Boston University's Chinese Student Enrollment Figures

Boston University is a popular choice for Chinese students, with 3,865 Chinese students enrolled in 2018. This number has been increasing over the years, with an average growth rate of 12.1%. In fact, Chinese students could account for as much as 11.8% of the entire student body and as much as 48.1% of the international student body at Boston University.

Popularity of Boston University with Chinese students

Boston University is a popular choice for Chinese students, with the country being one of the top three contributors to the international student body at the university. In 2018, there were 3,865 Chinese students enrolled at Boston University, making up 11.8% of the entire student body and 48.1% of the international student body.

Boston University is ranked 10th out of 1,079 colleges in the US for popularity with students from China. The university has seen a growth in the total Chinese student population on campus, with an average increase of 12.1% over the past few years.

The Chinese students at Boston University are diverse, ambitious, hardworking, and curious, with a strong sense of their Chinese identity. They are often the only children of their families, with parents who have worked hard to provide them with the best education possible. Many Chinese students see Boston University as a "dream school", offering a high-quality education and a chance to experience life in the United States.

Boston University offers a range of support services to help Chinese students transition to academic and social life in the US, including 31 international peer mentors and workshops on topics such as academic writing and job interviews. The university also offers a major in Chinese Language and Literature, providing students with the opportunity to acquire high-level proficiency in modern standard Chinese and classical Chinese, as well as a deep understanding of Chinese literature and culture.

Boston University's Chinese Students and Scholars Association (BUCSSA)

Boston University is a popular choice for Chinese students, with approximately 3,865 Chinese students enrolled in 2018. The Boston University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (BUCSSA) is a non-profit, student-run organisation that aims to promote academic and cultural exchanges among Chinese students and scholars, as well as with other communities and cultures. BUCSSA hopes to enhance communication, interaction, understanding, and friendship within the BU Chinese community, while also providing valuable work experience to its members.

BUCSSA is a response to the growing number of Chinese students at Boston University, with China being the largest contributor to the growth of international students at the university. In 2013, there were 42 Chinese students out of 4,131 freshmen, and in 2013, this number increased to 410 out of 3,807 freshmen. BUCSSA provides a sense of community and support for Chinese students, who may face challenges such as language barriers and adjusting to different educational styles.

The association is run by students and for students, with a focus on enhancing the experience of Chinese scholars at Boston University. BUCSSA is committed to fostering a sense of community and cultural exchange, ensuring that Chinese students feel welcomed and valued during their time at the university.

Chinese students' reasons for choosing Boston University

Boston University is a popular choice for Chinese students looking to study in the United States. In 2018, there were 3,865 Chinese students enrolled at the university, making up 11.8% of the entire student body and 48.1% of the international student body.

There are several reasons why Chinese students are choosing Boston University. Firstly, Boston University is a highly ranked university, and Chinese students and their families value education and see a degree from a prestigious university as a pathway to success. The university's reputation and brand name carry weight in China, and its rise in the U.S. News & World Report rankings is closely followed by prospective Chinese students and their parents.

Secondly, Chinese students are attracted to the high quality of education offered at Boston University. The university is ranked highly for providing an excellent educational experience to international students, and specifically to students from China. The university's emphasis on student responsibility for learning and exploration of individual power is appealing to Chinese students, who often come from a more rigid and exam-focused education system.

Thirdly, Boston University has a large international student population, with students from at least 50 countries represented on campus. This diversity offers Chinese students the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds, expanding their global perspective.

Additionally, Boston University has a strong Chinese community on campus, with the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (BUCSSA) providing support and guidance to Chinese newcomers. The association helps students with practical matters such as airport pickups, transportation to dorms, and guidance on visa requirements.

Lastly, Boston, as a city, holds appeal for Chinese students. It is known for its innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, with Boston University acting as an incubator for new ideas and technology. The city's rich history and cultural offerings also attract Chinese students who are eager to immerse themselves in a new environment.

In conclusion, Chinese students are drawn to Boston University for a combination of factors, including its academic reputation, diverse community, supportive Chinese student associations, and the appeal of the city of Boston itself.

Boston University's efforts to attract Chinese students

Boston University has been making efforts to attract Chinese students, and it shows. In 2013, there were 3,865 Chinese students enrolled at BU, making up 11.8% of the student body and 48.1% of the international student body.

The university has been actively working to make Chinese students feel welcome and comfortable. Here are some of the initiatives BU has implemented to attract Chinese students:

• Expanded panoply of services: English-improvement classes, writing seminars, workshops, and courses that introduce students to cultural customs and immigration procedures.
• Dining services: added 15 Chinese dishes to the monthly menu at residential dining halls, including Sichuan chili chicken and braised pork with bamboo shoots.
• Housing: BU Beijing Gateway Office was opened to help set on-campus expectations for Chinese students and assist applicants and their families in the application process.
• On-campus chefs: teamed up with the Culinary Institute of America for a 10-week authentic Asian cuisine training program.
• Orientation programs: BU Chinese Students and Scholars Association (BUCSSA) contacts incoming students before they arrive to arrange airport-to-dorm transit and runs orientation programs about culture and practical issues.
• Online orientation program: COM (College of Communication) is developing an online orientation program targeted at Chinese graduate students to help them prepare for the differences in educational style.
• International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO): partners with other offices to provide orientation workshops on adjusting to American education and culture.
• Visa assistance: BUCSSA uses social media to reach newcomers, offering to arrange airport pickups and transportation to dorms, and provides guidance on keeping track of visas and other travel documents.
• Social events: BUCSSA sponsors events such as the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, a traditional Chinese holiday celebration featuring music, dance, martial arts, and more.

Boston University's Chinese Language and Literature major

Like all World Languages & Literatures (WLL) majors, Chinese Language & Literature majors begin with CAS XL 100 Leaving Home: Explorations in World Literature, a team-taught course in which students meet the WLL faculty and get oriented in the rich diversity of the world’s literary traditions.

Students are required to complete at least three language courses beyond the fourth-term level (CAS LC 212). They also have the option to take introductory and advanced courses in Classical Chinese, with some courses taught in English and some in Chinese.

Four additional courses in Chinese language, literature, and/or culture are chosen to provide greater depth in areas of special interest to the student. One elective focusing on language, literature, or culture from outside of the Chinese-speaking world is also required to enhance regional, global and/or historical comparison.

Students then reconvene with all WLL majors in the senior capstone seminar CAS XL 479, where they work with a faculty mentor on a final project using Chinese-language materials. The course provides students with structure and research guidance for developing and discussing their projects, while meetings with a faculty language mentor hone students’ advanced language skills as applied to the area of their research.

Learning Outcomes

• Advanced knowledge of major themes and genres in Chinese literature and culture from the beginnings to contemporary film and new media.
• Critical thinking, communication, and writing skills within areas of content and cultural knowledge.
• Familiarity with fundamental research skills for Chinese studies, including the use of traditional and electronic sources.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension in Chinese at the intermediate-high level as measured by ACTFL guidelines.

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