5 reasons why studying in China is great for your career
Studying in China is worth it just for the experience – every day there are new sights to see, new foods to try and new adventures to have.
But what are the benefits for your CV?
We asked INTO China’s Rob Say to give us his top five reasons why studying in China can boost your future career.
1. You’ll learn a new language
It’s much easier to learn a new language when you’re exposed to it every day. Chinese is no different – in a couple of months you’ll have picked up the basics and within a year you’ll be able to hold a decent conversation.
It’s a very useful asset to have, considering that Chinese is spoken by a fifth of the world’s population. And as foreigners who speak it are rare, you’ll have a specialised skill.
2. You’ll have more opportunities
China’s economy is growing very quickly and there will be millions of new jobs opening up every year.
Foreign businesses are setting up bases in China every month and they need employees with relevant cultural knowledge.
But even if you don’t choose to actually live in China, your knowledge of the country could give you access to graduate opportunities in international companies.
3. You’ll make your CV stand out
Studying abroad consistently ranks as one of the top things that employers look out for.
Though living in China is definitely not as scary as you might think, adapting to a new culture does develop your confidence, independence and problem-solving skills.
Time spent studying in a whole new country will give your CV that added edge.
4. You’ll expand your professional network (Guanxi)
If you’re considering working in China in the future, you’ll need to spend time in the country building your ‘guanxi’ (network).
Studying in China will give you a chance to build friendships that could turn into professional connections in the future.
This is important, as in Chinese culture it’s quite common for jobs to be given to friends of friends, rather than through advertising.
5. You’ll have the chance to develop your business skills
The Chinese are well known for their tough negotiation skills and agile business minds.
So if you study on a relevant course in China, you’ll learn how to excel in business environments the world over. This will give you a competitive career advantage for years to come.
Rob it the Assistant Student Services Manager at INTO Nankai University. Want to find out more? Read about Jaila’s experiences of the Chinese classroom and Richard’s diary of being a UN youth delegate.
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