Chinese Study Abroad
The semester study abroad program at Xi'an International Studies University (XISU) in China is open to undergraduates from all colleges and all majors. Prior knowledge of Chinese is not required but intensive study of the language is a mandatory part of the program.
Elective courses in culture, politics, economics, history, literature, art, etc., taught in English for beginning or intermediate students, vary by semester.
Contact: Dr. Timothy Pogacar
English Homepage of XISU: http://www.xisu.net.cn/english.htm
A SUMMER PROGRAM IS PLANNED FOR 2009
Program Outline
Study for a language major is not the principal goal of the program. However, a solid foundation in the language is key to reaching the objectives. Meeting and communicating with people, even if simple, is the goal of beginning language and culture study. Students with prior Chinese language experience will place into more advanced classes. Regular preapproved BGSU credit is granted for the core courses taken at the XISU campus.
The administration of the program at BGSU lies jointly in the hands of the Department of GREAL, the Xi'an Exchange Coordinator and the International Programs Office, in consultation with the Asian Studies Program.
Admission Requirements
The BGSU Xi'an Program is open to undergraduates from all colleges and all major areas of study at BGSU.
It is recommended that student participants have prior academic course work in the Chinese language and/or culture. Students must
· be in good academic standing (2.5 GPA or above)
· have at least sophomore standing
· have good recommendations from at least three academic instructors as to their abilities in participating in such an experience
The Academic Curriculum
The program offers a balanced curriculum of especially designed courses in Chinese language, arts, and culture, as well as offerings in history, music, political science and current events, and geography. The program of core courses (see below) will be offered on a guaranteed basis. The credit for these courses is preapproved. Regular additional conversation sessions will be scheduled with Chinese students who are studying English as a foreign language.
The Faculty at XISU
The program faculty consists of experienced teachers from the Xi'an Foreign Languages University or from other universities in the Xi'an area. Most of the language teachers have had study/teaching experience in the US or another English speaking. Non-language courses may also be taught by a combination of an expert in the respective field and a language teacher functioning as lecturer/interpreter.
Guidance and Supervision
The program is supervised by a BGSU Program Director, who will come from among the BGSU exchange faculty serving as guest teachers at XISU. He/she will cooperate closely with the Academic Director and Advisor for Foreign Students at XISU. His/her teaching load will be reduced according to the involvement with the guidance and supervision of the BGSU exchange students.
Transportation to and from Xi'an
The students will pay for their own trans-Pacific transportation up to their final destination at Xi'an Airport. XISU will provide transportation to and from the airport at no extra cost to the BGSU students.
Program Costs
The total cost of the program including Transpacific transportation, tuition, housing, group travel, special events and entertainment will be kept at a minimum by utilizing the existing resources. That makes the program very competitive with any full-year overseas study program sponsored by an accredited US institution of higher education and leading to regular US university credit.
Currently the overall program costs for Ohio residents is approximately $ 5,800. This includes BGSU tuition.
