Xu Shengyu has dreamed of becoming a diplomat since he was an undergraduate majoring in English.

Now, as a graduate student in an international training program at Beijing Foreign Studies University's, who is also pursuing a master's degree in international relations through a renowned UK university, the 24-year-old said his dream has come closer.

Xu is not alone. All 25 of his classmates in the program are enrolled with prestigious universities around the world to further their studies for one or two years, with the China Scholarship Council paying for their tuition and living expenses.