"Studying abroad is about so much more than improving your own future. It is about shaping the future of your countries and of the world we all share," Michelle said during her visit to Peking University here.
Michelle, with her daughters and mother, is on a week-long China visit. This is her first China visit and third foreign trip without the US president since moving into the White House.
She said relationships between nations are not just about relationships between governments or leaders but "they are about relationships between people, particularly our young people."
A record 8.19 lakh international students studied in the US varsities, of which 2.5 lakh are Chinese and about a lakh are Indians, as per the data made available by the Educational Exchange Data from Open Doors 2013 released by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
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Michelle also reviewed US President Barack Obama's "100,000 Strong" initiative, a national effort to increase the number and diversity of American students studying in China.
She asked students to keep seeking study abroad experiences.
"Every day, you show the world your countries' energy, creativity, optimism and unwavering belief in the future."
Michelle, after the speech, joined a discussion between students of Peking and Stanford universities via a video link, where they discussed the impact of new media and technology on education.
She is on a visit to China on the invitation of Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, to give a new thrust to sagging ties between Beijing and Washington.