The project - the first joint venture of its kind to promote U.S. higher education abroad - is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Education and the State Department. Ball State is one of 14 colleges and universities the film crew will be visiting.

"The institutions were chosen because of their strong connections to China that have been developed over the years," said Marty Bennett, director of international services. "Specifically, Ball State was chosen because of our recent involvement in the Sino-American 1+2+1 Dual Degree program."

The dual degree program involves Chinese students starting their degrees in China, going to Ball State the next two years and spending their final year in China. Along with this program, Ball State has partnerships with 28 different Chinese universities, including a long-standing relationship with Shanghai Normal University. Ball State also partners with Education USA advisers, sponsored by the State Department, in China. 

"All of our connections in China made Ball State a logical choice to be included in this documentary, which places us in some elite company," Bennett said. "It's really quite remarkable that this project is happening at all, and of course, we are very excited to be included."

The film crew will also be visiting UCLA, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins and others.

The documentary will be shown on China national television later this fall and will coincide with some high-level visits to China by U.S. Commerce and State Department officials, Bennett said.