The Brown & White

The number of Chinese students enrolling and applying to Lehigh is on the rise.

Chinese student enrollment at Lehigh increased by 300 percent and Chinese students' application rate increased by 72 percent this fall, according to the admissions office.

Administrators said the increase is a result of Lehigh's reputation and recent commitment to diversity.

"It's making a more diverse population, which Lehigh desperately needed," said Connie Cook, professor of Chinese and Asian studies, director of the Lehigh in Shanghai program and advisor to the Chinese Cultural Club.

"The implications are huge if the trend continues," said Neil McGurty, director of the Study Abroad office. "They are shocking numbers when you look at how many Chinese nationals are coming here to study, especially for the sciences," he said.

Jason Keung, '09, president of the Chinese Cultural Club, said he believes the increase in Chinese students is simply a larger part of the diversity effort at Lehigh.

"I think more Chinese just happen to be coming," Keung said.

Julie Suen, '10, an American student of Chinese descent, said Lehigh's diversity initiative may appeal to Chinese students.

"I know that Lehigh is trying to diversify campus and I definitely noticed that there are more Asian students around campus," she said.

Cook said the increase is largely due to the reputation and teaching styles of American universities.

"The U.S. has an edge in international education," Cook said. "We have a reputation for being innovative and encouraging critical thinking."

Cook said this is appealing to the Chinese, whose education is primarily based on memorization.

Cook said Chinese students look to America because English is the primary language in global business.

"They still come here for science and engineering," Cook said. "There is tremendous pressure for them to succeed."

Cook said there is a heavy emphasis on education in the Chinese culture, and that the "one child" policy of China causes families to concentrate all of their income to their only child's education.

Cook said since the Cultural Revolution of the 1970s, China's political and economic structure was changed to facilitate and encourage more wealth. The result has been a rising middle class, which Cook said may explain why more Chinese can afford to send their children abroad.

Once at Lehigh, however, Chinese students face particular difficulties including a language barrier and cultural shock.

Keung said people view Chinese students differently because they don't speak English as well.

"I think the biggest difficulty is the language barrier," said Aishuang Xiang, a Chinese graduate student and president of the Chinese Student Scholar Association. "It is hard to work around."

Xiang said though Chinese students try to integrate, they sometimes "give up" because of the language barrier.

Cook said there are not enough efforts among the Lehigh community to integrate and mutually understand international students, particularly the Chinese.

"There is an arrogance among Americans that can rub people the wrong way," she said.