There’s something curious about the way international students are viewed in America, especially at elite boarding schools like Deerfield: no one ever stops them and asks them truly why they are here. Americans have accepted international students on their campuses as an unquestionable norm. Their unspoken assumption (rooted in American Exceptionalism) is that, of course international students would want to be here. Why wouldn’t they?
The United States has long projected itself as the “city on a hill” for education and opportunity. American universities occupy the highest global rankings and host the largest number of international students. As a Chinese student at Deerfield, I’ve noticed that very few students question why I chose America to finish my high school education. This assumption glosses over the agency of Chinese international students, exposing a blind spot in how Americans perceive their educational institutions and the role of said institutions in the wider world.
In reality, international students are active participants in a more complex—and frankly more interesting—exchange of soft power. Coined by American political scientist Joseph Nye, soft power shapes the perception of others through attraction rather than coercion through a country’s culture or values. For decades, American education has been one of its most potent soft-power tools. International students come, experience American values and democracy firsthand, and leave with an appreciation for its ideals. They return to their home countries almost as unofficial ambassadors, helping to spread those values abroad. However, the hidden narrative here is how international students shape the cultural landscape of American campuses through introducing our own ideas, values, and ways of thinking to American students. Speaking directly to my identity as a Chinese international student, this two-way exchange is an underappreciated form of diplomacy, and in an era of fraught U.S.-China relations, it’s perhaps more critical than ever. In light of the presidential elections, both candidates have adopted a hostile attitude towards China, framing it as the primary threat to America, stating that the war with China must be won.
During such an important election year where China plays such a big role behind U.S. policies, students should be aware of the soft power international students bring – foreign politics happens in front of their eyes each day. Perhaps it’s the way a Chinese student responded when watching the presidential debate with their friends in the dorm, a multicultural friendship, a bowl of Chinese noodles shared, or a class discussion, Chinese international students can impact American students’ perception of China. This could perhaps bring in more positive narratives that advocate for the collaboration between the two nations, rather than the current zero-sum mindset. As internationalization specialist Aicha Adoui echoes in her book International Higher Education and the Rise of Soft Power as Cultural Diplomacy: “In addition to promoting cultural diplomacy and contributing to global understanding, international higher education can also contribute to a country’s nation branding and position in international relations.” Thus, simple everyday interactions between students are shaping the tone of international relations.
In order to get more of a grasp on Deerfield’s conscious decisions on this topic, I interviewed Head of School Dr. Austin. Dr. Austin pointed out that we have a very unique and important opportunity as a boarding school to have a diverse student body with people across the state, nation, and globe something that would be difficult to accomplish at a day school. One interesting statistic that Dr. Austin brought up was the “6 question pulse survey” sent out to the student body in recent years. Though the majority of students responded that they are eager to interact with perspectives different from their own, only a small fraction of students expressed comfort in expressing their own opinions. This oxymoron raises attention to an important issue that plagues Deerfield and the broader national trend of America today – the growing reluctance to engage in open and honest dialogue despite the pressing need for these discussions. Current polarization and political sensitivity amplify these effects to the maximum. Overcoming his gap must be one of Deerfield’s priorities in order for its students to engage deeply with its diverse student body. This is an opportunity to learn something when people think differently from you, and when the conversation truly becomes important and interesting. Dr. Austin illustrated that Deerfield has already intentionally built spaces within the school where students can interact with people and perspectives different from their own – sitdown, dorms, co-currics, classrooms. For example, my U.S.-China Relations class could not have been possible elsewhere. In our class, we have diverse perspectives from Mainland China, Taiwan, America, Europe, and Africa. Most times, I find myself disagreeing with the opinions of my classmates, but that leads me to understand more complex international relations.
Furthermore, Americans should be encouraged to study in China—not merely as SAIS tourists of culture but as engaged participants in its academic, social, and political life. Currently, far more Chinese students study in the U.S. than American students in China, that power balance further exacerbated by Covid-19 (China only had about 350 American students in 2023). I was overjoyed to see Deerfield hosting a summer Center for Service and Global Citizenships trip to China. A former American international student in China’s Nanjing-Hopkins Southern Association of Independent Schools program—Amy Celico –told me that she wished to have more exchange Americans and Chinese students to foster more empathy and understanding about our different cultures, histories and lived experiences. “Even when we disagree, having shared experiences make disagreements easier to manage,” Celico said. Even though Amy’s experience was a couple decades ago, if she felt an importance to engage with China then, it is even more important to do so now. With rising tensions between the U.S. and China, and distrust growing between the two nations, what we need is more personal understanding that comes from experiencing the nation hands-on. The U.S. and China are clearly in a state of competition, and if they want to carry that out strategically, they need to increase their communication. Many believe that there must be a hegemony, and “The U.S. and China are clearly in a state of competition, and if they want to carry that out strategically, they need to increase their communication. Many believe that there must be a hegemony, and one of these two nations must rise on top. But I believe that China and America can and should co-exist, which comes at the basis of understanding each other at a deep level.
Ultimately, this is about more than just education; it’s about shaping the future of U.S.-China relations. The next generation of leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs will emerge from schools like Deerfield, and the relationships they build—or fail to build—will have long-lasting consequences. As Kenneth Liberthal (Brookings Institution) notes in Debating China, “Thus, U.S.–China relations are not merely a diplomatic phenomenon. The relationship is grounded in dense ties that increasingly encompass the younger generation, too, on both sides.” Chinese international students are not just here to learn; we’re here to teach, to share, and to challenge. At Deerfield, I interrogate my own international student identity, bringing awareness to the soft power outreach that Deerfield may be exhibiting of American values but also my own powers in shifting the tone of American sentiments towards the U.S.-China relations. The Deerfield experience is supposed to be timeless, yet in a timely dire situation of U.S.-China relations, how has the experience shifted for international students?
The next time you see an international student, realize the remarkable international relations which are taking place within your interactions.