Chinese Language and Culture in
Tianjin, China

Summer 2010
(This program runs in even-numbered years only)

8 weeks – mid-May to mid-July

Sponsored by the Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages in the College of Arts & Letters

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

China is both old and new.  Although it has 5,000 years of history, China is not an ancient relic but one of the most dynamic emerging forces in the world.  Despite the global economic slow-down, it is still growing.

This study abroad program takes place during the summer of 2010 and is offered by the Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian, and African Languages. It will provide students with a unique opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of the Chinese culture and to observe a society undergoing dramatic transformations while studying Chinese language and culture at one of China’s best universities.

Where does it take place?

Nankai University is located in Tianjin – a city widely known as the Bright Diamond of the Bohai Gulf and the gateway to the capital of China (approximately 75 miles southeast of Beijing).  As one of the largest business and industrial port cities in China, Tianjin has a population over 9.3 million people and a history dating back 600 years.  It is an exciting and dynamic city offering a variety of lively cultural events and festivals including a large number of active theatres, a concert center, museums, galleries, shopping areas, restaurants, and sites of historical and cultural interest on the outskirts of the city.

Founded in 1919, Nankai University is one of the leading educational institutions in China.  It has a student population of over 16,000, of which more than 2,600 are graduate students.  A comprehensive university of high distinction, Nankai is committed to internationalization and has established exchange relationships with over 100 universities in more than 20 countries.  The university has a large and very beautiful campus and its location makes it a gateway to sites of historical interest such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, the ancient city of Xi’an, the Mausoleum of the First Emperor, as well as cities of great cultural significance like Beijing and Shanghai.

What can I study?

Students majoring in Chinese or other Arts & Letters majors, as well as students from other colleges and institutions are encouraged to participate.  Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of nine (9) credits, maximum of twelve (12), in Chinese language and/or Chinese culture courses taught by faculty of Nankai University. 

The program will help students:

In addition to participating in local festivals and guided excursions, students will experience Taiji, Peking opera, Chinese cooking, martial arts, calligraphy and much more!

Course offerings for this program include:

CHS 201	Second-year Chinese I	5 cr.
CHS 202	Second-year Chinese II	5 cr.
CHS 301	Third-year Chinese I	4 cr.
CHS 302	Third-year Chinese II	4 cr.
CHS 350	Studies in the Chinese Language	3 cr.
ASN 401	Chinese History and Culture	3 cr.
ASN 490	Independent Study	1-8 cr.

Students finishing first-year Chinese should enroll in CHS 201 and CHS 202.  Those finishing second-year Chinese should register for CHS 301 and CHS 302.  Students completing third or fourth-year Chinese should discuss their interests with Dr. Chunhong Teng at the study abroad information sessions.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

Students must meet a minimum of a one-year Chinese language requirement and must be in good academic standing, with an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application, and a 3.0 GPA in Chinese language courses. Meeting these minimum grade point averages does not guarantee admission.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will be housed in residence halls for international students at Nankai University.  Located within a beautiful campus environment, the attractive new dormitory offers double rooms, each equipped with a color TV, telephone, and private bathroom.  The residence hall is clean, safe and has a 24-hour reception desk.  Students will have easy access to the Web for a minimum fee and have the choice of dining in student cafeterias or various restaurants on and off campus.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. Chunhong Teng
Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages
A-619 Wells Hall
Phone: (517) 432-1235

Dr. David Prestel
Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages
A-614 Wells Hall
Phone: (517) 353-0740

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Students will be required to obtain a passport and visa for participation in this program.  Details are available from the faculty leaders.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

Students participating in this program are strongly encouraged to receive a series of immunizations specific for travel within Asia.  Students should schedule an appointment to be seen at a travel clinic at least 4-8 weeks before the program to inquire about the recommended and/or required vaccines you may want to consider before departure.

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2008 was $2,955 and included the following:

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs were estimated at $3,106 for 2008.  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs; however, it is strongly recommended that students apply by February 15th due to airfare and visa restrictions.  Final selection of participants may be made as early as mid-January.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission. NOTE: Once the maximum enrollment of 22 students has been reached, the program will be closed.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

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