'Inspired me'

"This trip definitely inspired me to learn much more about China and its history," said Elliott. "Most likely, I will be encouraged to keep learning and watching what is happening in China, because now, in a way, I have a tie or a bond with China."

For Elliott, who had never left home in Iowa, she acknowledged missing her family and friends during that month in China.

"It was hard to be away from everyone that long; however, I am glad that there were others there from my school that went along," she said.

For Keliher, life in Beijing was not always pleasant. "The pollution was terrible. I enjoy running outside and was unable to do so," she said, adding that on some days several students with asthma had difficulty breathing.

Describing the NYU program in Shanghai as well-run, Lee hoped there could be a better integration of Chinese and American students so she would feel less isolated as a "foreign student."

Kirk Martin, director of the Chinese Cultural Exchange Program at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, said while students' previous experience with China and the Chinese language is far greater than it has ever been, many students still have a sense that studying in China is much more challenging personally and academically than studying elsewhere, especially in English-speaking countries.

Martin said there are more Drake University students studying Chinese language and studying in China than ever before. While Drake still does not have a Chinese major, it has developed a variety of programs about China both on and off campus.

At GWU in Washington, a few more than 100 students study in China each year while 1,000 take Chinese classes, according to McCord.

McGiffert of the 100 Thousand Strong Foundation said the Chinese government and universities have made great efforts to increase the number of English classes for American students so they can take intensive Mandarin and keep up other course work.

The foundation is launching an ambassador program for young Americans who have studied in China to talk about why the experience has been life transforming for them.

"We are also working at the state and local level with governors and mayors on how to better integrate Mandarin learning," McGiffert said.

She believes as Americans improve their Chinese language skills, there will be more American students going to China for one year or one semester programs.

Besides increasing the number of students studying in China, the foundation is also emphasizing diversity to ensure that students from under-represented communities and racial and ethnic minorities can take advantage of the opportunity to study in China.

20,000 scholarships

The US government and universities offer various scholarships to study in China. McGiffert said the US is grateful to the Chinese government for providing 20,000 scholarships to American students to study in China under the 100,000 Strong Initiative.

The foundation's annual conference on Nov 21 at American University in Washington, its hosting school, will bring together some 200 people from think tanks, schools, businesses and government to highlight the importance of US-China relations and investing in the young generation.

Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong will both address the conference, which coincides with the Fourth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange to be held in Washington.

McGiffert noted that it is nearing the fourth anniversary of Obama's announcement of sending 100,000 American students to study in China. "The relationship is too critical to leave anyone out," she said.

Contact the writer at chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com

(China Daily USA 11/08/2013 page20)