Fall Semester – 18 weeks (early September to late December)
Spring Semester – 18 weeks (February to June)
Academic Year

Spring Semester 2010 closed

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

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Students participating in this program will have the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and history while studying Chinese language at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou - one of the most beautiful and historic cities in China.

Hangzhou is a vibrant and modern city that features the West Lake, mountains with Buddhist and Daoist temples, exciting museums, and local silk, porcelain, and tea markets. It was the capital of China during the 11th and 12th centuries and the provincial museum is located in the one-time Imperial Palace.  Hangzhou is close to Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing and many other places of historic and scenic interest.

Zheijang University was founded in 1897 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China.  The International College, which is responsible for all aspects of the life and study for International students, has over 2,000 students from 90 countries.

What can I study?

The program features 20 hours of language classes per week, divided into five areas – grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Language courses are offered at three levels - beginning, intermediate and advanced.  Based on a placement test, students will take language at the appropriate level. 

A series of short seminars in Chinese culture and history, focusing on philosophy, religion, geography, business, art, and more, will also be offered.  One field trip during the semester will also be integrated into the semester.

Students will be required to enroll for a minimum of 12, maximum of 16, credits per semester. MSU equivalencies will be available in the following courses:

• CHS 201 (Second-Year Chinese I)
• CHIS 202 (Second-Year Chinese II)
• CHS 301 (Third-Year Chinese I)
• CHS 302 (Third-Year Chinese II)
• CHS 350 (Studies in the Chinese Language)
• CHS 401 (Fourth-Year Chinese I)
• CHS 402 (Fourth-Year Chinese II)
• ASN 290 (Independent Study)
• ASN 291 (Special Topics in Asian Languages)
• ASN 401 (East Asian Cultures)
• ASN 490 (Independent Study)
• ASN 491 (Special Topics in Asian Languages)

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details see co-sponsored programs.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Registrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

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

What are the requirements?

This program is open to MSU students who are in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Students must also have completed one year of Chinese language and must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

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 may live in a number of accommodations – the newest of which has the option of single or double room with air-conditioning and private bathrooms plus Internet access.  Rooms can range from $7 to $10 per night.

Meals may be taken in student cafeterias or in one of the many small restaurants which surround the campus. Costs are generally $4 to $8 per day for meals in the cafeterias.

Hangzhou is fairly flat (except for the surrounding mountains which contain many hiking trails, temples, and scenic walkways) and most students purchase bicycles for their stay.  The cost is approximately $40 and the bikes are available at the beginning of the semester on campus.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. David Prestel
Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian, and African Languages
A615 Wells Hall
Phone:  (517) 353-0740

Chunhong Teng
Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian, and African Languages
A619 Wells Hall
Phone:  (517) 432-1235

Do I need a passport or visa?

A valid passport and visa are required for entry into China.  Participants will work directly with Zhejiang University staff to process their visa applications once they have been accepted into the program.

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.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

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.

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.

How much does it cost?

The program fee for Spring 2010 is $1,612 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• tuition and fees (12-16 credits)
• accident and sickness insurance
• one field trip per semester

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

• transportation to China
• accommodations
• meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees ($50)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $6,039 for Spring 2010.  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.

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 deadlines to apply for these scholarships are February 1st for spring break programs, March 1st for summer, academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for winter break and spring semester 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.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester participation and March 1st for fall or academic year participation.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

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.

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 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).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.