There should be a reason people around the world travel to the US for studies I believe? In your case what do you think was the main advantage that made you choose to do your PhD there? Is there any advantage over other countries?
1. America used to have the top tier technology of the world. 20-30 years ago, what could you learn in China when it comes to tech? Almost nothing compared to what one could learn in America. That's not the case anymore.
2. Less competitive atmosphere. You're expected to work your ass off in China; you have peers waiting to eat your lunch at every turn. In the US, suddenly you're the smartest, hardest working person in the lab.
3. Higher standard of living. This is also fading, with many Americans on XiaoHongShu saying it is reversed now with China's affordable great food and heavily tech-integrated modern metropolises. But decades ago, life was more modern and better in the US.
International students comprise >40% of US STEM Ph. Ds and disproportionally produce its most ground breaking research across most fields. I don’t think you should under sell them since many were historically the best of China, India, and Europe. Let us not underestimate the research talent of international students or confuse them with privileged, complacent Americans. China is no longer sending its best to the US but the rest of the world still is.
The flow from the rest of the world is reduced as well with the US acting as a mad dog. Those who are in the US are oppertunists, not loyalists. And to be frank, they just don't stack up to their Chinese counterparts. In American labs, the Chinese guys are almost always the star performers even though there are scientists from other countries there kinda hanging out on the sides too.
