 VCU in China Intensive Chinese Language Program
China, Beijing and Shanghai
8 to 14 credits in History, Language and International Studies
June 16 – Aug. 8, 2008
Dr. John E. Herman
$2,995 + airfare + applicable VCU tuition
Registration deadline: March 21, 2008
Program description and application [PDF]
The Office of International Education at Virginia Commonwealth University in cooperation with Beijing Foreign Studies University and Fudan University are pleased to offer an eight-week intensive Chinese language program. This program is designed to offer students the opportunity to acquire one academic year worth of language instruction in a total immersion environment, and gain a minimum of eight VCU credits. This is a rigorous language program; but it is also a highly rewarding program that provides students with the unique opportunity to study and practice Chinese in a classroom setting as well as in daily life situations in China.
Setting: This program will take place in the cultural and economic centers of China. The program will begin at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) in Beijing for four weeks of Chinese language training (Monday, June 16 to Friday, July 11), and continue at Fudan University in Shanghai for an additional four weeks of Chinese language training (Monday, July 14 to Friday, Aug. 8). Students will need to arrive in Beijing on or before Sunday, June 15 in order to begin classes on Monday, June 16.
 Course and credit options: minimum of eight VCU credits, therefore, students in the 200 level Chinese class must enroll in an additional two credits.
Courses: Following an initial language placement exam, students will be divided into small groups of no more than five students based on their language ability. Students with no prior Chinese language training will take first year Chinese; students with at least one year of Chinese language training will take second year Chinese; and students with two years of Chinese language training will take third year Chinese. All courses will be taught by faculty from BFSU and Fudan University.
First year Chinese: CHIN 101 and 102, or CHIN 110 (minimum enrollment of 8 VCU credits). Texts: Chen Ta-tuan, Perry Link, Tai Yih-jian, and Tang Hai-tao, Chinese Primer, Volumes 1-3 (Pinyin), Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1994. Chen Ta-tuan, Perry Link, Tai Yih-jian, and Tang Hai-tao, Chinese Primer: Character Text (Pinyin), Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1994.
Second year Chinese: CHIN 201 and 202, or CHIN 210 (minimum 6 VCU credits).Text: Chou Chih-p’ing and Chao Der-lin, A New China: Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese (2 volumes), Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1999.
Third year Chinese: CHIN 391 (minimum 8 VCU credits). Text: Chou Chih-p’ing, Yan Xia, and Meow Hui Goh, All Things Considered: Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2001.
Extra VCU credits: In addition to the required language course registration, students may enroll in the following courses. (Note: these courses will require extra work beyond the language learning):
- HIST 391, Twentieth-Century Chinese History (3 credits)
- HIST 492, Independent Study (3 credits)
- INT 492, Independent Study (3 credits)
2008 estimated program budget
Program cost: $2,995 + airfare + applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $2,995 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Excursions in China
- Study visits and tours
- Ground transportation
- On-site program directorsupport
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International student identification card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- Airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- Meals
- Chinese visa (about $70)
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $800)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Daily schedule: Classes will meet four hours a day, five days a week. From 8 to 11 a.m. students will have three hours of drill/interactive instruction in small classes of one language instructor and no more than five students. From 1 to 2 p.m. all students will take a Chinese writing class. One instructor at each level will hold office hours from 7 to 9 p.m. in the evenings Sunday through Thursday to assist students with their course work.
Wednesday lunch/language table: On Wednesdays there will be a “mandatory” lunch/language table where instructors and students will eat together and speak only Chinese.
Language practicum: During the program there will be at least one language practicum activity per week. Instructors will accompany students to carry out language-centered tasks outside the classroom. The weekly practicum is designed to enhance the students’ mastery of what they have learned in the classroom.
Activities and excursions: While in Beijing students will visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the Ming tombs, the Lama and Confucian temples, and the Temple of Heaven, in addition to a weekend excursion (three days/ two nights) to Datong in Shanxi Province. In Shanghai students will explore the city with their teachers, take two day-long trips to Zhujiajiao and Suzhou, and join a weekend excursion (three days/ two nights) to Huangshan in Anhui Province.
Weekend home stay: Students will have the opportunity to experience daily life with a Chinese family during a weekend home stay in Shanghai.
Accommodations and meals: Students will be housed in international student dormitories at BFSU and Fudan. The rooms include a bed (with bed sheets, blanket and pillow), desk, chair, lamp, closet, TV, phone, and air conditioning. The program cost is based on double occupancy room rate. Meals are not included with accommodations.
Airfare: The cost of air travel is not included in the program. Students must meet with Dr. Herman before purchasing their airplane tickets.
Passports and visas: All participants are responsible for obtaining their own passport and visa. Visas must be secured in advance from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. Participants should have a valid passport no later than March 1 to ensure participation in the program.
Application deadline: March 21, 2008. Applications will be accepted until the deadline, or until participant space is full.
Eligibility: Students must have a 2.75 GPA to apply. All applicants must be interviewed by the program director.
VCU Sources of Financial Aid:
VCU Financial Aid
Monroe Park Campus
901 West Franklin Street, Ginter House
P.O. Box 843026
Richmond, Virginia 23284-3026
Telephone: (804) 828-6669
TDD: 1-800-828-1120
VCU Office of International Education
Summer Study Abroad Scholarships
Contact: Jasmine Phillips
916 West Franklin Street, Millhiser House
P.O. Box 843043
Richmond, Virginia 23284-3043
Telephone: (804) 828-8471
E-mail: abroad@vcu.edu
Non-VCU Sources of Financial Aid:
Freeman-Asia Program: The single largest source of aid is the Freeman-Asia program, which awards up to $3,000 per student. Freeman-Asia gives priority to students who have never been to the country where the program is stationed. Students are strongly encouraged to apply for a Freeman-Asia scholarship.
National Security Education Program (NSEP): This program fund first and second-years for intensive summer study abroad, administered by the Institute of International Education (NSEP). Students are also strongly encouraged to apply to this program.
Program director: Dr. John Herman from the VCU Department of History is well versed in both the language and culture of China, and his connections to Fudan University and BFSU have been integral in creating the formal cooperation agreement with VCU. He may be reached at (804) 828-2856.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs.
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