50% Chinese students plan to stay after graduation; 25% plan to start own business
One in Five Chinese International Students in Canada Pursues a Business Dream
APF and SUCCESS release — Chinese students represent 15% of Canada’s annual intake of international students, which forms the largest visible ethnic group studying in Canada. A survey on the intentions among Chinese international students after graduating in Canada was commissioned by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development and conducted by Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. (full report here.)
Main findings of the study:
- China is currently the second-largest source country of international students entering Canada annually. Chinese students are the largest group among all international students studying in Canada.
- Nearly a quarter (28%) of all respondents report that they plan to return to China, half (51%) indicate that they would like to stay in Canada, and 14% intend to go to another country after graduation from a Canadian school.
- The majority of those who plan to return to China intend to work, as do those who plan to stay in Canada. Those who plan to go to another country will do so mainly for the purpose of further education.
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program seems popular among most Chinese students in Canada, especially for those study permit holders who also have an intention to stay in Canada. 44% of all respondents have applied for or have an intention to apply for permanent residence under the CEC.
- Chinese international students who have not yet graduated are significantly more likely to stay in Canada than those who have graduated.
- Chinese students who studied or are studying in British Columbia are more likely to stay in Canada and apply for the CEC than their peers who study in other provinces.
- Nearly one in five respondents has an intention to start their own business either in Canada or in China while some 31-35% of respondents have no interests at all in business. The majority (45%-48%) are potential entrepreneurs if an opportunity occurs, regardless of whether they are in Canada or in China.
- Male students are significantly more business oriented and have stronger intentions than females to start a business, whether in Canada or in China.
- Chinese students in Canada have shown diversified business interests. Finance, ICT and green technology, energy-saving related environmental businesses are sectors that Chinese students are interested in the most.
- Lack of capital funds, lack of knowledge about starting a new business, and lack of market information are perceived by respondents the top three barriers preventing them from starting up or advancing their own business.
- Nearly 60% of respondents are interested in learning more about government assistance programs in Canada for business start ups.
The primary goal of the survey was to understand the interests of the Chinese international students and the barriers they face upon completion of their study in Canada. The survey results demonstrated that a significant portion of the respondents intended to start their own business in either Canada or China. Nearly 50% of the students expressed interests in becoming entrepreneurs if business opportunities arise.
The results provided evidence of strong business interests among Chinese international students. However, lack of capital funds, lack of knowledge about starting a new business and lack of market information are the top three barriers preventing them from starting up their own business.
“It is important to retain and leverage this group of highly educated talents. They have language capacities and are nurtured by both eastern and western cultures. Canada needs them to further develop our economic ties with overseas. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development provides consultation and training programs to help them realize business ideas,” said Eliza Chang, Project Director, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development.
“Given the fact that Chinese students are the largest group among all international students studying in Canada, this is a group which will have significant impacts on the people-to-people relations between Canada and China,” said Kenny Zhang, Senior Project Manager of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. “With their diversified business interests after graduation in Canada, we can expect greater business opportunities between the two countries in the years ahead“, Zhang added.
Tags: Asia Pacific Foundation, Canada-China relation, Chinese international studentsRelated posts
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Lack of capital funds, lack of knowledge about starting a new business and lack of market information but still they want to start a new business.
They are brave or naive? Rich kids and their rich parents.
YELLOW PERIL ALERT: If these students would read some of the comments from the CBC board: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/05/13/china-penn-west.html#socialcomments
They would know how welcomed the Chinese are in Canada.
When I read comments like these, it makes me more committed to the idea of a United Chinese Diaspora.
ChinkTalk, now you understand why I actively encourage my fellow HK immigrants to go back to HK? This is a White racist regime called Canada.
And you know what? The best part is, despite their racial hate, these White criminals want MONEY from us, don’t they? They gladly rob us for their benefit.
ChengFan, a United Chinese Diaspora is the answer.
ChinkTalk,
Don’t forget that we should also join hands with the native Aboriginals to form a much bigger front, which Bill Chu has been working on all these years.
Kreatol, you are right, the Canadian Aboriginals and the Canadian Chinese have a historical bond through shared miseries in enduring discrimination, marginalization, and hatred, with the Aboriginals taking the blunt more than the Chinese. Chinatowns are softer versions of Native reservations.
ChinkTalk and Kreatol,
Explain to me why white people would give a sh*t about it?
White people are interested in immigrant’s FOREIGN currency.
—->They have no desire to share their vested iinterest with anyone on Canadian soil.
How do you fight THAT?
To the immigrant’s, well, that’s not what we signed up for. We didn’t emigrate here just to fight in this perpetual racial war with the criminal Whites.
50% plan to stay, eh? Just wait until the Chinese students realize that 50% of their earnings will be taxed. uh… wait, more than 50% in taxes when the HST kicks in.
Welcome to Canada!
UGLY Chinese Canadian,
Those people who can AFFORD to stay, they are already driving luxury cars to school and spending good money here.
Do you understand now?