Beijing, Deyang, Shanghai - Chinese Language & Culture

China Program Brochure

Q. What does this program offer?
A. In August 2008, China will host the Olympics in Beijing. The significance of this event for China as a nation and for Chinese as individuals, however, spreads beyond the city limits of Beijing and the summer of 2008. This event marks a high point in China’s recognition by, and continuing integration into the world community. Starting in the summer of 2008, MU’s International Center and Chinese department will join with the Sichuan Engineering and Technical College (SETC) in Deyang to offer a unique, 5 1/2 week program which will focus on the developments in China’s international relations that have led to this moment, and the impact of modernization and integration into the world community on China’s sense of national identity, the shape of Chinese culture, and on the lives of ordinary people. Students in the program will explore Chinese traditional culture through visits to historically significant locations, and will explore modern life through visits to factories, schools, and businesses. Activities which students can look forward to include:

• 5 days in Shanghai (including visits to the Bund, Pearl Tower, Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, and China’s largest steel factory, Baogang )
• Intensive Study of “Everyday Spoken Chinese” with hands-on practice in Deyang and vicinity
• Home-stay with a Chinese family
• Weekend field trips to a Taoist mountain, a World Heritage Qing dynasty town, and the modern city of Chengdu
• A week in Beijing (Including visits to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall).

Q. What is it like there?
A. Beijing and Shanghai are both modern, bustling cities with huge populations. Shanghai is a port city that only began to be developed under Western colonialism in the 19th century. As such it serves as an appropriate starting place for our exploration of China’s interactions with other nations. Beijing is not only the current capital of China and site of the 2008 Olympics, but also preserves some of China’s oldest history. Deyang, where we will be spending most of our time is a small city (by Chinese standards) several thousand miles away in Sichuan province with a much slower pace of life. It has seen a great deal of modernization in the last several decades, but there are still few westerners there. Students will be staying on the SETC campus which is a short distance (5 minute bus ride) from Deyang’s city center.

Q. What will I study?
A. Geared toward students with an interest in East Asian Studies, the program consists of two 3-credit courses: a Chinese Culture Course (Chinese Traditions and Global Integration) and a course in Everyday Spoken Chinese (beginning and intermediate levels). The first course will be taught throughout the entire program and will utilize China as a classroom. While Volz has extensive experience living and traveling in China, stress will be laid on meeting Chinese people from a variety of backgrounds and learning from their experiences. The second course, Everyday Spoken Chinese (beginning and intermediate levels), will be taught by Chinese language faculty members at SETC. Language coursework will be reinforced through real life practice, such as mailing a letter home.

Q. When does the program run?
A. The tentative dates for this program are May 19-June 27, 2008 (tentative). Please double-check the program dates with your advisor.

Q. Where will I live?
A. In Shanghai and Beijing, students will be housed in 3-star hotels in double rooms shared with another program participant. In Deyang, students will be housed in college dormitories. Students will have the opportunity for a brief home-stay with a Chinese family in Deyang.

Q. Will I get academic credit?
A. You will be enrolled in two 3-credit MU courses. Given that these are MU courses, the credit will transfer to MU, and your grades will be calculated into your GPA. Although you are guaranteed credit for successfully completed courses, you must work with your academic advisor(s) to obtain pre-approval as to how the courses you take might fulfill degree requirements.

Q. Can I get financial aid?
A. Most financial aid you normally receive for your classes at MU should apply to the cost of the program. Additional grants, loans or scholarships may be available to offset the extra costs incurred on this program. Please see the advisor for study abroad financing at the MU Financial Aid Office for more complete information. The International Center offers limited study abroad scholarships as well. Scholarship applications can be found online with the MU Study Abroad Application. You will need to budget extra funds for round trip airfare, extra travel and personal expenses. Note: A minimum payment of $500 will be due April 15, 2008. More information is also available on the MU Financial Aid Office website.

Q. Am I eligible?
A. This program is open to MU undergraduate students with a GPA of 2.5 or greater. Preference will be given to International Studies majors and East Asian Studies minors.

Q. How do I apply?
A. See the Study Abroad Application Instructions on this web-site for more information.

Q. Where can I find out more?
A. In the Study Abroad Resource Room at the International Center, you will find additional information on this and other overseas opportunities. Peer Advisors will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, and Study Abroad Advisors are available by appointment. You can also visit the Sichuan Engineering and Technical College website for more information about the program.