Program Description

This 6-week, 6-credit summer program is sponsored directly by Beijing Language & Culture University in Mainland China and strongly recommended by Villanova University Chinese Program. This program is designed for students who are pursuing VU Chinese Minor or just interested in Chinese language and civilization. Every Villanova student who participates in this program can earn up to 6 Villanova credits after completion.

Summer Study in China Program provides great opportunities to study Chinese language, culture, literature, history, art, theater, business and watch Chinese society and daily life in person. Different levels of Chinese language study - from beginning to advanced- will be offered in a highly immersive, integrated Chinese environment.

Dates and Locations
Dates: June 14 – July 22, 2009

Locations:
June 15-23, 2009: Chinese cultural site studies in Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Xian and Beijing.

June 25- July 22: Chinese language study on Beijing Language & Culture University campus.

Language Study and Excursions

Every student should take 4-week, 80-hour intensive language classes at Beijing Language & Culture University and additional 2-week Chinese cultural site-studies in 4-5 cities of mainland China. Prior to departure from US, there will be two orientations on Villanova campus.

Students will go to Beijing, Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Xian for Chinese cultural site studies. During the site studies, students have chances to meet Chinese businessmen and manufacturers; talk with Chinese families; camp with Chinese universities' students; visit Chinese industry and research institutions; tour Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terra Cotta Warriors site, Olympic Park, art works and museums. Chinese ancient and traditional music, dance, acrobatics and Gongfu performances will be also appreciated.

Housing and Meals

Students will live on Beijing Language & Culture University campus during the entire language study session. On-campus dining service is provided by BLCU at reasonable cost. For 2-week on road culture studies, students will stay in three-star hotels and have arranged and paid meals.

Villanova Credits

Completion of this program and approval by Office of International Studies of Villanova University will earn maximum six transferable credits which can satisfy up to two VU courses* which may meet Villanova University language requirement, Chinese Minor, International Business and East Asian Studies Concentration requirement.

Additional Administrative Requirements

Students must meet with an advisor from the VU Office of International Studies (OIS) to complete a Prior Approval process. This is a mandatory process to receive VU credits. Credits will not be recognized if the OIS is not involved in the credit approval process.

2009 Itinerary

April 03  F  VU Pre-Departure Orientation 1

April 17  F  VU Pre-Departure Orientation 2

June 14  Su  Depart from USA

June 15  M  Arrive in Shanghai, China

June 16  T  Bird’s eye view from Shanghai International Financial Center’s Glass Sky Corridor on the 100th floor and site study Introduction of Contemporary China. Visit Yu Garden and site study Introduction of Chinese Folk Art. Evening Bund cruise tour.

June 17  W  Visit Bao Steel Group and Volkswagen China automobile assembly line and site study China State-run Manufacturer & Germany-China joint venture. Enjoy Chinese traditional acrobatics performance.

June 18  R  Go to Wuxi and attend the Nine Dragons Showering Ceremony and visit The Great Buddha on Lingshan mountain and site study Religions in China. Go to Suzhou in the afternoon. Visit Suzhou Silk Embroider Institute, The First Silk Factory and site study: Traditional Chinese Handcraft Industry.

June 19  F  Go to Hangzhou. Tour West Lake and Xitang. Enjoy outdoor performance of Impression West Lake directed by Zhang Yimou

June 20  Sa  Fly to Xian. Visit Terra Cotta Warriors Figurine Site and XiAn Ancient City Wall and site study Chinese History. Enjoy performance: Tang Dynasty Music & Dance

June 21  Su  Tour Great Goose Pagoda and XiAn Historical Museum and site study: Chinese Archeology. Fly to Beijing

June 22  M  Visit Tian An Men Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven

June 23  T  Visit Olympic Park, Bird’s Nest, Water Cube

June 24  W  Free activities

June 25  R  Placement Test on BLCU campus

June 26-July 21  Intensive Chinese Language Study on Beijing Language & Culture University campus

July TBA  Visit the Great Wall

July TBA  Gongfu Performance by Shaolin Temple monks

July 22  W  Program ends at 12:00 pm local time

July 23  R  Return to USA

Coverage of Tuition and Travel Costs

1. Beijing Language & Culture University application fee (nonrefundable)
2. Chinese Visa fee (nonrefundable)
3. Tuition and Textbooks
4. Campus accommodations
5. BLCU Campus dining meal plan of $100.00
6. Excursion costs including all field trip transportations, accommodations, meals and admissions (Cancellation fee may apply)
 

Exclusion of Coverage

1. Round trip international airline ticket*
2. Overseas emergency insurance and medical insurance
3. Personal expenses
 

Contact Information
Professor Yinliang Chi
Chinese Program, Institute of Global & Interdisciplinary Studies
Office: SAC, room 348
Mail Address:
Old Falvey 204
Villanova University
800 Lancaster Ave.
Villanova, PA 19085
Tel: (610) 519-4702
Email: yinliang.chi@villanova.edu

Application Deadlines and Instructions

1. Send Email to yinliang.chi@villanova.edu for registration before November 21, 2008.
2. Fill out Beijing Language & Culture University Application Form for International Students (available in Villanova Chinese Program SAC 348) and submit it with application fee of $80.00 in cash/check before November 21, 2008.
3. Submit a photocopy of passport front page before November 21, 2008.
4. Non-refundable deposit of $500.00 due on January 30, 2009.
5. Purchase international airline ticket before January 30, 2009.
6. Apply for Chinese visa before April 3, 2009.
7. Full payment due on April 3, 2009.

Immunizations

All students are required to have an up-to-date tetanus booster and the hepatitis A series of 2 shots. The hepatitis B series is recommended as well. Please contact your personal physician to make arrangements and verify your immunization history.

Notices

* Please discuss with Chinese Program for transferable course information.

* As US dollar is unstable, to avoid loss from currency exchange, $50.00 discount will be off the total if full payment is made on Jan. 30, 2009.

* Last year’s roundtrip international airline ticket is about $1,300.00.

* This program is not directly sponsored by Villanova University. However, Villanova University Chinese Program and Beijing Language & Culture University reserve the right to change/modify aspects of this program.

 

*All pictures are from Wikipedia.org except BLCU logo.