For years, a U.S. degree was seen in China as a “golden ticket” to prestigious jobs and elite opportunities. But today, thousands of Chinese students who pursued education abroad are finding that shifting geopolitics is eroding the value of their costly investment.
The Trump administration’s threat of mass visa cancellations earlier this year — later paused after a June phone call between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping — deepened uncertainty for students in the United States. Many fear losing their status overnight, while others already caught in restrictions have been forced to abandon their American dreams.
At the same time, attitudes inside China are changing. Employers, particularly in state-backed industries, increasingly treat foreign-educated graduates with suspicion. Instead of rewarding international experience, companies now prefer homegrown talent whose training is seen as more politically reliable. That shift has left many returning students caught in limbo: targeted abroad, yet shunned at home.
Barry Lian, a 24-year-old graduate from southeastern China, spent three years studying in the United States and once dreamed of a Wall Street career. But last July, his student visa was revoked under a Trump-era policy targeting Chinese nationals from universities linked to China’s military. Stranded at home during a summer internship, he was forced to compete in China’s hyper-competitive job market.
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Lian applied to more than 70 roles at state-run banks and financial firms, but most applications did not even pass initial screenings. “There are likely political sensitivities at play,” he said, asking that his university not be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject.
He believes his U.S. studies not only blocked entry into government-related sectors but also made private employers wary. “Being caught up in the dispute between the two countries just left you helpless,” Lian said. After months of rejections, he finally secured an offer in March from a private investment firm in Shanghai.
His story reflects a broader dilemma for Chinese students abroad. Families continue to pay hefty tuition fees, but graduates now face a reality where foreign degrees may no longer guarantee the rewards they once promised.