International education

Many Sino-US education programs have been established since China opened up its education sector following its World Trade Organization entry in 2001.

A growing number of Chinese are studying in the US, while many US schools like New York and Duke universities are operating joint ventures in China that are independent legal entities approved by the country's Ministry of Education.

Zuo Hancheng applied to the New York University Shanghai when he was in high school in 2015.

"China needs more business professors with systematic training and international vision," the 21-year-old business and finance major says.

"I value New York University's business resources and liberal arts education."

NYU Shanghai graduates receive two degrees-the NYU bachelor's degree and the NYU Shanghai diploma.

Zuo says NYU Shanghai's programs offer a good mix of Chinese and global experience.

Last year, he participated in the Hyperloop One Global Challenge competition sponsored by Hyperloop One, a US company working to develop the futuristic transportation technology.

He served as a co-leader in charge of government and policy research.

His team's design in the competition was a high-speed transport system, a magnetic corridor to run between Shanghai and Hangzhou, and focused on the Hyperloop's social and environmental impacts.

Zuo says the English-language environment, interdisciplinary approach, diverse student body and high academic standards are preparing him to study overseas later.

The NYU Shanghai also offers study-abroad programs that last for a semester or more.

Zuo is currently taking classes in New York.

"So many Chinese and American universities have these exchange programs, or dual-degree programs, that open up many more opportunities for students to study abroad," Chandler says.

"It adds to the number of undergraduate students."