Together with fast economic growth, the international mobility of students from China and to China is also experiencing rapid growth. In the first two decades of the new century, China quickly emerged as a top destination country for international students. With data collected from 39 Chinese professionals in international education, this study aims to examine China's quick ascendency in international education from the perspective of frontline practitioners. A thematic analysis of qualitative data points to a few areas of growing pains and desired system transitions in China's shift from quick quantitative growth to gradual qualitative improvement in international education.