Studying Abroad in Beijing, China

                                                                       The Great Wall

Program Information

Throughout the centuries, Beijing has been the political and cultural center of China. Today, the city is a fascinating mix of ancient and modern with traditional temples sitting in the shadow of modern sky-rises. The city is bustling with business, tourism, and constant construction, and there will be even more rapid development as China prepares now for the 2008 Olympics. Beijing is also an excellent transportation hub, which makes travel to countless other exciting cities and experiences possible during your stay in China.

Pacific's program in China is run as a cooperative program with the Oregon University System's Academic Exchange Program. At the Central University for Nationalities (CUN), Pacific students have the opportunity to meet Chinese students from all over China. More than 8,000 students from the minority regions such as Tibet, Mongolia, and Xinjiang come to Central University for Nationalities to study. CUN is a comprehensive university with humanities as its focus and ethnic studies as one of its unique characteristics. CUN also provides opportunities for students to learn about the cultures of China's 56 ethnic cultures.

Curriculum

The 15-week program in Beijing includes 12 weeks of intensive language at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels. You will study 18-20 hours per week for 12 weeks. This is equivalent to a full year of non intensive language instruction in the United States. In addition, a culture course on Chinese minorities is taught by a resident Oregon faculty member. The course includes a 12-day study tour to minority regions in China where you can experience first-hand the traditions and customs of the local culture.

Housing and Meals

A foreign student dormitory, which also houses the foreign affairs office and the Oregon University System program office is available. In most cases, there will be two people in a room. Each room has a bathroom, a TV and a telephone. There are Korean and Japanese students living into the dorm and you may request one of them as a roommate if you want to avoid speaking English as much as possible. You may also request a home stay family. Meals are available at several student cafeterias on campus, and there many ethnic restaurants in the surrounding area.