One-on-one tutorial. Explore a topic that interests you and learn the technical language you need to turn your knowledge into a senior thesis or graduate school application when you’re back home. In Beijing, past students have explored LGBTQ Life in China, Beijing City Planning, Film Censorship in China, and more.
Middlebury in Beijing
Middlebury in Beijing: At-A-Glance
Fall
- Arrival: 08/25/2027
- Departure: 12/11/2027
- Recommended Credits: 16
- CET Registration Deadline: May 1
SPRING
- Arrival: 02/16/2028
- Departure: 06/03/2028
- Recommended Credits: 16
- CET Registration Deadline: November 1
Get the best of the best—Middlebury’s excellence in language teaching, and CET’s 40+ years of experience in China. You apply through Middlebury and receive a transcript from Middlebury, but the program is open to students from all schools.
Academics at Middlebury
Semester
Snapshot
- Pre-requisite: 4 semesters of Chinese (5 semesters preferred for spring students)
- 16 hours/week of Chinese learning
- One-on-one tutorial
- Specialized electives
- Full-time language pledge
- Out-of-class learning & assignments
- Traveling Seminar
Immersive Learning in Beijing
Intensive curriculum. When you’ve studied Chinese for a few years, you need specialized attention to take your skills to the next level. Under a full-time language pledge, take on a one-on-one research tutorial, Experience Beijing (a course that has you exploring the city as part of class), and two elective courses. Electives are different each semester, but past courses have included Chinese Politics, Chinese Theater, and Classical Chinese.
Traveling Seminar: Learning on the Road
Each semester, we take you on a hands-on excursion to see another side of China. Spend mornings exploring with guided activities on themes like economics, art and architecture, cultural heritage—just to name a few. Then in the afternoons, explore on your own or with fellow students as you conduct field research on a topic of your choice. No term is exactly the same—past terms have traveled to Hangzhou and Kunming. In just one week, this seminar blends academic exploration with the freedom to discover more of China on your terms.
You might be interested in:
Housing and Meals
- Dormitory
- Live with a local roommate
- 2 people/room
- En suite bathroom, communal kitchen, paid washer access in shared laundry room
- Wifi, A/C and heating, basic furnishing, bed linens, weekly linen change, mini fridge available for rental
Living Like a Local
Local Roommates. Live with CET-selected student from Capital Normal University. Let them show you their favorite spots around the city. Learn which apps to download for daily life in Beijing or ask what slang locals have been using lately. Sharing a room with a local roommate brings language learning into your home life and gives you insider’s access to the city. Learn more about living with local roommates.
Eating in Beijing. For meals, take your pick of the budget-friendly campus cafeterias and neighborhood restaurants. And don’t forget to find your favorite spot for Peking Duck—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. Learn more about accommodating your dietary needs in Beijing.
"Our Traveling Seminar in Hangzhou consisted of group activities and our own free time where we had to research our own selected topic in relation to the city. Fun fact: Middlebury’s first Chinese program was in Hangzhou, so some of our teachers had the chance to reconnect with other teachers from the old program as well."
— Alice Chen
Wofford College | Spring student
Wofford College | Spring student
Life in Beijing
- Known locally as: 北京 Běijīng
- Population: 21.89 million
- Local Currency: Chinese Yuan, aka renminbi
- Famous for: The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, 798 Arts District, northern Chinese accent, the Summer Palace, major transport hub, hutong (traditional alleyways)
Historical and cultural sites meet the modern comforts of a globalized, first-tier city. Here, you’ll find communities, cultures, and cuisines from all over China. Hop on a bikeshare to discover your favorite café near campus. Meet up with friends for a night of karaoke. Get lost in the hutongs and discover everything from traditional tea houses to artfully-curated shops and even tasty street snacks. Enjoy a Peking Opera show. And on the weekends, explore more of China via high-speed rail.
Experience Beijing and China
Around the city. Each term, the program offers different activities that let you see the city, learn about Chinese culture, or just unwind with your local roommates. Enjoy an afternoon at a tea house or check out the industrial relics at Shougang Park. Explore the treasures, architecture, and complicated history of the Forbidden City, the imperial palace complex situated in the heart of Beijing. Plus, use your cultural reimbursement stipend to explore even more of the city.
Beyond Beijing. Join your peers to hike an unrestored section of The Great Wall and then spend the night in a rural village. Take in a beautiful sunrise, get to know others on the program, and relax a bit before returning to bustling Beijing.
On-the-ground support
Navigating a new city, country, and culture is a big challenge worth taking—and we’re here to help you along on this adventure. Our on-site team is bilingual, provides round-the-clock support, and is passionate about sharing their love of Beijing (and China!) with you.
How to Apply
Middlebury in Beijing Application Process
This program runs in partnership with Middlebury and has a two-step application—a program application with Middlebury and registration with CET. The deadlines listed here apply to CET registration. Please visit middlebury.edu for more information about completing your application.
CET REGISTRATION
Deadlines
Fall deadline:
May 1
Spring deadline:
November 1
Have a question? Get in touch!
Tara Strauch
Student Services Coordinator
202.349.7325
[email protected]