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Language and Culture in China

Program Information | Location Information | Courses Available | Eligibility | Costs | Deadlines & Dates | Orientation | Housing | What's Next?

Apply now!

Know the following program information, which you will provide on the online application: 

Country: China
Program Name: Language and Culture in China

Program Information
Earn six credits of Chinese Language and Culture in six weeks while learning about one of the world’s rising global powers, add an international component to your resume and prepare for your professional future. Visit markets while observing and participating in daily life. Spend time with classmates, Chinese and international university students. Experience local cuisine by cooking together or head to the beach to explore the coastline.

The first five days of the program are spent in Shanghai, where students will be introduced to life in China.

 The next four weeks take place in Qingdao, a beach city on the Yellow Sea. Here students have individual rooms and the choice of taking meals on or off campus at Ocean University. Morning language classes will be followed by excursions, Tai Chi, cooking class or additional language practice, unless free time is scheduled.

The last eight days of the program take place in Beijing and Xi’an where students visit historic sites such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Terracotta Warriors and hike Mount Hua. 

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Location Information
Participants will spend time in Shanghai, which is a city of contrasts – the old and the new. Shanghai is the financial and commercial center of China.

The majority of the program will be based in Qingdoa. Positioned on the Yellow Sea, Qingdao is a major seaport and an important city for international trade.  During the early 1900s, Qingdao was a colony of Germany and occupied by Japan, which greatly impacted the city. Beautiful architecture combines traditional Chinese with colonial European styles. The red roofs, green trees, blue sea and sky form a bright and colorful image of Qingdao. Seafood is a typical delicacy of the coastal city.

The remainder of the program will take place in Beijing and Xi’an. Beijing, the capital city of China, is known as one of the world's great cities and has been an integral part of China’s history for centuries. Xi’an is one of the oldest cities in China and has many important historical sites.

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Courses Available
FST 1399, CHIN 1399 Chinese Language in China (6 credits).

Students may participate in Mandarin courses from beginning level to advanced level depending on student proficiency. The course will consist of 90 in-class hours. Participants will also learn about Chinese culture through field trips and guided city tours.

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Eligibility
Students should have at least 24 credits and in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

The program is open to all majors. No previous language study is required for beginner classes. A placement test for students with prior language study will be given in China.

Participants MUST have a passport, valid for at least six months after their return to the United States.

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Costs
A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be billed to your student account upon submission of an online application. A deposit of $400 will be billed to your student account upon your confirmation of participation. The remainder of the program fee will be billed through Student Accounts Receivable. The program cost can be found here.

Financial aid may be applied toward the cost of the program if you are enrolled as a full-time student (six credits is full-time for May/Summer). There are several study abroad scholarships for University of Minnesota students.

Fluctuating currency exchange rates may increase or decrease the cost of your international experience.

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Deadlines & Dates
The application deadline is February 20, 2012.

Early application is strongly encouraged, as space is limited and the class will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Program dates are from May 15 - June 30, 2012.

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Orientation
At least two pre-departure orientations will be held. Pre-departure orientations will include information about financial aid, classwork and travel tips. A general study abroad handbook will be emailed prior to departure.

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Housing
Housing facilities for students at the various locations are arranged by the program.

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What's Next?
Review the suggested steps to studying abroad. Familiarize yourself on financing, health and safety and other important information to consider when choosing to study abroad. When you are ready to apply, complete the online application and upload the required accompanying materials (unofficial transcript and essay). A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be billed to your student account upon submission of an online application.

Contact Zhuangyi Liu for program or itinerary questions. For application or registration questions, contact Arianna Austin.

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