According to the New York Times, an increasing number of U.S. college graduates are seeking employment in China. The low cost of living and vibrant Chinese economy, coupled with the dwindling U.S. job market, have made metropolitan areas such as Shanghai and Beijing appealing to recent graduates eager to join the workforce.

Some U.S. graduates are able to obtain far more important positions in Chinese companies than would be possible in the U.S. Rather than starting with an internship, then progressing to an entry-level position and slowly advancing through the ranks, American graduates are able to skip a rung or two on the corporate ladder and gain invaluable business experience that would have taken considerably longer in the U.S.

The benefits, however, are not one-sided. As Chinese businesses attempt to enter U.S. markets, American graduates, with their keen understanding of Western society and culture, are perceived as uniquely qualified to act as company liaisons. Moreover, the assertiveness of U.S. graduates, at least compared to their Chinese counterparts, is highly valued by Chinese businesses seeking to drive their companies forward.

Language, interestingly, has not been much of a barrier, even for those with limited or even no knowledge of the Chinese language; many Americans working in China become conversant in Chinese in a short period of time.