Why Janterm at CET Beijing?
CET Beijing’s Janterm students are progress-driven learners committed to taking on a challenging five weeks of Chinese language learning. This condensed term abroad offers all the advantages of a full semester—intensive classes, a language pledge, a local roommate—but in a quarter of the time. Janterm can be taken on its own or paired with a spring semester in Greater China.
Academics
Semester
Snapshot
- Recommended Credits: 5
- 4.5 hours/day of Chinese learning
- Daily one-on-one sessions
- Full-time language pledge
- Out-of-class learning & assignments
- Host University: Capital Normal University
Curriculum & Syllabi
You take one comprehensive Chinese language course for 5 credits.

Intensive Chinese Language Learning
You study Chinese language for 4.5 hours a day with some of the best teachers in the field. We flood you with new material, but we also make sure language is not taught in isolation. Each week, classes study a particular theme, with an out-of-the-classroom language practicum one of those days. You might study a Chinese Holiday one week and visit the Capital Museum the next.
Practice Makes Perfect
An intensive language program isn’t just about fast-paced language classes. It’s about one-on-one sessions with a teacher each day. It’s about interviewing locals for your assignments. It’s about committing to a 24/7 language pledge. It’s about coming home on a weeknight and unpacking your day with your roommate in Chinese. This program pulls it all together, and Janterm gives your Chinese the boost it needs to continue on to a spring semester in China or continue your studies back home.

"The teachers that I was so privileged to have at CET Beijing were excellent, in and out of the classroom. They were always willing to help, regardless of the subject matter. The office faculty made themselves available to you throughout the day leaving their door open and encouraging students to stop by, even if it was just to chat."
Kalamazoo College | Janterm 2020
Housing & Meals
COVID Modifications
Because of precautions CET is taking related to COVID-19, your housing experience will look different from standard programming. Please see the COVID playbook page for more information.
- Dormitory
- On-campus housing
- Live with a Chinese student
- 2 people/room
- En suite bathroom, communal kitchen, paid washer access
- Wifi access, A/C, linens, basic furnishing
You share a furnished room with a local roommate in a recently renovated dormitory. The building is primarily for CET students in an all-Chinese area of CNU’s main campus, where you won’t hear much English on your way to play ping pong with your roommate, go for a run on the track, or grab breakfast at the canteen.

Local Roommates
Your roommate is a CET-picked student from Capital Normal University. Want to grab a bubble tea after class? Need to know how to navigate the transportation system? Need to know which pop star you should be listening to? Sharing a room with a local roommate gives you instant insider’s access to the city. But more importantly, it gives you someone to share the city with.
Eating in Beijing
For meals, take your pick of the city’s many cheap eateries, try out each of the campus cafeterias, or cook with your roommate in the dorm’s communal kitchen. And in the capital city, you have access to regional cuisines from all over China. But don’t forget to try some of Beijing’s specialty dishes… Peking duck, anyone?


Life in Beijing
- Known locally as: 北京 Běijīng
- Population: 21.54 million
- Local Currency: Chinese Yuan, aka renminbi
- Famous for: The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Peking Duck, northern Chinese accent, major transport hub
People flock to Beijing to experience the cultural and political capital of China. Historical and cultural sites are everywhere— including 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites—the standard local accent makes it a great place to study language, and the accessible public transportation makes it easy for students to get around. And in a bustling city with a lively calendar of events like Beijing, you’ll never be bored.
Activities & Excursions
Around Beijing
Experience the grand, ancient architecture of the Forbidden City from within its walls, then hike up the hill in Jingshan Park for one of the best views in the city. Try ice skating at the Summer Palace. Go see a comedy show in Chinese. Get to know local students over a game of badminton. Every Janterm offers different activities and opportunities to help you discover the bustling city of Beijing.

"Each week's lessons had a broad theme, and each Wednesday we would leave campus to visit a public place that revolved around that topic. For example, when we were studying environmental issues, we had the opportunity to visit a NGO based in Beijing that does global work to encourage sustainable economic development. "
Kalamazoo College | Janterm 2020
On-site Staff

Zhu Li
Director of China Programs

Omega Tennant
Resident Director

Program Fees
Janterm
|
$4,590
Janterm: $4,590
Of the total program fee, $3,650 goes to tuition and fees, and $940 goes to housing and other related costs.
All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.
We arrange for you to live in a dormitory with a local roommate. Your program fees go toward rent, furnishing, and other management costs.
From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.
You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan that includes medical evacuation coverage.
The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. All you need to do is remember to bring your camera!
We guide you step-by-step through the visa process. You’ll need to do the legwork, but we pay the consular fees if you obtain your visa through the service we recommend.
Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you in Beijing.
You’ll also receive an official transcript jointly issued by CET and CNU at the end of the term. You also have the option to request a School of Record transcript from the University of Minnesota for an additional fee if necessary.
Estimated
Out-of-Pocket
Costs
- Round-trip Airfare: $1,250-$1,500
- Meals: $350
- Personal Expenses: $450
- Housing Deposit: $50
- Local Cell Phone Plan/SIM Card: $25
- Must be 18 or older at the time of program participation.
- Open to students from any US college or university
- GPA: 3.0 or higher preferred, but admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis; lower GPAs still encouraged to apply
- Open to all levels of Chinese, from absolute beginner to advanced
Complete the application through your online CET account. This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.
You send an online recommendation form to a faculty member that can vouch for you academically.
This is an online form that your study abroad office fills out to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. In your online CET account, simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor to send the electronic form request.
Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript to complete your application.
Janterm deadline:
October 1st
Price Subject to Change:
CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.

Have a question? Get in touch!
Tara Sun Vanacore
Senior Program Manager, China
Advises on CET programs in Beijing and Middlebury in China programs
202.785.2006
[email protected]