Students cast eyes stateside

Studying abroad: Wise decision or not

Studying abroad was seen for long as a guarantee of a great job and a promising future. But that view no longer holds. A recent survey by the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing-based think tank, which polled 1,821 young people who had studied abroad, found about 40 percent of the returnees' monthly salaries to be below 6,000 yuan ($922), lower than the average monthly salary in Beijing of 9,942 yuan. Up to 68.9 percent of those polled acknowledged that their pay was below expectations.

The survey also showed that while the returnees enjoyed advantages over domestic students in terms of a global view, English-language proficiency and cross-cultural communication skills, they had a hard time fitting into the local job market.

Studying abroad is a universal plan B for those who don't have a better choice, but applicants who have an overseas education don't necessarily enjoy an edge in the job market, according to Feng Lijuan, a human resources expert at 51job.com. Some experts say in order for Chinese students to reap the benefits of studying abroad, they need to "be pushed out of their comfort zones".

But others believe the advantages returnees have should not be underestimated. Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience as the students have to deal with everything in a completely new environment.

"By adapting to, communicating with and understanding a different culture and people, students can change their attitude toward studying and life, which has a lasting impact on their careers and personal lives," says Xie Shaoyuan, marketing director of Education International Cooperation Group.

So, should students still go abroad to further their education despite the current low-income prospects?