New Location: Beijing, China

            Ever wanted to travel to China?  Beijing is the newest addition to the LVC study abroad program. Jill Russell, LVC’s study abroad advisor, answered a few questions about this new location.

            “LVC is always looking to expand our study abroad offerings to underrepresented areas of the world,” she says.  “After visiting three different cities – Hong Kong, Chengdu, and Beijing – we decided that the Beijing program located at Capital Normal University was the best for LVC.”

            Students who choose to study abroad in China will be enrolled at Capital Normal University and live on campus in apartment style dorms.  Students take three to four classes, in addition to learning Mandarin!

            “Our students will enroll in a 3 credit Mandarin course, 9 – 12 credits of culture courses taught in English and have the opportunity to participate in a 3 credit internship in an English-speaking placement site.”

            I think that this is an amazing opportunity for students.  China is a country that is growing rapidly, and becoming more of a world superpower, contending with countries like the United States or the UK.  Since China is becoming more and more influential in the world, it is important that people learn about the culture and especially learn the language.

            As for actually living in China, Jill can also enlighten us, after traveling there in 2009.  “We visited three very different cities,” she says.  “English is spoken in Hong Kong so it was easy to navigate the city and the infusion of different cultures was most realized in the variety of foods offered at the restaurants.

            “Our last stop was Beijing, a well-manicured city, vast and clean.  I can best describe the city as having a “corporate” feel – more business oriented than Chengdu.  There is so much to see and do.  I had to pinch myself when we were actually standing on The Great Wall.”

            The program offers trips to see The Great Wall, as well as Tiananmen Square and Shanghai.

            There is one student who is going to be studying abroad in the fall of 2013.  “I am confident he will be successful both academically and socially – and he will certainly have a stellar experience to add to his resume upon his return,” states Jill.

When asked if the study abroad office is considering adding more countries to the program, she responded, “Yes, we are always investigating new study abroad program offerings.  Stay tuned for possible new locations in Latin America!”