Why CET Beijing?
Semester students at CET Beijing are hard-working and dedicated to immersing themselves in Chinese culture to improve their language skills. With an intensive curriculum, a full-time language pledge, and a local roommate who brings language practice into your home life, you will see language gains that astonish you.
Academics
Semester
Snapshot
- Recommended Credits: 17
- 20 hours/week of Chinese learning
- One-on-one sessions
- Full-time language pledge
- Out-of-class learning & assignments
- Host University: Capital Normal University
Curriculum & Syllabi
You are placed into the appropriate level of Chinese language for a total of 17 recommended credits.
You are placed into one of these 17-credit courses:
You are placed into this 14-credit course:
Then you choose one of these 3-credit electives:
You are placed into one of these 11-credit courses:
You also take this corresponding 3-credit course:
Then you choose one of these 3-credit electives:
- BJ/LANG 420: Advanced Chinese Newspaper
- BJ/LANG 440: Advanced Business Chinese
- BJ/LANG 455: Independent Study
Intensive Language Learning
You take 20 hours/week of Chinese language classes with some of the best teachers in the field. Your hours are broken up between core classes, where you focus as a group on grammar, drill, and discussion, and supplementary hours where you get more individualized attention. Twice a week, you have a one-on-one with an instructor to cover anything you’re struggling with in class or engage in further discussion about what you’re learning. And with a local roommate and a full-time language pledge… your Chinese language skills will grow by leaps and bounds in just one semester.
Beijing as your Classroom
Your classes get you practicing your Chinese out in the city, where it counts. At least twice a semester, you have a week-long language practicum. You focus in-depth on a topic like the lives of Chinese senior citizens, Chinese holidays, or China’s environmental problems. Start the week learning about that topic in class through readings, videos, and discussion. Then add dimension to your understanding by getting out of the classroom to see what local people have to say about your topic. The week finishes with a presentation of your findings.
"Starting at the beginner class was challenging—I lost my personality at the beginning but gained much more than my personality at the end. I learn about north versus southern Chinese culture and language, where the locals eat, how to make jokes, have the confidence to ask questions/join clubs, meet new friends outside of CET, dream in Chinese, to be able to travel using Chinese, this list could go on forever."
University of Kansas | Academic Year student
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, pay for washer access
- Wifi access, A/C, linens, basic furnishing, shared laundry rooms
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. Your roommate will serve as a tremendous resource to help you setup your Chinese cell phone, show you how to order in the cafeteria, or help you find the best bubble tea around.
Local Roommates
Your roommate is a CET-picked student from Capital Normal University. Want to learn where to get the best zhajiangmian (noodles with garlic sauce)? What buses to avoid at rush hour? Where to listen to live music? 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 budget-friendly campus cafeterias, try every nearby noodle shop, or find your favorite neighborhood restaurant. And don’t forget to find your favorite Peking Duck spot—you’re living in Beijing after all.
Feeling like a home-cooked meal? Have a night in with your roommate and trade cooking tips as you prepare dinner together in the dorm shared kitchen.
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. Spend a semester experiencing incredible food, meeting wonderful people, and enjoying a front row seat to China’s developments.
Activities & Excursions
Around Beijing
Each term, the program offers different extra-curricular activities that let you see the city, learn about Chinese culture, or just unwind with your classmates and roommates. Learn traditional Chinese painting techniques. See a Chinese improv show. Make dumplings then devour them for dinner. And there’s more of Beijing to explore on your own— experience the colors and sounds of a Peking Opera show, learn how to play jianzi (Chinese hackey sack) with locals in Beihai Park, wander the hutongs (traditional residential area with narrow alleys).
See a New City
Enjoy worry-free travel with CET-hosted trips that take you out of Beijing. You might join your roommates on a trip to Xi’an to see the Terracotta Warriors, Hangzhou to hike around the visit beautiful West Lake, or travel to Nanjing to walk on the ancient city wall. Every term is different. Half the fun is getting there. Playing cards on an overnight train ride is a great way to make new friends.
"I went from knowing no Chinese at all to being able to hold a conversation with others in Chinese and navigate my daily life in a Chinese-speaking country. This program has provided me a strong foundation from which to continue building my Chinese-language skills, which is exactly what I wanted out of this experience."
University of Kansas | Fall student
On-site Staff
Zhu Li
Director of China Programs
Omega Tennant
Resident Director
Program Fees
Fall/Spring
|
$15,990
Fall/Spring: $15,990
Of the total program fee, $12,530 goes to tuition and fees, and $3,460 goes to housing and other student life fees.
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 receive a 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: $1,250
- Personal Expenses: $1,400
- Housing Deposit: $50
- Local Cell Phone Plan/SIM Card: $200
- 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.
Use the link in your online account to send a recommendation request to one of your previous instructors.
This is an online form that your study abroad office fills out to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request, simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of of your online account.
Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.
Fall deadline:
May 1st
Spring deadline:
November 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]