Announcements

Rutgers Summer Chinese Program at Jilin University in Changchun, China

Note: All details of the program described below are tentative and subject to change. Finalization of the program plan is usually made by the early months of the Spring semester.

Introduction: The Rutgers University Department of Asian Languages and Cultures now offers a summer lanuage program in China at Jilin University in the modern city of Changchun. The program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to study Chinese in a native environment. Located in the center of the Northeast China (Songliao) Plain, Changchun is the capital of Jilin Province. Its location in the Standard Mandarin speaking North makes Changchun an excellent environment for studing Standard Chinese. Changchun University is one of the best university environments in China for learning Chinese as a second language, currently enrolling over a thousand international students. On the Jilin University campus, students will have access to the Internet as well as several gym facilities, including a basketball court, a swimming pool and a weight room. There are several marketplaces on and nearby the University campus. The program is held under the direction of a Professor of Chinese at Rutgers.

Eligibility: The program is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has completed at least one year of college level Chinese language study, or the equivalent, by the start of the program. Current and prospective Rutgers students in particular are encouraged to join the program. Applications will be considered as soon as they are complete, and the applicant will be notified of the decision promptly. Applications received after April 1 will be processed on a space available basis.

Dates: Six weeks in July and August, generally coresponding to the Second Term of the Rutgers Summer Session.

Housing: Students are housed in double rooms at Jilin University. Note: Because of the short length of the program, it is not possible to arrange Chinese roommates for the program. But students in the program will have an opportunity to make Chinese friends and have "Language Tutoring Partners."

Tutoring: Jilin University provides tutoring partners for our program's students who will work with them in the afternoons, after classes, and on weekends. The tutors are students from the Jilin University Chinese Department who are interested in meeting friends from the United States.

Cultural Activities: Students have the option to participate in various cultural activities offered in the afternoon, such as Chinese kung fu and traditional Chinese painting.

Cultural Excursions: Program participants participate in afternoon and weekend group excursions within Changchun and to various famous sites and cities, such as Beijing, Shenyang, Harbin, Dalian, Chengde, and Chengbei Mountain. There is also a longer excursion in the last week of the program. Excursions will be accompanied by guides who are knowledgeable in the history and culture of the places to be visited.

Transportation: Students will arrange air travel to Beijing and Changchun independently, though the program provides participants with information regarding low-cost round trip air travel between Newark and China. Group travel is included in the program fee. Students are responsible for their own travel expenses for any time they spend in China before the program begins or after the end of the program.

Program Costs: Varies yearly, estimated at $3,000-$3,700 (4 to 9 credits). The Rutgers Study Abroad office tries to keep costs as low as possible for students and still maintain a quality program. Normally 50% of the program fee is payable upon acceptance and the balance by May 10th. Late payment is subject to a $50 late fee. Under no circumstances are students allowed to participate in the program who have not paid in full before the program begins.
Program costs include tuition, room, and group excursions. Students must purchase their own round-trip air tickets between the U.S. and China and pay for all their own meals (estimated at $400 for 30 days), their own personal expenses, dental work, vacation travel, books, etc. and travel/health insurance for the duration of the program. The program accepts no responsibility for personal property which must be insured separately if so desired. The program reserves the right to make any changes necessitated by circumstances.

Refunds: Students withdrawing before May 10th will receive a 50% re-fund of their initial payment. There will be no refunds after May 10th.

Application Procedure: All inquiries must be sent to the address below, not to the Registrar of the Summer Session.

For further information please write to:

Summer Study in Changchun, China
c/o Professor R. VanNess Simmons
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Department of Asian Languages and Cultures
330 Scott Hall
43 College Ave,
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Telephone: (732) 932-7605
or e-mail: rsimmon@rci.rutgers.edu

For information and applications, contact Rutgers Study Abroad Office:

Rutgers Study Abroad
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
102 College Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8543
Telephone: (732)932-7787
Fax: (732)932-8659
e-mail: RU_Abroad@email.rutgers.edu
Rutgers Study Abroad Website

Program of Courses: Students enroll in one to three courses, totaling either 4 or 9 credits, from the following list:

•    01:165:205 Intermediate Chinese in China (Cr. 4)
        Prerequisite: Chinese 102 or equivalent.

•    01:165:305 Advanced Chinese in China (Cr. 4)
        Prerequisite: Chinese 202 or equivalent.

     (Students will be placed in either 165:205 or 165:305 depending upon ability.)

•    01:165:111 or 112 Chinese Calligraphy (Cr. 2,2)

•    01:165:493 or 494 Independent Study Option(Cr. 3,3 )

In the future the mix of program courses may also be able to include:

•    01:165:321 or 322 Introduction to Literary Chinese (3)

Classes: Language classes meet five days a week. Calligraphy classes meet two days a week. Regular attendance is expected. Students must arrive on-time to all classes. No eating is allowed in the classrooms.

Placement: Students will be divided into small group classes on the basis of their ability at the start of the program.

Instructional staff: All classes are taught by experienced Chinese language teachers on the faculty of the Chinese Department of Jilin University at the appropriate level - i.e. Intermediate or Advanced - for the course.

Language pledge: Students pledge to speak only Chinese during the duration of the program.

Excursions: Group excursions are offered as an integral part of the program course work and all students are expected to participate.

Grades: Grades are based on examinations and class performance according to the Rutgers University system in consultation with the Faculty of the Department of Asian Languages and the Director of the Summer Program in Jilin. All students receive a regular Rutgers University Summer Session grade report.