Chinese Exchange Students Travel Across the Globe for a New High School Experience

On Bluemound Road in the small town of Wauwatosa, there is a building that houses 106 Chinese high school students. The Wisconsin International Academy (WIA) bought the former Days Inn in 2015 and transformed it into a dorm. Students attend six different private Catholic schools around the area.

Sophia Zhou is a senior at Dominican High School and arrived at WIA at just 13-years-old. Zhou was born in the Philippines after her parents migrated from China.

“I think I was pretty terrified, but I was more excited,” Zhou said.
“Traveling somewhere new is always exciting.”

The founder, Jian Sun, opened the business after noticing the growing trend of Chinese students coming to America to study, but with nowhere to stay said Sun. The students had schools to attend but nowhere to live and he knew a dorm is what was needed.

“Even though there was boarding schools, they’re not focused on the students from China.” Sun said.

Forty percent of international students in Wisconsin are Chinese, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Students come to improve their English and attend American universities. Studying in America is seen as prestigious in China and holds a higher status.

Every student has a reason for moving across the globe for high school. Ciel Mao is a senior at Pius XI High School. Her parents chose America for her to study in, and she chose Pius after researching art schools.

“I am born for American education system,” Mao said. “This experience teaches me to make my own decisions.”

Many Chinese students travel abroad to avoid Gaokao, an exam that determines your future in education. The exam is taken by every college student and leads to extreme stress and 15-hour study days.

“It decides your career, your marriage, even your social life.” Zhou said.

Students pay up to $40,000 a year in tuition and housing costs. For fluency in English and a higher status, the cost is worth it to parents. A majority of the student’s parents are business owners who give their children monthly allowances. Many WIA students walk around in Gucci, Prada and other luxury brands. They aren’t allowed to buy a car, but they spend hundreds in Ubers and train tickets.

The Wisconsin International Academy promises a “Total Care Package,” meaning hired student advisors take care of daily tasks. Student advisors take students to appointments, help with homework and make sure students are in their rooms at 10 p.m. There is also security 24/7 monitoring hallways and cameras. Students are separated by gender and live in a dorm-like setting with roommates.

For the first time since WIA’s beginning, enrollment numbers have started to drop, according to Sun. In 2017, 130 students were enrolled. Now there are 106. Sun sees this as a small bump in the road. 

“Its just like any business or any school,” Sun said.

“You adjust yourself and be creative and just follow the demands. I am very confident we will do better.”

It is unsure where the future will take these types of businesses, but for now Sun continues to be motivated.

“I felt like its worth it and it satisfies me because of what I do,” said Sun.
“When you see the children come here and the parents tearing about what you do, they really appreciate it.”