Description

Explore China's national language, Mandarin (Putonghua), and extraordinary cultural diversity in Yunnan Province with the option to earn up to 10 language credits in Chinese.

Based in Kunming (Yunnan Province), this program examines the social, historical, and cultural factors shaping and sustaining Chinas minority communities.

Topics of study include:

Traditional Chinese cultures and beliefs
The growing gap between urban and rural life in China
The impact of tourism on minority cultures

Students learn from leaders at academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations such as Yunnan Nationalities University, the Yunnan Arts Institute, The Yunnan Traditional Medicine Hospital, and the Lijiang Dongba Cultural Research Institute.

Yunnan Province serves as a hub of NGO activity in China allowing students to closely examine the evolution and modes of operation by which these organizations must work with the government in order to accomplish their objectives.

Intensive Mandarin Instruction
Students can rapidly advance their Mandarin through the program's intensive language component, which yields six academic credits. Interested students may also select to undertake an additional 60 hours of intensive Chinese in lieu of the traditional independent study project, granting them a total of ten language credits.

Excursions to Dali, Lijiang, and Zhongdian
Program excursions bring students into close engagement with local scholars, medical, and development professionals, as well as Daoist, Buddhist, Islamic, and Christian religious leaders. Learn more about the programs excursions.

Living with host familiesthrough the programs two homestaysallows students to experience daily Chinese life in urban and rural settings.

Students discover China's rich multicultural history and gain broadened perspectives on the major issues and challenges confronting China today.

Highlights

Two weeks homestay in Kunming and one to two weeks during the study tour in Dali and Lijiang. Educational excursions to the ancient capitals of Dali and Lijiang, the terra cotta warriors of Xi'an, Beijing and the Great Wall.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

contact sponsor

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American and Worldwide Participants.

Scholarships are Available

Application Process Involves

• Written Application
• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript

Typically The Application Process Time is

3 weeks

SIT Study Abroad's Mission Statement

A pioneer in experiential, field-based study abroad, SIT offers semester, summer, and academic year programs for undergraduate students in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs in multiple locations.

Programs focus on critical global issues in specific geographical and cultural contexts using an interdisciplinary approach. Studying with host country faculty and living with families, students gain a deep appreciation for local cultures and become immersed in diverse topics ranging from the politics of identity to post-conflict transformation, from global health to environmental policy. 

Year Founded

1932