CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN BEIJING (in even-numbered years)
May 7 - June 16, 2014 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Feburary 1, 2014
Minimum Enrollment: 10
LINKS: Facebook, Success Stories: Aaron, Dan
- Open to all OU and guest students.
- NO prior knowledge of Chinese required to attend the prpgram. (Note: Students will be placed into classes appropriate to their proficiency of Chinese. The true beginner's class, CHE 114, will be offered only when there are students in the group who do not have any prior knowledge of Chinese.)
CHINA FOREIGN AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1955, the prestigious China Foreign Affairs University is the only institution of higher learning under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. CFAU trains personnel for professional careers in foreign service, international studies and other careers related to business, law and international law. Students and the OU instructor will be housed in CFAU’s International Exchange Center on campus or at nearby hotels.
PROGRAM
WEEK 1 - 4: Classes on Mon-Fri; Group tours on Sat; Personal activities on Sun. WEEK 5: Tour in China
The program consists of an intensive 5-week language and culture study at China Foreign Affairs University, Beijing, in May and June. Topics will include Chinese handwriting, pronunciation, grammar and language for daily use (restaurant signs, slang, etc.). This is an opportunity for linguistic immersion into standard Mandarin Chinese and making friends with Chinese students who have a great interest in international affairs.
History and culture classes are taught by Chinese professors. Beginning level Chinese language courses are taught by instructors who are fluent in English; intermediate level Chinese language courses are taught in Chinese. Classes will be followed by visits to historic sites, such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, Temple of Heaven, Ancient Observatory, etc. A one-week tour of historic sites in Northern and Southern China culminate the program.
Participants should be interested in beginning Chinese language training or advancing their Chinese language skills in a Chinese setting. They will also need a healthy sense of adventure.
COST & IMPORTANT DATES
The 2012 program cost is estimated at a total of $5500-6000 (including program fee, room and board, visa application, travel insurance, round trip airfare from Detroit, in-country transportation and sightseeing expenses; excluding OU tuition (depending on the number of credits taken: 4, 8 or 12)). A $250 non-refundable application fee will be applied to the program cost.
February 1: Application form (pages 1-2) and $250 due.* For non-OU students, please also submit a brief statement describing your academic background. Students should have valid passport ready before applictaion.
March 1: Submit passport for visa application and application form (pages 3-10). In March, you will be asked to submit checks payable to the travel and insurance agencies for the visa application, round-trip Detroit airfare, and travel insurance. Please prepare $2100 for these expenses (students will be notified of the exact amount and due date).
APRIL 1: Please prepare $3850 for program fee, including (1) CFAU administrative fee, room and board, group meals and tours on the weekend, and (2) the last week southern China tour. (The $250 application fee will be applied to the program fee, i.e. students will pay $250 less than the toatl program fee stated above. Students will be notified of the exact amount and due date.)
--MAY: Departing for Beijing. Have a safe and unforgettable trip! --
End of May: OU tuition due date. You will be billed for the OU credits that you enroll. (NOTE: All summer tuition is due on this bill due date regardless of class start date. Please check the [Important Dates] webpage of the Office of the Registrar for the exact due date, http://www.oakland.edu/important-dates)
*We will need 10 participants with paid deposits by February 1 in order for the program to proceed; otherwise, the program will be cancelled and all deposits and application charges will be refunded in full. Once a student accepted admission into the program, the application fee is non-refundable.
**Financial aid is available through scholarship and/or Office of Financial Aid.**
CLASSES IN CHINA
Participants may choose to earn 4, 8 or 12 Oakland University credits chosen from the following:
**Courses may be counted toward your Chinese-related major or minor.
CHE 114: Intro to Chinese and Chinese Culture 4 credits
The first of a two-semester sequence in the fundamentals of Mandarin Chinese and Chinese culture.
IS 300: Special Topics: Modern China 4 credits
Before students depart the United States, they will work with the accompanying instructor and/or their major adviser to design their IS 300 term projects. Students may use this course as the basis for undergraduate research and graduate thesis research. Due to the condensed semester, limited Internet access and one-week tour, students are encouraged to do as much research as possible prior to their May departure.
ML 390: Advanced Study of Chinese Language 4 credits
This course is designed for those students who have already completed CHE 114 or higher.
ML 391: Advanced Study of Chinese Culture 4 credits
Lecture series presented in English by a cast of CFAU faculty on Chinese history, society, political economy, national security, culture and other topics.
*Oakland University offers various Study Abroad Programs to China. Please go to [International Education] for all programs.