I'm an American who studied at universities in China. The Chinese system was cheaper and set me up for success after graduation.

The author studied at two universities in China.

Courtesy of Catherine Work

• I studied at universities in both the US and China, first in 2015 and again in 2025.
• Experiencing Chinese higher education at two different times showed me how different the system is.
• The differences in cost, campus culture, and career pathways made me rethink American universities.

I've done something quite rare: I'm an American who attended college in both the US and China.

I...