Chinese students volunteer in Africa to help their chances of getting admitted to a US university
Study abroad programs have been popular for decades in Western universities, and even in some high schools where students spend a semester living and studying in a foreign country. In China's rigid educational system, though, where rote memory and testing are the norm, the idea that a student would interrupt their academic program for some kind of international experience was unheard of until recently.
However, now a growing number of well-to-do Chinese families are opting to send their children to schools in the United States where the competition for admission at prestigious universities is fierce. So to help give their children an edge they turn to any of the thousands of admissions consulting firms in China that aim to help students get in to a top school.
One such firm, Beijing-based AIC, is now offering a study abroad program in Ghana for Chinese high school students. The China Ghana Changemaker Program was co-founded by AIC educational adviser Francis Miller who recently accompanied the first class of seven PRC students to Accra. Francis joins Eric & Cobus to discuss more about the growing popularity of Chinese overseas studies in Africa and the moral pitfalls of these kinds of "voluntourism" programs.
Join the discussion? Are you encouraged that more Chinese young people are joining Western students to volunteer in Africa where they come to learn and supposedly help local communities or do you think this is just the latest evolution of the "white savior" complex. Tell us what you think.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject
Twitter: @eolander | @stadenesque
Chinese Tourism Scientist ☆ Equestrian ☆ Public Speaker
8 年Tell me...which Africans are on volunteer missions in China to eventually gain access to American IVY League education? Didn't think so. Africans stop feeling so damn sorry for yourselves. Others are reaping BIG benefits off YOU! Chinese people are raised to secure a future for themselves. Not for Africans. Never!
Senior Supervisor of Bidvest Protea Coin at Fedex GTW
8 年I don't believe that, those people are here to make money but I blame African Union, if the are here to gain a citizenship to united state why do the choose Africa instate of going all over the world, why don't they pay enough when the open a company, those people are here to gain finish and klaar
chicken whisperer?voice-in-the-wilderness?the thinking man's circular knitting machine mechanic
8 年I think that it is great that the Chinese are there along with American, Canadian, and other students. Let them get to know each other and learn to work together for a better world. Surely, right now, we could use to latch onto any positive signs that we can find. If the next generation can learn to work together to make a better world, then maybe they will be able to help us get out of this hole we are digging for ourselves.
Chinese Tourism Scientist ☆ Equestrian ☆ Public Speaker
8 年Chinese never (and l mean never) volunteer for nothing. Africans still ain't getting it. Chinese presence in Africa is ultimately for financial gain. Plain and simple. Chinese humanitarianism to darker races will NEVER happen. There's always a hidden agent. Always.
Electrical Engineer +15 Years Experience SCHEMATIC DWG'? ' WIRING DWG ' BLOCK DWG ' PICTORIAL DWG ' PANEL DWG ' SLD' E LAYOUT DWG ' Coordination DWG ' ' SLD' FEED'? PFD' and PID &? ?P&ID ' IV ' Loop DWG
8 年#Awesome_African