Our goal is to offer every single course every term, but sometimes factors like faculty availability and program enrollment keep us from reaching that goal. If you’re concerned about needing to enroll in any one particular course, please contact us! We’ll try our best to get you the course you need.
CET Beijing: Summer Study Abroad
CET Beijing: Summer At-a-Glance
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Summer
- Arrival: 06/09/2023
- Departure: 08/05/2023
- Recommended Credits: 9
- Fee: $8,190
- 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.
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
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- 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
Living Like a Local
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. Learn more about living with a local roommate.
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.
*Note: In light of China’s COVID restrictions, the local roommates component of the program may not resume right away. CET will make every effort to make local students a part of the program, likely serving as language exchange partners and cultural resources.
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.
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.
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Student Resources
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On-site Staff
Zhu Li
Director of China Programs
Program Fees
Summer
$8,190
What's Included
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.
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.
You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan through GeoBlue that even 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!
Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.
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, $6,450 goes to tuition and fees, and $1,740 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
- Local Cell Phone Plan/SIM Card: $100
additional resources
How to Apply
Please note that programs in Mainland China have not operated since Fall 2019 due to COVID-19. We remain optimistic that students will be able to study on the Mainland soon and will update applicants with the latest information as we receive it.
- • 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 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.
Upload a scan of your passport to your online CET 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.
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 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 online account.
Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.
Have a question? Get in touch!
Annie Belleville
Senior Student Services Coordinator
202.846.7648
[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.