Why Gap at CET Beijing?
Perhaps you’re interested in a China-related career, or maybe you’re just looking for an immersive challenge with a critical language. Either way, Gap at CET Beijing sets you up with college credits, impressive language gains, and the insight to give your college career a running start.
program highlights
- Intensive Chinese language studies with some of the best instructors in the field
- One-on-one sessions that target individual language learning needs
- Immersion through the full-time language pledge and local roommate program
- Special focus on supporting the gap student experience
- Weekend excursion outside of Beijing with the group and on-site staff
TAKEAWAYS
- International and intercultural experience to benefit college essays
- College credits in Chinese language
- Experiences to inform and shape college and career-related decision making
- Improved language skills and confidence
- Access to CET China's internship and job network
- Established study habits and structure for continued language learning success
Why go with Gap at CET?
In our 35+ years within international education, we’ve developed a keen understanding of the student experience abroad and a strong reputation for thoughtful, immersive, and supportive programming.
Academics
Program
Snapshot
- Recommended Credits: 17/semester; 9/summer; 5/Janterm
- 20 hours/week of Chinese learning
- One-on-one sessions
- Full-time language pledge
- Seminar that tackles gap-related topics (Fall/Spring only)
- Out-of-class learning & assignments
- Host University: Capital Normal University
Intensive Chinese Language Learning
You take intensive Chinese language classes with some of the best teachers in the field, alongside highly motivated gap students and college undergraduates at the same level. With regular one-on-one sessions, a full-time language pledge, and in-country immersion, this program will push your skills to the next level. And you don’t just study Chinese, you learn how to study Chinese—so you start college with the knowledge, experience, and study habits to set you apart from your peers.
A Seminar for the Gap Experience*
Taking on a gap term is more than just learning a new language or traveling to another country—it’s an intentional pause in your academic path for personal reflection and exploration. Your intensive language curriculum keeps you busy, but this gap-focused seminar creates a space for facilitated reflection and discussion, as well as activities that help you explore and build skills for the future.
*This course is not offered during summer or Janterm
Practice Makes Perfect
Coursework & Syllabi
Fall or Spring Semester
You combine a not-for-credit gap student seminar and 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
You and other Gap at CET students from all over the world meet to reflect and explore topics and issues unique to gap students. This not-for-credit course is taught in English and conducted virtually once a week.
SUMMER term
You are placed into the appropriate level of Chinese language for a total of 9 recommended credits.
You are placed into one of these 9-credit courses:
JANterm
You are placed into the appropriate level of Chinese language for a total of 5 recommended credits.
You are placed into one of these 5-credit courses:
"Immersion is the way to go if you want your language level to improve immensely and CET exudes that idea in more ways than one. The program and staff are excited to be here teaching Chinese and there are countless activities, excursions, and outings available through the program itself. I loved my time this spring so much that I'm doing their summer program, too."
University of Chicago | Gap Spring & Summer 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, 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 Capital Normal University’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
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? Which apps help you hail a cab to dinner or order waimai (food delivery)? Sharing a room with a local roommate gives you instant insider’s access to the city, culture, and language. More importantly, it gives you someone to share all those things 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 a home-cooked meal? Have a night in with your roommate and trade cooking tips as you prepare dinner together in the dorm’s shared kitchen.
On-site Staff
Zhu Li
Director of China Programs
Omega Tennant
Resident Director
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, Tian'anmen Square, Peking Duck, northern Chinese accent, major transport hub
People flock to a place like Beijing because it’s where the action is. You have all the perks of living in a major city—diverse people, great public transportation, cuisine from all over the world, a busy calendar of events for all interests—while still enjoying everything that makes Beijing unique. Spend a semester soaking up the city’s longstanding culture and history, mix of ancient and modern architectures, and even six UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Activities & Excursions
Around Beijing
See a New City
Enjoy worry-free travel with CET-hosted trips that take you out of Beijing. Explore a new city with your classmates and roommates—Xi’an to visit the terracotta warriors, Nanjing to walk on the ancient city wall, Hangzhou to hike around beautiful West Lake. In the summer, you might hike the Taihang mountains or explore the Yungang caves of Shanxi Province. Every term is different. And half the fun is getting there. Playing cards on an overnight train ride is a great way to make new friends.
"The faculty and staff are truly, unbelievably, unsparingly generous with their time and assistance. Never have I met instructors this interested in student success and this willing to give up their time in order to foster this success."
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill | Spring Student
Program Costs
Fall/Spring
$12,990
|
Janterm
$4,590
|
Summer
$7,190
Fall/Spring: $12,990
Janterm: $4,590
Summer: $7,190
CET aims to make program fees as inclusive as possible to minimize out-of-pocket 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 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!
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.
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses by Term
- Round-trip airfare: $1,250 – $1,500
- Meals: $1,250
- Personal Expenses: $1,400
- Housing Deposit: $50
- Local cell phone plan/SIM card: $200
- University of Minnesota Transcript (optional): $425
- Round-trip airfare: $1,500 – $1,800
- Meals: $850
- Personal Expenses: $900
- Housing Deposit: $50
- Local cell phone plan/SIM card: $100
- University of Minnesota Transcript (optional): $425
- Round-trip airfare: $1,250 – $1,500
- Meals: $350
- Personal Expenses: $450
- Housing Deposit: $50
- Local cell phone plan/SIM card: $25
- University of Minnesota Transcript (optional): $425
To be eligible for a Gap at CET program, you:
- Must be 18 or order at the time of program participation
- Should have a high school diploma but are not yet enrolled at a college or university degree program
- Are recommended to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, so students with lower GPAs are still encouraged to apply.
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 teachers.
Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.
A phone interview with a CET staff member is a required step of the application process. You will be contacted soon after the completion of your other application materials.
Summer deadline:
March 1st
Fall deadline:
May 1
Janterm deadline:
October 1
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]