Editor's note: A policy introduced by Shandong University in late 2016 to help international students adapt to university life recently sparked online debate. According to a Sina Weibo post published by the Shanghai-based Xinmin Weekly, most of the native students taking part in the policy are women. Forum readers share their opinions.

mbursian (US)

If a foreign student can manage to be accepted at a Chinese university, can manage to travel to China and find their way to the university, and manage to get registered and enrolled in classes, then they're well apt to manage on their own. It's part of the life experience called growing up and becoming independent and self-sufficient. They don't need their hands held. If it's absolutely a necessity for a foreign student to have a "buddy", then they should be paired with the same sex.