An increasing number of American students are opting to pursue their undergraduate studies in China, with Duke Kunshan University in Jiangsu province reporting that approximately 35 percent of its international first-year student body originates from the United States. This group now constitutes the largest portion of the university’s international students, reflecting a growing interest among American undergraduates in educational opportunities abroad.

John Quelch, executive vice-chancellor and American president of Duke Kunshan University, noted that international applications, particularly from the U.S., continue to rise. He emphasized that educational exchange remains one of the most resilient and promising channels for fostering ties between the two countries. Quelch highlighted that the experience of studying in China provides American students with valuable cross-cultural understanding, critical thinking skills, and a broadened global perspective that can enhance their future careers.

For some students, the decision to study in China represents the fulfillment of long-held ambitions. Sisters Sara and Alejandra Salazar, originally from Wisconsin and raised in Houston, Texas, had dreamed of coming to China since childhood. Having attended a Mandarin immersion school in Houston, the sisters embraced the opportunity to live and study in Kunshan with their parents. Both are involved in the university’s women’s basketball team, where a near-equal mixture of Chinese and international teammates fosters friendships and cultural exchange. After graduating in 2028, the sisters plan to continue their studies in China, aiming to attend prominent institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, or Fudan University. They also describe navigating daily life in a foreign country without their parents speaking Mandarin as a significant learning experience.

Other students cited practical reasons for their choice. Birkley Grunewald, a sophomore from Chattanooga, Tennessee, explained his interest in China’s development and the shared economic weight of the United States and China in the global economy as key factors. He acknowledged initial skepticism within his family about studying so far from home, though they have since shown support.

For Caleb Leonard, a second-year student from Tucson, Arizona, the decision emerged from a standard application question about Duke Kunshan University. Having studied Chinese for over a decade, Leonard was drawn by the opportunity to earn dual degrees from Duke University and Duke Kunshan. His family, initially unfamiliar with China, visited the campus and were impressed by its infrastructure, safety, cleanliness, and the welcoming attitudes of faculty and locals. Leonard acknowledged misunderstandings on both sides of the Pacific but stressed the importance of overcoming stereotypes through education.

Quelch underscored that the appeal of Duke Kunshan lies not in replicating the Duke University experience in the United States but in offering a high-quality, internationally focused education with interdisciplinary curricula. Students benefit from studying at campuses in both China and the U.S., earning two degrees, engaging closely with faculty, and immersing themselves in Chinese culture. He described education as a long-lasting form of diplomacy that can help bridge gaps between the two nations amid broader geopolitical challenges.