Every year, more than 6 million people leave their home countries and take up residence in a foreign land - as international students. In France, which ranks fourth in the world for numbers of international students, one of the largest incoming groups is from China. 

Of the 370,000 international students currently enrolled in French universities, more than 29,000 are from China - just under 8 percent. Most of them are pursuing degrees in Business, Engineering and Computer Science.

While schools in Paris are most popular among Chinese students, smaller groups have taken up residence on campuses in areas like Provence or Brittany. Chinese students say the social norms, personal growth and studying at prestigious universities in France are all empowering.

For business Masters student Jiaxue Li, France was her top pick for its lifestyle, culture and affordable living. She believes it's cheaper than studying in the U.S. or UK - currently the two most popular destinations for Chinese international students. 

Having been studying in France for six years, the aspiring business analyst says there is a growing trend of parents sending their children abroad to further their studies. She understands why, as someone for whom finding a good school abroad had been the plan since high school. 

"At that time, you start thinking," recalls the 24-year-old. "Parents will encourage you more. The competition is very intense in China, people might want to change their style a little more."

Jiaxue is an only child and maintains regular contact with her family back home to stay motivated and avoid feeling lonely. But with no plans to return home for at least another two years, she hopes to land a job in France when she graduates in June.

She says her diverse friendship circle helps her mental health. Many of Jiaxue's Chinese friends have started to talk about the prospect of returning home in the next few years. Among the considerations Jiaxue has is how she will balance work and life, potentially starting a family one day.

For her, the French lifestyle is something she values most.

"I want to stay here for now," she says. "The work/life balance in China… It's a hot issue. For sure, everybody is very hard-working in my hometown."

Ying Ren is studying at EPF Engineering School. Established in 1925 as the École polytechnique féminine - hence the EPF - it's one of France's oldest engineering schools and was originally only for women. 

"A lot of girls, females, have their own ideas," Ying tells CGTN. "A lot of women can do better than me, I've trusted that for a long time. France is a good choice for women. There's a lot of power in the company, in society to support the women to do it herself."

Ying has been away from home since 2020, and doesn't have any plans of returning to her hometown outside of Beijing soon.

She recounts one incident of prejudice while she was walking the streets in the early days, after news broke of a coronavirus in China. But she brushes this off as an isolated incident, and she too finds comfort in a diverse friendship group and her love for her cat.

"After three years I really love France even though my French isn't very good and my English isn't good either," she smiles. "I love it here. Here, for example in a company where you work, you have a lot of power to protect yourself."

University campuses are routine stops for Chinese leaders on diplomatic visits to France recently.

In an era when visiting Chinese diplomats have prioritized people-to-people and cultural exchanges, overseas students are considered one of the foundations of successful relations between the two nations.

France's campus diaspora of Chinese students is widely held as the future of Sino-France relations.

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