Faculty-led programs
Intensive Chinese language program
China
8 credits in Chinese
May 31-July 23, 2010
John Herman, Ph.D., Director of VCU-China Relations
$2,750 plus airfare and VCU tuition
Registration deadline: April 17, 2010
Status: Program open
The Office of International Education at VCU is pleased to offer an eight-week intensive Chinese language program at Beijing Foreign Studies University. This program is designed to allow students the opportunity to earn one academic year worth of language instruction in a total immersion environment.
Course and credit options
All students are required to register for a minimum of 8 VCU credits. Students in first year Chinese will register for at least 8 credits of CHIN 101 and 102, or CHIN 110; students in second year Chinese will register for at least 8 credits of CHIN 201 and 202, or CHIN 210; and students in third year Chinese will register for at least 8 credits of CHIN 391.
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 and you must have John Herman’s permission prior to registering for extra VCU credits): HIST 391: Twentieth-Century Chinese History (3 credits), HIST 492: Independent Study (3 credits), or INTL 492: Independent Study (3 credits)
Course description
Classes will meet four hours a day, five days a week. From 9 a.m. to noon, students will have three hours of drill/interactive instruction in small classes of one language instructor and three to four students. From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., students will have the option to take a Chinese writing class or continue the intensive drill/interactive instruction. Teaching assistants at each level will hold office hours 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.
John Herman, Ph.D., from the VCU Department of History is well versed in both the language and culture of China, and his connections to BFSU have been integral in creating the formal cooperation agreement with VCU.
Registration deadline: April 17, 2010
Applications will be accepted until the deadline or until participant space is full.
Program cost
$2,750 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $2,750 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Study visits and tours
- Ground transportation
- Excursions in China
- On-site program director support
- 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:
- International airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- All meals
- Textbooks
- Laundry
- Passport application fee
- Chinese Visa
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $800)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare
Airfare is not included. The professor will advise students of travel arrangements between the U.S. and China. Students will need to arrive in Beijing on or before Sunday, May 30, in order to begin classes on Monday, May 31.
Eligibility
Students must have a 2.75 GPA to apply. All applicants will be interviewed by the Program Director, John Herman, Ph.D.
While in China
During the program students will participate on several excursions:
- Great Wall, Summer Palace and Ming Tombs (one day)
- Mt. Tai and Qufu in Shandong Province (two days/one night)
- Xian and Luoyang (three days/two nights)
- Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou (seven days/six nights)
In addition, on Sunday, July 12, students will spend an entire day with a Chinese family.
Students will be housed in international student dormitories at BFSU. The rooms include a bed (with bed sheets, blanket and pillow), desk, chair, lamp, closet, television, phone, and air conditioning. The program cost is based on double occupancy room rate.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition and fees is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit and fees, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $221 (per 3 credit class: $655); undergraduate out-of-state, $439 (per 3 credit class: $1,309); graduate in-state, $455 (per 3 credit class: $1,357); graduate out-of-state, $567 ($1,693 per 3 credit class).
Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B at (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or see our Web site for further details.
If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time can take up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.
The non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2010 (both amounts may be billed at the same time).
All withdrawals must be made in writing and submitted to the Director of Education Abroad.
The refund schedule is as follows:
- Prior to April 15: I am eligible for a refund of the portionof the program fee that has not already been expended in payment of costs outlined on the individual program sheet in support of my participation. I understand that, as the spring progresses, the charges may reflect an increasing amount, depending on what payments have been made on my behalf. After April 15, I understand that the entire program fee may be due. I understand that the refund amount cannot be determined until I formally submit written withdrawal from the program.
- After April 15: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after April 15, I understand that I must provide a physician’s certification that my condition prohibits participation. In this case, refunds will be limited to recoverable expenses.
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. The university reserves the right to revise or alter all fees, regulations pertaining to student fees, and fee collection procedures at any time.
