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Shanghai now is attracting more and more Chinese professionals and academics from overseas, with visions of new prosperity in their home country. But some are hesitant, especially those with young children who know little about their parents' land of birth. The city's education authority has launched a concerted effort to ease parental worries about the language difficulties and culture shock that their children may face when they leave the West for Shanghai.
20 years ago, Jin Ruxiang went to the United States to pursue a Ph.D degree. He moved back to Shanghai last year and is now a principal engineer at an international telecommunications company here. But his wife, his 11－year－old son and 6－year－old daughter are still in America. Ever since he returned, Dr. Jin has been busy looking for schools for his children. The search has proven difficult.
Jin said "My children grew up in the US, and have a different language and cultural background than local kids here. They won't be able to catch up with others in local schools, as they are used to a much more relaxed learning system."
The Shanghai Personnel Bureau reports that more than 32,000 people have come back to the city after years of overseas education and work experience. The number accounts for 1/5 of the nation's total, and continues to rise. Some 70％ of these people are in their mid－30s to 40s, and have school－age children.
Wang Weimao,an official of Shanghai Personnel Bureau, said, "Finding a good school for their children is a big concern for overseas returnees. In some cases, it has become THE factor that holds back parents from returning."
Currently, there are two types of schools in Shanghai that attempt to meet the demands. There are 19 foreign－owned, western－style schools, which primarily serve the needs of children with foreign passports. There are also 71 local schools with international divisions for foreign kids and children of overseas returnees.
And just recently, two local private schools dedicated one class each as test units for kids of overseas returnees, with English－speaking local teachers in charge. Interviews are under way for admission to the fall semester. Yet, despite the increasing number of such schools, problems remain.
Jin said, "Foreign－owned schools are too expensive and it's hard for the kids to learn the Chinese language and culture there. Local schools with bilingual classroom settings are more affordable. But I doubt whether my kids can acquire substantial English writing skills in order to attend a good US college later on."
With Shanghai's rapid economic and social development, even more overseas Chinese will be considering a return to their homeland. And while problems for their children concerning language and culture may make them hesitate now, authorities are hopeful that ongoing improvements in the educational system will convince more of China's sons and daughters to bring their talents back home.
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