CIEE Advanced Chinese Studies in Beijing, China

  China

• Beijing: 
Beijing

Term: Academic Year, Spring 
Dates: Spring 18 weeks: early February - late June; Academic Year 36 weeks: late August - late June

Description: The goal of the Advanced Chinese Studies program is to provide support for superior language students interested in taking coursework completely in Chinese alongside Chinese peers. This is achieved by having students enroll directly in one department or school at Peking University based on their academic interest, as well as by providing weekly tutorials with Chinese peer tutors, a required core course focusing on using Chinese in a professional context, optional homestays and off-campus housing near the University, and opportunities for individual research.

Academic Program
The CIEE Study Center at Peking University was founded in 1980. The Advanced Chinese Studies program, offers support for superior Chinese language students interested in taking content classes completely in Chinese with Chinese undergraduate students. Students are required to pass a placement exam taken upon arrival in Beijing. Once students pass, they enroll in one of four schools or departments: the Department of Chinese Language and Literature; the Department of History; The School of International Studies; or the Guanghua School of Management. A CIEE Advanced Research and Writing course supplements direct enrollment courses at Peking University.

Academic Culture
Students attend classes Monday through Friday and take all courses within one department or school. The academic culture of each department or school varies. Classroom size can range from 20-200 students depending on the course and teaching styles and course requirements vary from course to course. Syllabi may or may not be provided depending on the professor. There is a Teacher's Assistant (TA) assigned to each course, and international students are expected to communicate with their TAs for specific course information and to address any issues. Students are expected to be both independent and diligent in regard to the requirements of each course.

Due to the dates of the Chinese academic calendar, students may enroll for the spring semester or the entire academic year. Semester students take three direct enrollment courses and the CIEE core course. Academic year students take seven courses; they do not need to repeat the CIEE core course in the spring.

Highlights:

• Hosted by the prestigious Peking University for advanced Chinese language students; direct enrollment in specific departments or schools.
  
• Knowledgeable and experienced full-time on-site CIEE staff
  
• Weekly one-on-one tutorials and Chinese language meals with tutors and staff
  
• Cultural activities, with reimbursements, to the Beijing Opera, concerts, acrobatic performances, Tiananmen Square, and Dashanzi Art District; excursions to such places as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven.

Culture
Cultural Activities and Field Trips
Guided field trips are organized to historic and cultural sites in and around Beijing such as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Dashanzi Art District, and various other famous sites of interest. Cultural activities may include the Beijing Opera, Laoshe Tea House, and an acrobatic show. Although there are no formal community service activities on this program, volunteer opportunities can be arranged by CIEE staff.

Classes in calligraphy, painting, taijiquan, stamp cutting, and traditional Chinese musical instruments are also offered.

Cultural Reimbursement Program
As a means of encouraging students to enrich their study abroad experience in Beijing, CIEE offers a Cultural Reimbursement Program, allowing students to be reimbursed for their participation in local cultural activities such as Chinese film screenings, theater performances, traditional music concerts, and visits to local museums and historic places of interest. Students are encouraged to invite peer tutors to such events when possible.

Immersion
Extended weekend Excursion
An extended weekend excursion to Xian, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shanxi Ping Yao, or Wu Tai Mountain allows students to learn about areas outside of Beijing and to utilize their Chinese language skills under the leadership of the Resident Director. The location is selected prior to each term and changes each semester. Several Chinese students accompany the group to help foster a Chinese speaking environment on the trip. The entire trip is conducted in Chinese and students are expected to maintain their language commitment during all program activities.

Peer Tutors
Program participants are paired with Peking University students for weekly one-on-one tutorials. The tutorials are overseen by the Resident Director. These tutorials provide students with guided support in academic writing and research in a Chinese context which is integrated into the required CIEE core course, Tutorial for Advanced Research and Writing.

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

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing.

Experience Required: yes

Students must take Peking University's (PKU) initial placement test in Beijing to be qualified to directly enroll at PKU. Typically, students that speak and write at the superior level on the ACTFL scale are likely to pass the PKU placement test. These students have often completed Third Year Chinese or the equivalent at the college level. Students who do not pass this test are required to enroll in the CIEE Intensive Chinese Language program at the advanced level. Students are encouraged to provide a current HSK (National Chinese Language Proficiency Test) score along with their application to expedite the admissions process. The minimum HSK requirement is level 6 but level 8 is highly recommended.