memorable experiences were with my American friends." These lasting bonds represent the true value of studying abroad.And I am thrilled that more and more students are getting this opportunity.As you've heard, China is currently the fifth most popular destination for Americans studying abroad, and today,the highest number of exchange students in the U.S.are from China. But still,too many students never have this chance,and some that do are hesitant to take it.They may feel like studying abroad is only for wealthy students or students from certain kinds of universities.Or they may think to themselves,well, that sounds fun but how will it be useful in my life?And believe me,I understand where these young people are coming from because I felt the same way back when I was in college. See,I came from a working-class family,and it never occurred to me to study abroad--never.My parents didn't get a chance to attend college,so I was focused on getting into a university,earning my degree so that I could get a good job to support myself and help my family.And I know for a lot of young people like me who are struggling to afford a regular semester of school,paying for plane tickets or living expenses halfway around the world just isn't possible.And that's not acceptable,because study abroad shouldn't just be for students from certain backgrounds. Our hope is to build connections between people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds,because it is that diversity that truly will change the face of our relationships.So we believe that diversity makes our country vibrant and strong.And our study abroad programs should reflect the true spirit of America to the world. And that's why when my husband visited China back in 2009,he announced the 100,000 Strong initiative to increase the number and diversity of American students studying in China.And this year,as we mark the 35th anniversary of the normalization of relationships between our two countries,the U.S.government actually supports more American students in China than in any other country in the world. We are sending high school,college and graduate students here to study Chinese.We're inviting teachers from China to teach Mandarin in American schools.We're providing free online advising for students in China who want to study in the U.S.And the U.S.-China Fulbright program is still going strong with more than 3,000 alumni. And the private sector is stepping up as well.For example,Steve Schwarzman, who is the head of an American company called Blackstone,is funding a new program at Tsinghua University modeled on the Rhodes Scholarship.And today, students from all kinds of backgrounds are studying here in China. Take the example of Royale Nicholson,who's from Cleveland,Ohio.She attends New York University's program in Shanghai.Now,like me,Royale is a first-generation college student.And her mother worked two full-time jobs while her father worked nights to support their family.And of her experience in Shanghai, Royale said -and this is her quote--she said,"This city oozes persistence andmemorable experiences were with my American friends.” These lasting bonds represent the true value of studying abroad. And I am thrilled that more and more students are getting this opportunity. As you’ve heard, China is currently the fifth most popular destination for Americans studying abroad, and today, the highest number of exchange students in the U.S. are from China. But still, too many students never have this chance, and some that do are hesitant to take it. They may feel like studying abroad is only for wealthy students or students from certain kinds of universities. Or they may think to themselves, well, that sounds fun but how will it be useful in my life? And believe me, I understand where these young people are coming from because I felt the same way back when I was in college. See, I came from a working-class family, and it never occurred to me to study abroad -- never. My parents didn’t get a chance to attend college, so I was focused on getting into a university, earning my degree so that I could get a good job to support myself and help my family. And I know for a lot of young people like me who are struggling to afford a regular semester of school, paying for plane tickets or living expenses halfway around the world just isn’t possible. And that’s not acceptable, because study abroad shouldn’t just be for students from certain backgrounds. Our hope is to build connections between people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds, because it is that diversity that truly will change the face of our relationships. So we believe that diversity makes our country vibrant and strong. And our study abroad programs should reflect the true spirit of America to the world. And that’s why when my husband visited China back in 2009, he announced the 100,000 Strong initiative to increase the number and diversity of American students studying in China. And this year, as we mark the 35th anniversary of the normalization of relationships between our two countries, the U.S. government actually supports more American students in China than in any other country in the world.We are sending high school, college and graduate students here to study Chinese. We’re inviting teachers from China to teach Mandarin in American schools. We’re providing free online advising for students in China who want to study in the U.S. And the U.S.-China Fulbright program is still going strong with more than 3,000 alumni. And the private sector is stepping up as well. For example, Steve Schwarzman, who is the head of an American company called Blackstone, is funding a new program at Tsinghua University modeled on the Rhodes Scholarship. And today, students from all kinds of backgrounds are studying here in China. Take the example of Royale Nicholson, who’s from Cleveland, Ohio. She attends New York University’s program in Shanghai. Now, like me, Royale is a first-generation college student. And her mother worked two full-time jobs while her father worked nights to support their family. And of her experience in Shanghai, Royale said -- and this is her quote -- she said, “This city oozes persistence and