PURPOSES VARIES

According to a blue book on global study tours released by New Oriental Education & Technology Group, expanding children's horizons was the major goal for parents, while improving language skills, experiencing independence and exploring cultural diversities were also popular.

Zhan Fuman, a 14-year-old from Guangzhou, currently on a 15-day study tour in Australia with a price tag of 32,800 yuan (about 4,870 US dollars), went to the United States for her first overseas study tour last winter.

"She has been much more confident and independent since her first tour in the US and learnt to use knowledge from books and real life communications," said Zhu Wanxia, Zhan's mother.

Going on a study tour does not lead to going to a foreign university in the future, Zhu said, adding that they preferred their child to go to a top Chinese university instead.

According to Chiu, only half of students in their study tour programs went abroad for higher education.

"Some parents consider staying in China as a better choice for their children, and such overseas study tours are more about qualities beyond learning by the books," said Chen Jingjing, Joe's co-worker from English First.

According to China's Ministry of Education (MOE), over 80 percent of Chinese students who studied abroad returned to China in 2016.

CHINA'S NEED OF TALENTS

Being the world's second largest economy, China is hungry for talent in all aspects.

According to the "Outline of China's National Plan for Medium and Long-Term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020)" issued by the MOE in July 2010, China called for more international communication and cooperation in order to give the country's young men and women international horizons, making them better understand international rules, and join the world's competition.

The MOE also encourages primary and middle schools to put short study tours in student curricula.

Other than sending Chinese students abroad, China also welcome overseas professionals to visit the country.

In 2008, China launched a national recruitment program for top global talent, called the "Thousand Talent" program, as part of efforts to become an innovation-driven economy. The program encourages overseas Chinese and foreign professionals to work in China.