Wang CenterStudent Opportunities

Study Abroad in Chengdu, China

Nestled in a rich agricultural basin near the foothills of Tibet, Sichuan Province is China’s most populous. Within the mixture of modern cities and rural villages is Chengdu, the provincial capital – home to Western China’s best universities and hospitals, and a major site for foreign and domestic investment, including global industry leaders like Microsoft, Boeing and Intel.

You’ll study at Sichuan University, one of China’s most prestigious universities. The campus is large and exciting, attracting students from all over China and the world. The university district outside the campus is fun and convenient, offering Internet cafes, restaurants, banking and shopping.

Focus

Chinese Language & Culture; International Business; Global Studies; Environmental Studies; Economics; Anthropology

Classes are taught at Sichuan University (SCU). All courses, excluding language courses, are taught in English from Sichuan University professors or by the PLU professor who is the Site Director during the Fall semester. To provide an introduction to Chinese language, culture and society, all students are required to take a set of three core classes equaling 10-14 credits. Students then choose from a variety of elective courses to complete a total of up to
17 semester credit hours.

Fall Required Core

(10-14 credits)

Chinese Language (4-8 credits)
Contemporary Chinese Culture and Society (4)
Western China: The Rural and Minority Experience (2)

Fall Electives

(up to 7 credits)

EDUC 385: ComparativeEducation (4)
PLU Associate Professor, VidyaThirumurthy

20th Century History of China (3)
SCU Professor Zhou Yi

Chinese Politics: Historical Ideas to Contemporary Realities (3)
SCU Professor Zhou Yi

Sino-American Relations (3)
SCU professor Song Zhihui

Religion in Chinese Society - Daoism & Tradition (3)
SCU Professor Zhang Chongfu

Environmental Issues in China (3)
SCU Professor Yang Jiong & Zhou Jin

International Merchandise Trade Practices and Procedures (3)
SCU Professor Weng Jia

Public Economics (3)
SCU Professor Zhao Zhi

The Arts of China (3)
Pang Lirong

Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy (1)
SCU Staff

Introduction to Taiji (1)
SCU Staff

Introduction to Kungfu (1)
SCU Staff

Ping Pong (1)
SCU Staff

Other Possible courses:

• China's Classical Literature and the Identity of Chinese Intellectuals
• Major Historical Events of China Before the Yuan Dynasty

Pacific Lutheran University awards all credits earned in this program. Semester-long study away programs fulfill PLU's Cross Cultural Diversity requirement.

Fall Study Tours

Orientation Study Tour - Beijing to Xi'an, ending in Chengdu

Tibetan Region - spend a week in Tibet (alternative location will be used if necessary)

Emeishan Buddhist Mountain - see the temples and the monkey preserve and the Leshan Great Buddha, the largest stone sculpture of Buddha in the world.

Village Experience - weekend study tours to local villages

Shanghai Exit Tour - on the way back to Beijing to catch the return flight, travel to Shanghai to experience yet another city in China.

Residence Hall

You will stay in an international student residence hall, where you will meet students from around the world. You will have a double bedroom with your own bathroom and shower. You are provided with a monthly stipend for food, which gives you the freedom to eat at the nearby cafeteria, or to explore the many surrounding restaurants.

Fall Semester

Mid-August to mid December

Full Year

Full Year students have several options; they can select any combination of the following:

Fall Semester

Mid-August - mid-December

OR

Mid-August - January*

Spring Semester

February - May

OR

February - early July*

*Full Year students can continue their Chinese language courses through the Sichuan University Academic Calendar at no additional charge. Courses taught in English end in December and May, following the International Student Academic Calendar.

Program Fee

The PLU comprehensive fee for Fall 2013 covers this academic experience (instruction and academic credit, housing and meal stipend, study tours, study abroad insurance, and visa fees). Financial aid applies.

Out-of-pocket expenses

Roundtrip air travel, personal excursions, and other miscellaneous expenses are not included in program cost.

Global Scholar Award

All PLU Gateway & Featured Programs are Global Scholar Award eligible. This need-based award can cover out-of-pocket expenses up to $2,500 on PLU Gateway and Featured semester programs.

For non-PLU students, please check with your home institution or sponsoring study abroad organization on program cost.

Learn More

Greg Youtz

Vidya Thirumurthy

Tanya Ulsted

Pre-requisites

Sophomore, junior, or senior standing. Students must have a minimum 2.7 or higher G.P.A. (3.0 preferred). Must be a student in good standing. No previous Chinese language study required. All courses other than Chinese language are taught in English.

Application Deadline

Completed application materials are due to the Wang Center by March 15, 2013 for Fall 2013 or Full Year 2013-2014 programs. A $50 non-refundable deposit is due with the application. A $250 non-refundable program payment to confirm participation is required within 10 days of acceptance.