This strategy addresses all ends of the chain from education agent certification, to institution quality control, to the consensus on and support for the IELTS testing system. It goes further also offering pathways to Vocational education, e.g. training in nursing and hospitality and then provides gateways to Higher Education at university.

What drew my attention was a stall by Fairhills High school in Knox, Melbourne, Victoria aimed at the senior high school market. I spoke to Karen that school's assistant Dean and she informed me that there were many advantages for parents sending a teenager to Australia at this age in terms of assimilation into the culture, language acquisition and attainment of an internationally recognized tertiary entrance score.

Karen from Knoxhill, Victoria speaking of the benefits of senior high school attendance

 

Elsewhere, away from the more prestigious well known booths the visitor at the expo could get information about study in Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Russia, Malaysia, Korea, the Philippines, India, Puerto Rico, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

The price for a standard 3m X 3m booth was RMB 20,000 and once you factor in the cost of flight, hotels, interpreters etc can be a bit restrictive for smaller, regional destinations that while being less famous, may actually offer the Chinese student a more fulfilling and unique experience.

My advice for parents and prospective students is to be creative and adventurous, look beyond the common and what you may find is a place that fully immerses you in the culture, gives you part time work opportunities and local friends that provide connections for life.

A young student I met called Slim said precisely that. He chose Spain because he believed so few people particularly Chinese were previously going there to study. When I asked if he could speak Spanish he said no, and for many this isn't a problem because a lot of overseas campuses are now offering courses in English.

Looking around at the event you could see many worried and exhausted parents. I spoke to Mr. Wang by the coffee shop who informed me his son was interested in studying abroad and the destination wasn't a major concern. He felt it was a credible option for enhancing his son's future and he was willing to support him whilst overseas, wherever.

At the doorway of a life determining decision, a student ponders the future

 

If I was 18 or 21 with so much on offer, and given the choice to study abroad, I am not sure I would be able to decide. Thinking back to the slogan of the event, "your multiple choices", I was reminded of what advice my teacher used to give when confronted by a question that you had no idea of answering confidently. "Just close your eyes, twirl your pen and whatever it lands on then, well, that's your answer."

Who knows, how many students from affluent Chinese families today are making such decisions when it comes to study abroad? Though with the help of events like this weekend's expo at least they'll have some knowledge of the place when they get there.

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set up shop – create a stall or presence to sell something

bright spark – an intelligent person

dress rehearsal – a practice demonstration for the real event

luring, to lure (vb.) – try to catch, try to get, e.g. the spider lured the fly into its web

with an eye to – looking to or thinking about the future, eg. With an eye to the 2008 Olympics, Brendan started running every morning preparing for the marathon event.

affluent – rich, wealthy.

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About the author:

Brendan John Worrell is currently a polisher for China Daily Website. He used to be a teacher and has taught at university and colleges in China, Australia and the UK and also at the high school and primary school level. In the field of writing Brendan has been published most recently in the Tiger Airways In-flight magazine ‘Tiger Tales’, writing about Hainan, Sanya, and in the upcoming issue the sister city relationship between Haikou and Darwin. He has also written travel articles for the Thai English Language Newspaper, The Bangkok Post and the Taiwanese English Language Newspaper, The Taipei Times. Brendan loves China, the Chinese spirit, his Chinese wife and the color red.  He can be contacted at brendanjohnworrell@chinadaily.com.cn.