Education
Are Chinese students losing interest in the ‘big four’?
Once the world’s largest source of international students, China is no longer expected to fuel further student growth in the ‘big four’ destinations, according to predictions from Bonard Education shared in a recent webinar.
“China is no longer the easy goldmine it once was”, Bonard senior research consultant, Su Su, told attendees, highlighting the “visible trend” of Chinese students choosing alternative options closer to home.
The US has seen the most noticeable decline in Chinese enrolments, which broadly started across traditional destinations in 2020/21 and has continued in the US over the past five years, according to Bonard data.
Amid the downturn in Chinese mobility to the US, India surpassed China as America’s largest sending country in 2023 and new government data has shown this gap continue to widen.
The UK, however, is bucking the trend and has witnessed continued modest growth in Chinese students since 2020, though this cohort’s visa approval rate saw a 6% year-on-year decline in 2024.
Elsewhere, Canada experienced a 21% drop in Chinese visa approvals last year as the impact of the government’s study permit caps took hold, but university enrolment nevertheless remains stable, signalling the visa decline is concentrated in non-university level students.
Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand saw a modest rebound in Chinese enrolment in 2023/24, with Su maintaining that China was still a “pivotal” source market despite fluctuations.
The waning dominance of China as a source market can partly be attributed to the state of the economy, with financial pressure becoming the most cited factor impacting study decisions, according to Bonard’s agent network.
“Middle class families are experiencing slower financial growth, and, as a result, are more economically conscious,” explained Su, fuelling a rise in shorter term English language courses as well as impacting the post-secondary sector.
What’s more, China’s urban unemployment rate among 16-24-year-olds jumped to an all-time high of 19% last year, pushing career outcomes up the priority list for students and their families, said Su.
Given the financial context, “families are determined to make every RMB count”, said Su, with more affordable Asian destinations becoming increasingly attractive in China.
The PIE News has previously reported on the rise of intra-Asian mobility, with countries in the region increasingly seeing internationalisation as critical to sustaining economic growth, plugging workforce gaps and driving innovation.
In particular, the National Universities of Singapore and Hong Kong were highlighted as hitting the sweet spot by offering highly regarded international degrees at a lower price than traditional destinations – catering to families who still value prestige and the merits of an international education, but who are shopping “smarter”.
Elsewhere, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia are on the rise, with the Japanese government pursuing an ambitious goal of attracting 400,000 international students by 2033 and Malaysia streamlining international admissions through a new centralised system.
But it’s not just affordability that is changing the landscape: perceived policy volatility “can shape perspective just as much as the price”, said Su, highlighting the damaging impact of Donald Trump’s erratic policy announcements in the US.
“Recent headlines in the US are raising serious concerns among families, whether or not the policies are enacted,” Su warned.
By comparison, despite some restrictions in the UK: “It feels more stable… agencies are describing the UK as the safest bet due to its clear communication of policies,” attendees heard.
That being said, political environments tend to have a temporary impact on student decision-making, with agencies and institutions advised that now is the time to “adapt and rethink” rather than turning away from the Chinese market.
Education
How AI Saved My GPA
How AI Saved My GPA
The story of a struggling student, a midnight discovery, and the tool that changed everything.
I Was Failing.
Not metaphorically—actually failing.
Two midterms, three overdue assignments, and an essay on “Global Economic Collapse” that hadn’t moved past the title.
It wasn’t that I didn’t care—I did. I wanted to do better. But between Zoom fatigue, part-time shifts, and the endless ping of social media distractions, my brain checked out.
I was drowning in information, paralyzed by pressure.
And then, one late night, I met my secret study partner—an AI assistant.
The Accidental Discovery
It started, of course, with a TikTok.
One of those fast-talking hoodie-wearing types saying:
“If you’re still writing your own essays, you’re doing it wrong.”
I rolled my eyes. Classic clickbait.
But curiosity won—and I watched.
He typed into a clean little chatbox:
“Explain quantum physics to a high school student.”
Seconds later, a structured, clear, casual explanation popped up.
Smarter than anything I’d seen in a textbook.
I blinked. Replayed. Watched again.
This wasn’t cheating. This was genius.
From Chaos to Clarity
That same night, I gave it a try.
I opened the tab and typed:
“Summarize the main causes of the 2008 financial crisis.”
Boom.
“The 2008 financial crisis was caused by a mix of irresponsible lending practices, risky mortgage-backed securities, and a lack of regulation in the banking system…”
No fluff. No filler. Just facts—fast, clear, and organized.
In under five seconds, I had the perfect starting point for my overdue economics paper.
More Than Just Homework Help
What shocked me wasn’t just the speed.
It was how the AI actually helped me learn.
Whenever I didn’t understand something—like “compound interest” or “inflation”—I’d ask it to explain like I was five. Or in meme form. Or with emojis.
And it worked. Every time.
For the first time in months, studying became… fun.
(I know. Weird.)
The Turning Point
Two weeks later, I turned in my econ essay.
I’d written every word—but used AI to structure my arguments, clean up my grammar, and double-check my citations.
Grade: A-
My professor’s comment?
“Clear argument, excellent organization, strong grasp of the topic.”
I laughed. Two weeks ago, I didn’t even know what a mortgage-backed security was.
Keeping It Ethical
Look—I get the concern.
People hear “AI does your homework” and immediately think cheating.
But here’s the truth:
AI didn’t write my work.
It helped me understand how to write it better.
It didn’t think for me.
It helped me think more clearly.
Still, I set myself some boundaries:
No copy-pasting full answers. Ever.
Use it as a guide, not a ghostwriter.
Always fact-check. Even AI gets things wrong.
Used responsibly, it wasn’t a crutch.
It was a compass.
My New Study Routine
Now, my process is simple:
Pick a topic.
Ask AI to explain it.
Break down the complex stuff.
Organize the ideas.
Write my version—with confidence.
No more blank-page anxiety.
No more endless Googling.
Just fast support, smart insights, and space for my brain to breathe.
The Bigger Picture
I realized something else too.
This isn’t just about me. It’s the future of learning.
AI is our generation’s calculator moment.
Remember when teachers feared calculators would “ruin” math?
They didn’t. They revolutionized it.
Same with AI.
It can level the playing field—for students without tutors, for second-language learners, for anyone just trying to survive in an overwhelming system.
AI isn’t a threat to education.
It’s a tool—and if we use it right, it’s a game-changer.
The Takeaway
So yeah, maybe it sounds dramatic to say:
“AI saved my GPA.”
But it did.
Not by doing my work—
But by showing me that I could do it.
That I was capable, smart, and just needed help sorting through the noise.
Sometimes, that’s all we need.
💡 Final Thought:
The future isn’t about memorizing facts.
It’s about using the tools at our fingertips to turn information into real understanding.
And with AI as our study partner, maybe… we’re just getting started.
Education
The Picture Show : NPR
Jamilah McBryde works up a sweat to cut weight in preparation for the 2025 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Wrestling National Championship, hosted in Wichita, Kan., in March.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Geoff Stellfox for NPR
Jamilah, Zaynah and Latifah McBryde never expected to become college athletes, much less change the rules of American women’s wrestling.
The sisters are devout Muslims who were homeschooled and grew up wrestling one another in Buffalo, N.Y.
“We always said we would never be able to wrestle in college,” said Jamilah, 22.
Coaches recognized their talent when they were teenagers, but they couldn’t wrestle with boys, nor could they wear the required wrestling singlet — due to their faith.
Eventually their passion for the sport – and their perseverance – led to rule changes allowing Muslim women to compete in full-body uniforms at collegiate and national levels.
The sisters based their initial uniforms off those developed for Iranian women wrestlers: a long-sleeved shirt with another shirt over it, and leggings underneath pants, along with a head covering.
Zaynah McBryde (right) battles with Samantha Barragan of Texas Wesleyan University at the 2025 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championship.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Associate head wrestling coach Christian Flavin (center) and head coach Ashley Flavin (right) watch intently as Zaynah McBryde competes.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Geoff Stellfox for NPR
“It started off kind of rough,” Zaynah, 19, said. “The more we trained and, like, started to try to compete, it was like, these hijabs aren’t staying on.”
Trainers and coaches offered helpful suggestions; the sisters now use velcro to keep their shirts tucked into their pants, and they tape their hijabs onto their heads.
“It’s like the people that we’ve met along the way, our coaches and athletic trainers have really helped develop the uniform,” Jamilah said.
These modest uniforms honor their faith, but they also sparked controversy. In 2022, when Latifah, 20, qualified to represent the U.S. at the Pan American Championships for Wrestling, United World Wrestling (UWW), which governs the sport at the international level, denied her request to wear the modified uniform. She ultimately wasn’t able to compete.
But college coaches were excited to recruit them. They recognized the sisters’ potential, though several coaches struggled when asked how they would handle referees who objected to the uniforms. The response from coaches at Life University in Marietta, Ga., stood out.
“The coaches at Life were the first ones that said, ‘If they’re on our team, they’re part of the family. We’re getting the rule changed,’ ” said Zaynah.
Life University associate head wrestling coach Christian Flavin, who is married to head coach Ashley Flavin, does an emotional check-in with his team on the eve of the 2025 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championship.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Geoff Stellfox for NPR
Jamilah McBryde holds her coach’s son while teammate Megan Stottsberry and sister Latifah watch.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Geoff Stellfox for NPR
“We really wanted to open that college door for them and give them the opportunity to keep competing at a high level,” said Ashley Flavin, the head coach of women’s wrestling at Life University.
Thanks to Flavin and other wrestling coaches’ efforts, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), one of the organizations that governs wrestling at American colleges, approved the modified uniforms in the summer of 2022.
That fall, the sisters enrolled at Life University, where they found a welcoming team culture.
Latifah McBryde leaves a final shake-out training session with teammates ahead of the 2025 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championship.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Zaynah McBryde breaks her Ramadan fast with a traditional Iftar meal of dates. All three McBryde sisters maintained their Ramadan fast in the lead up to the tournament.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Geoff Stellfox for NPR
“Girls on the team have the prayer app downloaded on their phones to tell us when prayer time is,” Jamilah said. “While there is a lot of negativity and people who don’t support us wrestling this way, there are a lot who do.”
Jamilah won her first national title last year, qualifying her for U.S. Olympic team trials — but that dream was shattered after UWW ruled that their modest uniforms created an unfair advantage.
The sisters and their coaches strongly disagree, arguing the uniforms are more likely a disadvantage. Flavin said the extra clothing means the sisters get hotter during competition. The sisters also said some competitors have tried to tear their hijabs off to gain an advantage.
But Jamilah said they’ve also had more positive experiences.
“There are people that we’ve wrestled against and our hijab will come off in the match, and they’ll stop wrestling and cover us and wait for our coach to come over and bring tape,” she explained.
Jamilah McBryde takes a breath during training ahead of the championship, which fell during Ramadan.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Geoff Stellfox for NPR
Mustafa and Christine McBryde, the sisters’ parents, take Zaynah’s championship bracket home after the tournament.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Geoff Stellfox for NPR
After the McBryde sisters advocated for change, USA Wrestling, the national governing body for the sport of wrestling in the U.S., changed its rules this year to allow modified uniforms. “I was just shocked,” Jamilah said. “Like, it actually happened. We did it.”
This year’s NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championship fell in March, during Ramadan, which meant the sisters trained and competed while fasting. Despite that added challenge, Zaynah and Latifah won the championship for their weight classes, and Jamilah finished second to a former Olympian.
Zaynah McBryde receives her plaque after winning the 2025 championship for her weight class.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Geoff Stellfox for NPR
Though Olympic dreams remain out of reach due to international rules, the sisters are hopeful that will eventually change.
Zaynah McBryde (center) and sister Jamilah (right) celebrate with teammates after finding out that USA wrestling would let them compete in trials.
Geoff Stellfox for NPR
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Geoff Stellfox for NPR
“I’m just kind of content with the idea now that, like, OK, even if I don’t ever step on an Olympic stage … I’ve had a lasting impact on wrestling,” Latifah said. “Even if I’ve had a positive effect on one other Muslim girl to let her know that she’s capable of doing things and that she can be strong and modest and feminine — all at the same time — then I’ve done my job.”
All three sisters plan to stay involved in the sport after college; Zaynah and Latifah are interested in coaching. Jamilah doesn’t think she’ll follow that path, but she says wrestling isn’t something she can fully step away from, given her family’s love of the sport.
“I think it’s definitely going to be a part of our lives forever.”
Education
8 under-the-radar digital learning resources
Key points:
Digital learning resources are transforming classrooms, and educators are always on the lookout for tools that go beyond the standard platforms. There are numerous lesser-known digital platforms that offer unique, high-quality learning experiences tailored to students’ and teachers’ needs.
Here are ten standout resources that can enhance instruction, boost engagement, and support deeper learning.
Subject areas: All subjects
Best for: Interactive learning content creation
CurrikiStudio is a free, open-source platform that allows teachers to design interactive learning experiences without needing coding skills. Educators can create multimedia lessons, games, and assessments tailored to their curriculum. It’s ideal for flipped classrooms, project-based learning, or blended learning environments.
2. InqITS (Inquiry Intelligent Tutoring System)
Subject areas: Science
Best for: Developing scientific inquiry skills
InqITS offers virtual science labs where students can conduct experiments, analyze results, and receive real-time feedback. The platform uses AI to assess student performance and provide just-in-time support, making it a great tool for teaching scientific practices and critical thinking aligned with NGSS.
3. Parlay
Subject areas: ELA, Social Studies, Science
Best for: Structured online and in-class discussions
Parlay enables educators to facilitate student discussions in a more inclusive and data-informed way. With written and live discussion formats, students can express their ideas while teachers track participation, collaboration, and the quality of responses. It’s an excellent tool for fostering critical thinking, debate, and reflective dialogue.
Subject areas: Geography, History, Global Studies
Best for: Geospatial learning and global awareness
Geoguessr EDU is an educational version of the popular game that drops players into a random location via Google Street View. Students use context clues to determine where they are, building skills in geography, culture, and critical observation. The EDU version allows teachers to control content and track student progress.
Subject areas: Science
Best for: Middle school science with an inquiry-based approach
Mosa Mack offers animated science mysteries that prompt students to explore real-world problems through investigation and collaboration. With built-in differentiation, hands-on labs, and assessments, it’s a rich resource for schools seeking engaging science content that supports NGSS-aligned inquiry and critical thinking.
6. Listenwise
Subject areas: ELA, Social Studies, Science
Best for: Listening comprehension and current events
Listenwise curates high-quality audio stories from public radio and other reputable sources, paired with interactive transcripts and comprehension questions. It helps students build listening skills while learning about current events, science topics, and historical moments. It’s especially helpful for English learners and auditory learners.
Subject areas: Media Literacy, Social Studies
Best for: Analyzing propaganda and media messages
Created by media literacy expert Renee Hobbs, Mind Over Media teaches students to critically analyze modern propaganda in advertising, news, social media, and political content. Through guided analysis and opportunities to submit their own examples, students build essential digital citizenship and media literacy skills.
8. Brilliant
Subject areas: Math, Science, Computer Science
Best for: Problem-solving and conceptual learning
Brilliant.org offers interactive lessons and puzzles that teach students how to think logically and apply concepts rather than simply memorize formulas. With content tailored for advanced middle schoolers and high school students, it’s ideal for enrichment, gifted learners, or students seeking challenge and depth in STEM topics.
Each of these digital learning tools brings something unique to the table–whether it’s fostering deeper discussion, building scientific inquiry skills, or promoting digital literacy.
As schools look to personalize learning and prepare students for a complex, fast-evolving world, these lesser-known platforms provide meaningful ways to deepen engagement and understanding across subjects.
By incorporating these tools into your classroom, you not only diversify your digital toolkit but also give students access to a wider range of learning modalities and real-world applications. Whether you’re looking for curriculum support, project-based tools, or enrichment resources, there’s a good chance one of these platforms can help meet your goals.
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