YMG, this is a good post on this topic as usual. However, I would be careful with recommending this path. If you are sure you want to build your career in X country, acquiring a degree there could be great for all the reasons you mention. However, having a US degree (from a place like UCLA or Tufts, for example) still goes a long way in the eyes of individuals (and to a less important extent, companies) in all the countries abroad you mentioned. The same is not usually said for foreign degrees in the US, should the person want to return.
What I'd recommend over this is a good US degree (ie sciences, math, engineering, economics - no fluffy stuff) with a 1 year study abroad to the country/city you want, and working internships while you study (important) OR doing multiple summer internships in the country/city over your 4 year degree. In either case, if you hustle you'll still get all the benefits: network building, language skills, and opportunities post-graduation. (There are many ways to tweak this - you could extend your 1 year exchange program into a year off of studies to work, or whatever - the point is, get that US degree asset AND the international experience.) Bonus: for the periods of the year when you're stuck studying on your US campus, make friends with the international students from your target city/country - THEY will often be very connected in your target city, usually even better than the students at the elite local universities in X country. It won't be hard to find them - go to your school's library. (Seriously, though, check out your school's Chinese/Thai/Brazilian/whatever student clubs, look for their intramural sports teams, take a XYZ Country Studies/history class, etc.)
On the cost/debt: If you hustle (scholarships, campus jobs, living somewhat frugally), you can graduate from an undergrad in the states with no/little debt; or, depending on what you get out of it, some debt could be OK - just make sure you squeeze that 4-year window for everything it's worth. (Also, make sure any debt is in USD, heh.)
Last footnote: depending on your field and objectives, a master's or MBA in your target city/country is something that serves all the same functions described above, on a slightly different level. Not quite the same discussion though because the 4-year undergrad period presents a broader set of hustling opportunities than a more specialized master's down the road, but something to think about.
What I'd recommend over this is a good US degree (ie sciences, math, engineering, economics - no fluffy stuff) with a 1 year study abroad to the country/city you want, and working internships while you study (important) OR doing multiple summer internships in the country/city over your 4 year degree. In either case, if you hustle you'll still get all the benefits: network building, language skills, and opportunities post-graduation. (There are many ways to tweak this - you could extend your 1 year exchange program into a year off of studies to work, or whatever - the point is, get that US degree asset AND the international experience.) Bonus: for the periods of the year when you're stuck studying on your US campus, make friends with the international students from your target city/country - THEY will often be very connected in your target city, usually even better than the students at the elite local universities in X country. It won't be hard to find them - go to your school's library. (Seriously, though, check out your school's Chinese/Thai/Brazilian/whatever student clubs, look for their intramural sports teams, take a XYZ Country Studies/history class, etc.)
On the cost/debt: If you hustle (scholarships, campus jobs, living somewhat frugally), you can graduate from an undergrad in the states with no/little debt; or, depending on what you get out of it, some debt could be OK - just make sure you squeeze that 4-year window for everything it's worth. (Also, make sure any debt is in USD, heh.)
Last footnote: depending on your field and objectives, a master's or MBA in your target city/country is something that serves all the same functions described above, on a slightly different level. Not quite the same discussion though because the 4-year undergrad period presents a broader set of hustling opportunities than a more specialized master's down the road, but something to think about.