Description

The Intensive Chinese Language and Culture study abroad program in Nanjing, China is designed for students with two to six semesters of college-level Mandarin Chinese and an interest in Chinese studies who wish to immerse themselves in a more traditional and accessible locale against the backdrop of a large developing Chinese city.

Academic Program
Established in 1982, the CIEE Study Center at Nanjing University focuses on helping students develop third through fifth semester Mandarin Chinese communication skills and provides many opportunities for exploring contemporary Chinese society and culture. The program offers an integrated curriculum that links the language classes, the area studies course on contemporary China, a one-week field trip module (Southwest China in the fall semester and Northwest China in the spring), and day trips in and around Nanjing. Three-day weekends, a one-week mid-semester independent travel break and, for academic year students, a two-month winter break, all provide valuable opportunities for exploring China, reinforcing classroom learning, and providing natural settings in which to speak Chinese on a regular basis.

Students with advanced writing and speaking skills, as determined by an on-site placement test, and academic year participants who complete the Advanced level language course (equivalent to fifth semester Chinese in the U.S.) in the fall, may be able to enroll in special language coursework at Nanjing University's Institute for International Students, including courses in history, international relations, economics, and literature taught in Chinese for international students. Students with Superior level or near native proficiency in Mandarin, whose language ability exceeds even the most advanced elective courses offered by the Institute for International Students, may enroll directly with local students in host university courses in political science, Chinese literature, history, or other departments of liberal arts and social sciences at Nanjing University.

Academic Culture
Students attend morning language classes from Monday through Thursday. The language classes are small, consisting of six to 10 students, so students are encouraged to participate actively. On a weekly basis, students meet with instructors individually for pronunciation correction and coaching.

The required CIEE area studies course and related field trips usually take place in the afternoon two or three times a week. The course is taught using both English and Chinese. It utilizes a combination of lectures, class discussions, group or individual work on research projects, fieldwork, presentations, reports, and a final paper.

Highlights

Culture
Cultural Activities and Field Trips
Six trips are integrated into the academic curriculum reflecting the topics covered in the language and area studies courses. The city trips include visits to memorial museums, a home for the elderly, a cooking school, a population management training institute, and various neighborhoods, temples, and historical sites around Nanjing. Each semester Nanjing University sponsors a two-day trip to a nearby city such as Wuxi, Suzhou, or Hangzhou, or a rural area in Northern Jiangsu Province.

Extracurricular classes in Chinese calligraphy and Taiji are held on weekday afternoons.

Sichuan Module
The program also includes a one-week module in Chengdu. The goal of the Chengdu, Sichuan Province module is to provide students with a unique opportunity to learn about the connections between folk customs, history, religion, traditional medicine, and the environment in a region with a rich cultural heritage and ethnic diversity. Sichuan Province, often referred to as The Heavenly Kingdom, offers students an unparalleled vantage point into the diverse societies, traditional religions, and natural landscapes of western China, against the backdrop of accelerated economic development in the region.

As part of the module, site visits complement lectures by prominent scholars from Sichuan University. Students also visit Wolong Nature Reserve (the National Giant Panda Research Center) and Jiuzhai Gou, with its breathtaking views. In addition to these visits, students visit a typical Sichuanese teahouse, sample traditional Sichuanese cuisine, take part in a martial arts demonstration on Mt. Emei, and have time most evenings to explore Chengdu on their own.

Cultural Reimbursement Program
To encourage students to enrich their study abroad experiences in Nanjing, CIEE reimburses students for their participation in cultural activities such as Chinese film screenings, theater performances, traditional music concerts, and visits to museums and historic places of interest, and martial arts or traditional Chinese musical instrument classes.

Immersion
Peer Language Tutors
Program participants are paired with Nanjing University students for weekly one-on-one Chinese language tutorials. These tutorials provide students with extra conversation practice in Mandarin, help with homework assignments, and afford students an opportunity to see firsthand the lifestyle of their Chinese peers.

Target Language Meals
To encourage students to utilize their Chinese in an informal setting, CIEE plans bimonthly group meals for students with their language teachers, Chinese peer tutors, and roommates. Students attending the optional meals are required to speak only Chinese.

Community Involvement
Participants are introduced to local NGOs where they participate in volunteer activities. Students might work with an environmental protection group, an anti-Aids organization, or teach English in an elementary school for immigrant laborers children. These activities give students the opportunity to be more involved in local life and to understand contemporary China in depth with a broader perspective.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

• Asian Studies
• Chinese Language
• Culture
• Independent Study
• Intensive Language

Cost in US$:

Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing.

Program Fees Include:

The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, full-time program leadership and support, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

*Students placed in homestays will receive breakfast and dinner during the week and most weekends.

Experience Required

yes

• Overall GPA 2.75
• 2-6* semesters of college-level Mandarin Chinese or equivalent
• Students with near-native proficiency in Mandarin should contact CIEE prior to submitting their application
• 1 college-level Chinese area studies course recommended *Note: Students with 5 or more semesters of college- level Mandarin Chinese take Chinese electives with other international students and Superior level language students take elective courses with local Chinese students directly through the host university.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays
• Dormitory

Participants Travel

Independently

Scholarships are Available

We have several scholarships that students can apply for. Contact CIEE for details.

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application
• Other

CIEE's Mission Statement

Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever.

Year Founded

1947