Harvard Summer Program in Beijing, China

  China

• Beijing: 
Beijing

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 14-August 14, 2010

Description: Beijing, the cultural and political center of China, is a 3,000-year-old city that has been the national capital for most of the past 600 years. The Beijing program gives students the opportunity to explore this richly historic city while participating in intensive courses in modern Chinese. Language training is embedded in the local setting, with opportunities to speak with people from many sectors of Chinese society.

Beijing is quickly becoming a modern city and an important center for international business while maintaining its deep roots. Among the historical riches students may experience are the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Lamaist Temple Yonghegong, ancient teahouses, and Beijing opera theaters. The program provides full linguistic and cultural immersion, as well as the opportunity to complete a one-week social study project.

Highlights: Courses: Intermediate Modern Chinese, Advanced Modern Chinese, Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese, and Advanced Writing in Modern Chinese

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 5,250 USD

In addition, students are responsible for:
- most meals (about 5 USD/day)
- laundry
- a health insurance fee (approximately 165 USD; waived if students have - US insurance that provides coverage outside the United States)
- transportation to and from Beijing
- transportation within Beijing
- entertainment
- all costs relating to the social study project (including room, board, and travel expenses if staying outside of Beijing). Rooms at the university are covered for students doing their social studies in the Beijing area.
- Students are advised to purchase airline tickets as soon as they are accepted to the program.

A notebook computer, though not required, is strongly recommended. To make a computer Chinese ready, see the instructions on the Chinese Language Program website. Every student must have an iPod or other MP3 player to listen to the audio recordings that accompany the textbook. You can also use a computer if it is equipped or purchase inexpensive audio equipment in Beijing.

Experience Required: yes

Prerequisites: one year of college-level Chinese or the equivalent

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Transcript
• Written Application

Harvard Summer School Study Abroad Programs's Mission Statement: The Harvard Summer School makes Harvard's academic resources a distinguished faculty, well-equipped laboratories, fine museums, and a world-class university library available to men and women of many ages, backgrounds, and nationalities through an intensive summer session of liberal arts courses in Cambridge and overseas. Our international student body includes Harvard undergraduate and graduate students, visitors from other colleges and universities, highly qualified secondary school students, adult learners, and nonnative English speakers seeking to refine their language skills. Students take courses to challenge themselves academically, meet degree requirements, prepare for graduate school, gain college experience, advance their careers, and pursue personal enrichment. Students, who study at Harvard Summer School may reside in a supportive residential environment, commute to campus, complete courses via distance education, or participate in one of the faculty-led programs based abroad. Many come to experience the extraordinary environment of Harvard College academics, resources, and residential life. Harvard Summer School serves the University community by providing faculty with teaching opportunities that allow them to experiment with new materials and teaching methods. Students from many Harvard schools take advantage of the breadth of summer course offerings to meet requirements for concentrations and degree programs, and to create more flexibility within their term-time academic program. Harvard graduate students from abroad can work on refining their English language skills, and Harvard College students take advantage of the summer session to expand their cultural, social, and intellectual horizons by studying abroad.