The number of Pakistani students in China has risen from 9,630 in 2013 to 25,000 in 2020. This is mainly because of a series of preferential policies after the launch of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). China has become a popular destination for international students particularly Pakistanis for studying the Chinese language, science and technology.

My experience as a Pakistani student in China is of five years as a medical student at the Hebei North University in the city of Zhangiakou. The admission process is easy and there is no entrance examination. The expense of living in china is very low especially due to affordable transport. The universities in China have the most eligible faculty and are equipped with extraordinary technologies for teaching in addition to modern equipment in hospitals. Above all, the tuition fee is lower compared to other international institutes and scholarships are easily available. Together, these factors make enrolling in a Chinese university very attractive.

One of the best attributes of the Chinese academics is that they are very helpful and accommodative towards foreigners, making them feel completely at home. Some people assume that living in China would be hard for a desi, especially on account of their food choices, however I found many restaurants in my vicinity that served halal food.

China is becoming an increasingly popular destination for students from around the world, with the proportion of student approximately doubling over the past ten years. MBBS, is one of the most popular degree programmes among Pakistani students due to its affordability and the easy admission process.

The author is a graduate of the Hebei North University in Zhangjikou, China