Trained in China, licensed in the US is possible now

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January 1, 2019 marks the 40th anniversary since China and the U.S. established diplomatic ties. Despite differences in areas like trade and economy, people from the two countries have been growing closer and closer.

Needless to say, the U.S. has long been a popular destination for Chinese students seeking higher education. In recent years, the U.S.-China educational exchanges are also becoming a "two-way street" with more Americans applying to Chinese universities. One example of American students studying in China is 18-year-old Keyana Nozzari Varkani who is attending a Chinese medical school.

Varkani is pursuing her medical degree at Shenyang Medical College in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Her parents have spent over two decades in the city, and Varkani decided to chase her dream career by getting her higher education in the family's second home. The 18-year-old told CGTN that becoming a doctor has been her dream since a young age.

Like her father, Varkani plans to return to her home country — the United States — after graduation. Her goal is to pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam, so she can practice medicine in English-speaking countries. And her training at Shenyang Medical College has her on the right track. After witnessing the abilities of Chinese doctors visiting the U.S., she is pretty confident.

More technology aids are being used in classes at Shenyang Medical College — such as a digital 3D program explaining human anatomy. /CGTN photo

"People will admit and recognize Chinese doctors nowadays, so it is getting easier for us to study in China," said Varkani.

Over 300,000 Chinese visit the U.S. for study or research every year, creating a workforce in fields demanding higher skills like medicine. Educators in China are also becoming more well-versed in helping international students succeed in China.

"Around medical students, much equipment is essential. In some laboratories, it is very advanced — we can make many important observations under good microscope and good computer," said Tian Wei, an associate professor from Shenyang Medical College.

Tian adds that medical schools in China are now more focused on training students with hands-on experience — a model preferred by the medical industry globally.

Americans in fact account for one of the highest percentages of international students in China. Many choose China due to their interest in the culture — and now, more of them like Varkani choose China due to their trust in schools here.