New opportunities are opening up for Chinese families looking for a college education for their children as overseas universities relax their requirements for Chinese students. To help them get the information they need, the three-day Beijing International Education Expo got underway in Beijing on Sunday.

Chinese students and their parents are eagerly consulting with representatives from foreign institutions of higher learning about studying abroad. The less stringent admission requirements and overseas courses of study have attracted many parents and their children to consider the possibilities of studying abroad. The depreciation of foreign currencies in relation to the Chinese RMB has also been an attractive factor.

One visitor said "It's the right time to study abroad now. I think I will save at least 20 percent of the cost."

Due to fluctuations in the exchange rate brought by the global financial crisis, the cost of studying abroad is a little lower than last year.

Shi Jingjing, Deputy Director of Canadian Education Center said "Compared with last year, the foreign currency devaluated almost 30 to 40 percent. So it is worthwhile for Chinese students to study abroad now, saving around 30 percent of the cost."