There are two ways of overseas study: studying abroad directly, or enrolling in foundation courses first and then going abroad. So here comes the question: which one is better for high school graduates who are not mature enough and lacking in social experience?

    Journalists interviewed parents of five students from the International Academy, who respectively graduated last year and this year. By virtue of the unique international cooperative education platform of their alma mater, these five students studied three years at home first and then went abroad for a bachelor degree. Quite many parents said that the International Academy did provide a more complete set of learning pattern for students preparing to study abroad.

The five students respectively are:

     Li Manlin  Class of 2006, Finance major from the International 

     Academy, Xiamen University, who has finished the final-year 

courses in University of the West of England and is studying for a 

master’s degree.

     Ding Shiqin  Class of 2007, Finance major from the International 

Academy, Xiamen University, who is a senior in University of Hull.

     Yang Zheng  Class of 2007, International Trade major from the

     International Academy, Xiamen University, who is a senior in 

Middlesex University.

     Hu Bin    Class of 2007, International Trade major from the 

     International Academy, Xiamen University, who is a senior in 

De Montfort University.

     Guan Xiong  Class of 2008, art design major from the

     International Academy, Xiamen University, who is a sophomore in 

University of Southampton.

Domestic education is a good transitional period

Journalist: What do you think of this mode of overseas study, namely, studying at home first and then going abroad?

Ding Shiqin’s father: It has several advantages. Firstly, it’s more economical as it saves the cost of three years’ overseas study. Secondly, studying abroad after three years’ domestic education gives students who just graduate from high school a transitional period to adjust themselves. Thirdly, different from domestic universities, this kind of teaching mode can broaden students’ horizon greatly.

Guan Xiong’s mother: Some parents choose to send their children abroad after high school while some may choose after college. Nowadays, most Chinese children are the only child, therefore, they are often spoiled by their parents. (The Art Design Program) The mode of two years’ domestic education plus two years’ abroad is good, because it can avoid some defects of studying abroad directly. As no disconnection occurs between domestic and overseas education, students can adapt themselves to western education better. Meanwhile, no big difference exists in study, so students won’t find it hard to catch up and give up. In general, domestic education is a good transitional period in which both parents and students can gain a new insight into western education, and students themselves can change from cramming learning to initiative thinking.

Li Manlin’s father: This mode is pretty excellent, as it offers a platform for students and doesn’t cost much.

Yang Zheng’s father: It’s very nice. To start with, it’s money-saving. It will cost 300,000 to 400,000 yuan to obtain a master’s degree if children study first for three years in the International Academy and then study abroad for two years. Whereas, it will cost more than one million yuan if they study language abroad directly after high school and then go for a master’s degree. Undoubtedly, it can save hundreds of thousands of yuan. In addition, during the three-year domestic education, children will be mature and learn to take care of themselves as well as improve their English. As for high school graduates who are young and inexperienced with poor English, it will worry their parents a lot to send them abroad directly. Lastly, it’s of more advantage for children to seek employment in foreign-owned enterprises if they study abroad for one or two years and obtain a diploma of Britain.

Journalist: How do you like the overseas study program from the International Academy? Why would your child choose it?

Guan Xiong’s mother: Considering British profound cultural background, it will be of great benefit for his future art life to stay there some time. The choice of the art design program in University of Southampton is nothing more than his interest. And we support his decision because his interest matters most, with which he will study enthusiastically. Moreover, our biggest wish is to see him happy and healthy.

Li Manlin’s father: (CSCSE-SQA HND) The three-year domestic education is a transition and no language problem will occur after a stay in the UK.

Yang Zheng’s father: This program (CSCSE-SQA HND) only takes five years to obtain a master’s degree, which is really time-saving.

Interest and market demand should be taken into consideration when choosing a major.

    Journalist: Are you satisfied with your kid’s school and major chosen by themselves?

    Ding Shiqin’ s father: Yes, I believe overseas study will make them more independent and benefit them a lot in their future development.

    Guan Xiong’s mother: pretty satisfied, I hope he can learn what he likes and his study will be pleasant and exciting.

    Yang Zheng’s father: Her school is in London, where life is convenient as well as its transportation so that we can visit her at any time. To a large extent, I’m satisfied with her school and major. I told my kid to take the market demand into account when choosing a major.

Children are more fluent in English and better in their performance.

    Journalist: What progresses have your child made during the study in the International Academy?

    Hu Bin’s father: During that time, both mentors and teachers were very responsible. My child has become more independent and has achieved great progresses.

    Ding Shiqin’s father: These three years of study has made her more mature both in life and studies, which lays a better foundation for her future development.

    Guan Xiong’s mother: My child has turned from immature to mature after the two-year study, meanwhile he’s more obedient and independent now.

    Li Manlin’s father: My child has learnt a lot and her English will be good after studying abroad for a period. In general, this mode is very good.

    Yang Zheng’s father: My daughter has achieved noticeable progresses in English after the three-year study in International Academy. Moreover, she has also held the post of the director of the Arts Department and organized various activities, which enhanced her personal ability greatly.

Most of them intend to come back to China after post graduate studies.

    Journalist: What is your child's study plan abroad?

    Hu Bin's father: My child intends to go on post graduate study after finishing the final year of regular college course abroad. We hope that he could major in economics.

    Ding Shiqin's father: My child is bound to come back after post graduate study. We would urge her to work harder for a better university during post graduate period.

    Guan Xiong's mother: I hope that my child could make constant progresses in his study. If possible, we hope he come back with a master's degree, or even a doctor's degree.

    Yang Zheng's father: My child is leaving for Britain in August. I plan to ask her to choose another foreign language, best be a minority language. After regular college course, she would go on post graduate study. Then she is scheduled to work in Britain for one or two years to gain some experience before coming back to China. The priorities abroad are to enhance language and management competence and perfect professional abilities. From my view, those who go abroad should stay hungry for study, combine what they learn with their major and value practice.

    Journalist: How is your child’s study abroad? Are there any further plans after finishing the regular college courses?

    Li Manlin’s father: My child majoring in Accounting &Finance finished her final year of regular college course in University of the West of England. During that year abroad, she became very independent. As Chinese education mode is cramming while it’s enlightening in Britain. The latter cultivates a sense of time, thus propelling her into learning. Sometimes she studied so attentively that she forgot the time and was even locked in the library. Now she has already finished her regular course study and is now waiting for the final scores. She wants to continue her post graduate study there and then come back to China, seeking employment in other cities.