Our goal is to offer every course every term, but sometimes factors like faculty availability, student course rankings, and program enrollment keep us from reaching that goal. If you’re concerned about needing to enroll in one particular course, please contact us!
CET Beijing: Summer Study Abroad
CET Beijing: Summer At-a-Glance
Summer
- Arrival: 06/11/2025
- Departure: 08/09/2025
- Recommended Credits: 9
- Fee: $8,490
- Application Deadline: March 1
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a high advanced Chinese learner, a summer of study abroad in Beijing immerses you in Chinese language and culture at every turn. An intensive curriculum, a full-time language pledge, and a local roommate gives you the skills to study in and navigate China. You’ll see significant language gains and study habits to keep you ahead of the curve for years to come.
Academics in Beijing
Semester
Snapshot
- Pre-requisites: None
- 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 take one comprehensive Chinese language course for a total of 9 credits.
Intensive Chinese Language
Take your Chinese to new heights this summer
Intensive language learning. Each day, you have 4.5 hours of Chinese language classes with some of the best teachers in the field. We flood you with new material, but we also make sure that you have plenty of time to practice it. From joining faculty at a local tea house to getting your roommate’s help with homework, you’ll understand more than you think possible sooner than you can imagine.
Beijing as your classroom. Attend a dumpling making class and learn relevant vocabulary and grammar, head to a nearby school and discuss your home culture with local students, and even present at the Education Summit alongside your peers. No matter your language level, your summer in Beijing is filled with immersive experiences that have you using your Chinese all around the city.
Housing and Meals
- Dormitory
- On-campus housing
- Live with a local roommate
- 2 people/room
- En suite bathroom, communal kitchen, pay for washer access
- Wifi access, A/C, linens, basic furnishing, shared laundry rooms
Living Like a Local
Local Roommates. You live with a local 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 instant 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 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. Learn more about accommodating your dietary needs in Beijing.
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, Peking Duck, northern Chinese accent, major transport hub
Historical and cultural sites meet the modern comforts of a globalized, first-tier city. And as the country’s capital, you can find communities, cultures, and cuisines from all over China. Hop on a bikeshare to study at a new café near campus. Grab dinner with your roommate at their favorite restaurant in Beijing, then meet more friends for a night of karaoke. Get lost in the hutongs (traditional alleyways) and see everything from traditional tea houses to artfully-curated shops and even snack streets. And on the weekends, explore more of China via high-speed rail.
Experience Beijing with CET
Around the city. 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 even more to see on your own.
A Weekend Away. Sometimes it’s nice to get out of the city and back to nature. Once a summer, the program takes you on a weekend trip to another part of China. Navigate the winding peaks of Wang Xiang Yan and enjoy the mist of waterfalls at Tao Hua Gu in Anyang. Or visit the Yungang Caves in Datong to witness remnants of the Silk Road and art inspired by Indian, Persian, and Greek influences. See the incredible Purple Mountain Park in Nanjing, then take time on your own to explore.
Student Resources
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.
Program Fees
Summer
$8,490
What's Included
Tuition
All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.
Housing
We arrange for you to live in a shared apartment with a local roommate. Your program fees go toward rent, furnishing, and other management costs.
Staff Support
From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.
Visa Fees & Support
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.
Insurance
You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan through GeoBlue that even includes medical evacuation coverage.
Activities & Excursions
The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. All you need to do is remember to bring your camera!
Course Materials
Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.
Transcript
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.
More on finances
Program Fee Breakdown. Of the total program fee, $6,792 goes to tuition and fees, and $1,698 goes to housing and other student life fees.
Local Cost of Living. Day-to-day cost of living in Beijing is generally cheaper than the United States. Meals and transit are cheaper, but western comforts (restaurants, coffee, etc.) cost about the same or more than they do in the US.
Estimated out-of-pocket expenses:
- Round-trip Airfare: $1,500 - $1,800
- Meals: $850
- Personal Expenses: $900
- Housing Deposit: $50
additional resources
How to Apply
Eligibility
- • Pre-requisites: None. Open to students of any Chinese level, including absolute beginners
- • 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 is recommended, students with lower GPAs will be asked for a faculty recommendation to supplement their application
- • Open to all levels of Chinese, from absolute beginner to advanced
Online Application Form
This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.
Passport Information
Upload a scan of your passport to your CET Compass account. This should be a single scan that includes the signed signature page and the photo/personal details page. Don’t have a passport yet? Let us know and we can help advise you.
Language Level Recommendation
This is an online form that your current or most recent language instructor completes to help us get an idea of your language level. Use the link in your CET Compass account to send the recommendation request.
Study Abroad Office Recommendation
This is an online form that your study abroad office completes 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 your CET Compass account.
Official Transcript
Your CET Compass account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.
Have a question? Get in touch!
Tara Strauch
Student Services Coordinator
202.349.7325
[email protected]
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.