<p>i’m considering studying abroad at peking university through a program connected with my own university in the USA. however, my parents have raised some concerns about doing this.</p>
<li><p>they show me current newspaper articles highlighting china’s capital punishment, and that i could be a victim of that.</p></li>
<li><p>going to china (or any country without strong relations with the USA) would hinder my chances of obtaining a USA job security clearance if needed, because of my time spent in china and the possibility of making connections. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>some of their other concerns include the standards of sanitation and (really random) the number of chinese dying every day due to traffic accidents. </p>
<p>basically, they would much rather have me study abroad in hong kong than peking because peking seems to have everything going against it in terms of safety. </p>
<p>could someone please clarify these concerns? thanks</p>
<p>Regarding #1, I don't think you have to worry about that. I wouldn't go around holding political protests against the Chinese government, but they don't go around just randomly executing people either.</p>
<p>Regarding #2: With China's economy growing faster every year, I think it would actually be a benefit for future employment. Living there for a little while and learning about the language and culture might be very attractive for employers who deal with the chinese at one time or another. I doubt they would think that during your year in China you turned into a communist revolutionary.</p>
<p>Also, when looking at sanitation in china, you will definitly be living above the average. There is good sanitation in China. Its just that most people living there can't afford it. If you're going through a program at your school, they're not going to leave you in some Peking slum. You will be much more well off then the majority.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that they're not going to drop you in the middle of a war zone.</p>
<p>Its a very rapidly developing country and the investment there is quite literally insane. It would help to learn a second language as well as the opportunities it will offer upon graduation! especially if its business orientated.</p>
<p>peking is a city with immense cultural depth. peking university is the most prestigeous university in china. they have hundreds of foreign students every year from all over the world and all over america.
i feel a bit surprised when i saw your question. i thought with the current global communication, most prejudice and misconceptions about place like beijing would be gone. also peking is the city that's going to host olympic 2008. If anything, safety should not be a concern at all.</p>
<p>wish you good luck and wonderful experience if you decide to go.</p>