In general, I do not like the idea of mixing education with business. Education represents the sincere devotion of a large number of teachers trying to educate future generations.

To me, it seems the camps are the brainchild of Chinese businesspeople who see a great opportunity to exploit parental interest in educating children to make profit. I think this is a bad attitude.

Families who send their children abroad on study tours may think their kids will benefit from getting a good report from the summer camp. That may be true, but it should not be the sole purpose. Students should also learn at the camps.

Yau Shing-Tung, professor in the Department of Mathematics at Harvard University

I encourage Chinese students to study abroad and I am in favor of "the experience of education".

Many Chinese parents make decisions about their children studying abroad regardless of their willingness and ability. Studying abroad is not the best way forward for every family or student.

Thus, the head-start experience, such as these study tours, should enable students to experience local culture abroad and guide the students to make the life-decision themselves about whether to study abroad or not.

Also, the study tours should not only prepare for study, but also be about a life-long education.

Study tours attract more US universities to China and this benefits other students, as they meet professors from US schools.

Huang Quanyu, PhD, director of Confucius Institute, Miami University