100,000 Strong Initiative

For those of you who have been inspired to study in China, a good place to start collecting information is the "100,000 Strong Initiative." The mission of the initiative is as follows:

"Citing the strategic importance of the U.S.-China relationship, in November 2009, President Barack Obama announced the “100,000 Strong” initiative, a national effort designed to increase dramatically the number and diversify the composition of American students studying in China. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton officially launched the initiative in May 2010 in Beijing. The Chinese government strongly supports the initiative and has already committed 10,000 “Bridge Scholarships” for American students to study in China.

This initiative seeks to prepare the next generation of American experts on China who will be charged with managing the growing political, economic and cultural ties between the United States and China. The initiative also seeks to develop specific opportunities and funding sources for underrepresented students to study in China." http://www.state.gov/p/eap/regional/100000_strong/index.htm

Opportunities exist for high school students, undergraduate, graduates and doctoral-level students to study in China. You may have to do a bit of digging around, but the 100,000 Strong web site also gives other resources to investigate. For college students, definitely visit your International Studies Office for more information. I would love for some of you to be able to experience China...and I look forward to reading your blogs!

Peggy