Program Details
Program Eligibility
Photos
Program Map
Program Locations
You may take a day trip to this location. MuTianYu refers to a section of the Great Wall of China located northeast of central Beijing.
Beijing's art gallery district. You may take a trip here to explore the many galleries.
Closest subway stop to the program.
2nd closest subway stop to our program.
This restaurant is always popular among our students and their roomates for delicious, reasonably prices Northeastern (DongBei) Chinese dishes. It's a 5 minute walk away from our campus. *Unsure on location.
We usually take students on a boat ride through Beijing's imperial canals to the Summer Palace, where they can explore on their own for a few hours.
A popular outing for students to get a look at pandas a short walk from our school.
A must-see for all students in Beijing. It's easily accessible for students via subway, and so we don't usually take students as a group.
Popular tourist site for our students to visit on their own.
Popular tourist site for our students to visit on their own; we also incorporate it into an optional activity 'Beijing style' at the end of orientation.
Beijing's main expat neighborhood. Has lots of western bars and restaurants for students who might be feeling a little homesick.
International student neighborhood with many universities a short subway ride from our campus.
One of Beijing's many 'seas' (i.e. lakes), the area surrounding HouHai has become a trendy neighborhood that students like to hang out in. They can also rent paddleboats and explore by water or have a picnic on the lake.
We usually take students on a weekend excursion here after the midterm. It's where the oracle bones were discovered, and also allows students to get a glimpse of Chinese life in cities less international than Beijing, Shanghai and Xian.
Popular place for students to shop for souvenirs (and pearls if they like )
Popular market to buy knock-off brand name goods
Popular weekend trip for students on their own.
Popular weekend trip for students on their own.
Popular weekend trip for students on their own.
Most students fly into Terminal 3 when arriving in Beijing.
Our campus!
One of China's most famous and prestigious universities
One of China's most famous and prestigious universities
An area of Beijing famous for electronics markets
About
This 30-year old program is based in Beijing, China’s cosmopolitan capital city and the home of putonghua, “the common language,” otherwise known as Mandarin. The city offers something for everyone—the Forbidden City and its surrounding traditional hutong neighborhoods for history buffs, glitzy shopping districts for fashionistas, wholesale and flea markets for bargain hunters, galleries and museums for art connoisseurs, athletic events for sports fans. This program challenges students to get out the door and discover their niche in a city that will become a second home.
The program is located at the main campus of Capital Normal University (CNU). CNU is large university with many amenities including a gymnasium, sports fields, libraries, student centers, and cafeterias. The campus is located near subway and bus stops, allowing easy and inexpensive access to all of Beijing.
This is currently the only program open to all students whose credit has been pre-approved by the Department of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies.
Program Model
Housing & Meals
Students reside in a dormitory on CNU’s campus. Program participants share a double room with a Chinese roommate.
Dorm rooms are simple, but comfortable, with basic furnishings, air conditioning, and attached bathrooms. The building is equipped with wi-fi, and offers shared laundry and kitchen facilities.
Meals are not included in the program fee. Students explore the area's numerous eateries, or use their CNU-issued student ID card to access teh many, and very inexpensive, campus cafeterias.
Sharing a room with a local roommate is frequently cited by students as “one of the best parts of the program.” Many students become good friends with their roommates, and roommates often invite students to their homes for a weekend or holiday.
Chinese roommates are selected from local Beijing universities. All roommates agree to abide by the full-time language pledge.
The program facilitates the roommate relationship. Chinese roommates attend some excursions, plan activities, and present a lecture series to their peers. Beyond this, the program steps out of the way to allow roommates to develop natural cross-cultural relationships that move beyond the host-guest paradigm.
Excursions
During the summer term, most activities are language-based. They provide fun ways to explore Beijing while working in some Chinese language practice. Students explore the city with their Chinese roommates and participate in many out-of-classroom activities.
For a midsummer break, the program arranges 1 overnight weekend trip to a nearby city.
Learning Outcomes
- Augment your cross-cultural understanding through interaction with Chinese students and community members
- Experience China and international perspectives on the world through direct contact with Chinese nationals and other US students
- Gain 1 full year of Chinese language instruction in an 8-week intensive summer program
- Enhance your intentionality through independent, though supported, living and learning opportunities
Faculty & Staff
Beijing faculty members are hired independently by CET, our on-site provider. Most instructors come from the host university, Beijing Institute of Education (BIE), and other institutions around the city such as Capital Normal University, Beijing University, Beijing Normal University, and Beijing Language and Culture University.
Chinese language instructors have graduate degrees in Chinese or Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. Many have experience teaching at language programs in the US or at other study abroad programs of similar caliber.
Program Structure
You will take 2 levels of intensive Chinese for the equivalent of 8–10 US semester credits per summer term.
Coursework
Course syllabi are available at CET Beijing: Intensive Language Summer.
BJ/LANG 201 Intermediate Chinese (equiv. to CHN 3021/3022)
BJ/LANG 261 Pre-Advanced Chinese
BJ/LANG 301 Advanced Low Chinese (equiv. to CHN 3031/3032)
BJ/LANG 401 Advanced Chinese
BJ/LANG 501 Advanced High Chinese
Global Identity
Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.
To access more information about the course, visit the Global Identity Course Information page.
Program Dates
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
Summer 2024
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Program Dates: June 12–August 10, 2024
Orientation Dates & Locations
Orientation will be conducted in 2 parts: an online orientation—which is mandatory—and an in-person, program-specific session. You will receive more information about the online orientation via email. Failure to complete the online orientation will impact your ability to go abroad.
See below for tentative dates and times for your in-person session. You will be notified of the official date and time via email. You will receive applicable orientation materials via email approximately 1 week prior to the in-person session.
Fees
University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.
Summer 2024 Cost of Participation
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Bridging Loan
Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the upfront deposit and flights costs, is available for this program for eligible students.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Summer 2024
Language Immersion in ChinaSummer 2024 |
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Program Fee
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Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
Tuition and educational costs | $6,516 |
International health insurance | $134 |
Housing and/or mealsStandard program housing (no meals included) | $1,740 |
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) | $0 |
Total Program Fee | $8,790 |
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $0 |
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $8,790 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
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Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
Transportation to and from program siteRound trip international airfare (originates from MSP or home) | $1,800 |
Passport/photos | $150 |
Visa/required documents | $0 |
Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
Housing deposit | $50 |
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $2,000 |
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
Texts/materials | $0 |
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeMeals (not included in program fee) | $850 |
Essential daily living expenses | $900 |
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $1,750 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $12,540 |
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $1,000 |
Additional Notes & Information | |
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. |
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
Upon submitting the LAC's online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating you have opened an application.
At this point, you will be assigned an application checklist to complete the remaining portion of your application. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are received.
- Begin an application on CET's online application portal
- Submit the Study Abroad Office Recommendation Request form at least two weeks before the application deadline
- The Faculty Recommendation is not required for University of Minnesota students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, CET may request this on a case-by-case basis.
This is a Learning Abroad Center (LAC) program offered in partnership with CET. You will complete application materials for both the Learning Abroad Center and CET. Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you on the respective online application portals.
Next Steps
Next Steps:
- When your LAC application is complete, you will receive notification that your application is "under review" by LAC staff. The LAC will complete and submit the CET Study Abroad Office Recommendation Form to notify them that we have nominated* you for the program and allows CET to begin reviewing your application. The LAC does not make program acceptance decisions. *nominated means that you meet basic eligibility requirements for your program.
- CET will review your application and notify you of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation (post-acceptance) checklist of new tasks to complete by both the Learning Abroad Center and CET. Log in to both application portals to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items to confirm your participation in the program.
You may not participate in this program until you have submitted all of your LAC confirmation checklist items to the Learning Abroad Center.
If you decide not to continue with the application process, please be advised of our Cancellation Policy, and notify the Learning Abroad Center by submitting a Cancel Request in the application system, or by email.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Contact Program Alum
Below is a list of students who participated in past program sessions. They are ready and willing to answer your questions about this program. Feel free to contact them during your decision-making process or anytime during your pre-departure preparation to get a student perspective.
- Maddy Koerner, Asian Languages & Literatures and Biology, Society & Environment major, Flagship student, Summer 2018
- Matthew Bluhm, Env Sciences Policy & Mgmt and Asian Languages & Literatures major, Soil Sciences minor, Flagship student, Summer 2018
- Sophia Dooly—Asian Languages & Literatures and History major, Flagship student, Summer 2017