Chinese ‘parachute kids’ flock to US schools

MURRIETA, United States: Growing up in mainland China, Hailun “Helen” Zhou always knew that she would finish her high school education in America, whatever the cost.

“That’s what everybody does,” said the 17-year-old from Sichuan province who has spent the last two years studying in California and will be graduating this spring. “My father’s friends all sent their kids abroad, so that was the trend.”