Michelle Obama is on a week-long visit in China along with her daughter
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama waves to a group of American school children who are visiting China during their spring break before they watch a Peking opera performance at the Summer Palace in Beijing, on Saturday. Photo- AP
Beijing: US First Lady Michelle Obama todaycalled on students in China to study abroad, saying it helps in understanding culture and languages of that country, and build bridges among people.
"Studying abroad is about so much more than improving your own future. It is about shaping the future of your countries and of the world we all share," Michelle said during her visit to Peking University here.
Michelle, with her daughters and mother, is on a week-long China visit. This is her first China visit and third foreign trip without the US president since moving into the White House.
She said relationships between nations are not just about relationships between governments or leaders but "they are about relationships between people, particularly our young people."
"By learning each other's languages and by showing such curiosity and respect for each other's cultures, you are building bridges of understanding that lead to so much more," Michelle said.
A record 8.19 lakh international students studied in the US varsities, of which 2.5 lakh are Chinese and about a lakh are Indians, as per the data made available by the Educational Exchange Data from Open Doors 2013 released by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
Michelle also reviewed US President Barack Obama's "100,000 Strong" initiative, a national effort to increase the number and diversity of American students studying in China.
China is currently the fifth most popular destination for Americans studying abroad, she said, adding the highest number of international students in the United States are from China.
She asked students to keep seeking study abroad experiences.
"Every day, you show the world your countries' energy, creativity, optimism and unwavering belief in the future."
Michelle, after the speech, joined a discussion between students of Peking and Stanford universities via a video link, where they discussed the impact of new media and technology on education.
She is on a visit to China on the invitation of Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, to give a new thrust to sagging ties between Beijing and Washington.
( Source : PTI )
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