Bank loans fund overseas dreams

Chinese students face many challenges on their journey to study abroad. First, they go through tedious language courses to enhance language skills and prepare for tests required by foreign colleges.

If their scores are satisfactory, they fill out piles of application forms as they try to gain acceptance by a good college. Those accepted are then busy applying for visa and - many times the most difficult of all - finding money to cover tuition fees and living expenses.

Money is a big hurdle for Chinese families - most earn only a fraction of the income of middle-class families in the West.