China: Nanjing Semester

Nanjing University in Nanjing

Nanjing University, one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in China, is a key comprehensive national university.  The University was founded in 1902 as Sanjiang Normal School. Today Nanjing University is one of the premier institutions of higher learning in the country whose students are among China's best and brightest.  This CCIS program is housed on the beautiful tree-lined Gulou campus the university in the heart of the city. The university is convenient to shopping, transportation, and all the city has to offer.

Nanjing University has 21 schools (Humanities, Law, International Business, Foreign Studies, Natural Sciences, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Technology, Geoscience, Life Sciences, and Medicine), 78 undergraduate programs, and more than 213 Master's programs, 9 professional programs, 147 Ph.D. programs, and 23 post-doctoral research stations.  Nanjing University faculty and scientists are nationally and internationally renowned. Of the University's 2,000 plus faculty members, more than 1,300 are professors and associate professors and 27 are Members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. The university library contains over 4.6 million volumes.

Nanjing University (“Nanda”) alumni are all over the world.  Nanda has a student body of 43,000, of which over 12,000 are undergraduate students, over 11,000 are graduate students, and over 300 are international students.  Since 1979, Nanjing University has received over 18,000 international students and visiting scholars from more than 70 countries or regions.  Recently, about over 1,000 international students are enrolled annually.

Course Offerings

The program at Nanjing University offers students a chance to explore China and take language and culture courses at an introductory level. All students take courses in Chinese language and Culture and choose from three other courses on China which are taught in English by bilingual Nanjing University faculty members. Students may take Beginning Mandarin or, after appropriate placement testing, intermediate or advanced level Chinese language courses. Lecture courses include: Geography of China, Survey of China's History, Survey of Chinese Literature, China’s Political System, and Chinese Culture and Society. The program includes an experiential co-curriculum designed to facilitate language acquisition and expand knowledge of Chinese culture through faculty-led field trips to important historical sites as well as to temples, museums, schools, gardens, and a mosque. A one-week field trip to the capital, Beijing, to visit its many historical sites is featured every semester. As part of the orientation program, students match up with Orientation Hosts, English-speaking Nanda students who act as "cultural interpreters" for American students while they improve their English skills. Through this exchange, students are introduced to Nanda, student life there, and activities both on and off campus.

 

Student Life

As part of the Orientation, students are introduced to Shanghai University students who speak English and are eager to meet Americans.  They act as “cultural interpreters” to help American students learn about Chinese culture, university and student life in China, and to join students in activities if mutually desired.  A Weekend Homestay Option enables students to go home with a Shanghai family and spend one night during the weekend.  This is a great way to learn intimately more about Chinese culture and to make friends and acquaintances in China.

Housing is in foreign student dormitories on campus.  On the Yanchang Campus, students have private dorm rooms with private baths in a building adjoining the classroom building.  On the New Campus, students share a dorm suite, usually with three private dorm rooms and a shared bathroom and living area.  The dorm rooms on both campuses are each equipped with an air conditioner, heater, television, and desk and lamp for studying.  Students eat meals in on campus student cafeterias and off campus at nearby cafes.  SU clubs, activities, and sports are open to all students and they are encouraged to join.

Alumni Feedback

“I have benefited from this study abroad experience academically and personally.  I have improved my Mandarin language skills and have a better understanding of the business and new developments in contemporary China.  In terms of personal gain, since this is my first time studying abroad and living in a dormitory, I felt especially excited.  It was a good chance for me to expand my horizon and learned to get along with other people.”
- Betty Leung Ting Cheng, Baruch College/CUNY

“This was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.  I learned a whole new culture first hand, which enabled me to see Chinese people in a different light.  Shanghai is a lovely city and one of the safest.  One just needs to be vigilant as always”
- Evancia Imbert, Medgar Evers College/CUNY

“I had an amazing time on this program and now see myself there again and perhaps long term.  The program overall was good.”
- Kira Sigal, Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY

“I learned that it is important to travel: only then will one get first hand knowledge of people and their culture.  It was very worthwhile.  I was studying, but I was also exploring.  I would definitely recommend the program to other students because it will broaden their horizons, but students must acquaint themselves with the language before travel.”
- Natlee Hall, Medgar Evers College/CUNY

“I had an amazing time on this program and know that it was definitely worthwhile.  Having a chance to explore a new and beautiful city, while learning about the nation, was a wonderful experience that I would recommend whole-heartedly to others who want to see new things and start with an open-mind.  I know that I gained more than I realize – I am more appreciative of Chinese culture and learned that there is much more than a one-sided American view of things.”
- Jeanne Hwang, Cornell University

"I definitely gained lifelong friends. I liked having a small group because it was easier to get to know people better. I felt like I improved in my Chinese proficiency big time. It was worthwhile to go to China because my major is Chinese culture’s language and I got to experience all of this while I was there."
- Lindsey George, Washington College

"What I gained from this experience is more than I can write down. However, I can say that I have seen how studying in China has opened my eyes to something greater than myself. Being able to bridge differences through spending time with Chinese nationals and talking. I learned more doing this than anything else."
- Cheo Rochelle, University of Maryland

"I loved China; my over-all feelings about my experience are positive. My view of the world and my country has expanded enormously."
- Natalie Meyer, University of Idaho

"The best thing about CCIS is that it provides an inexpensive way to go to China and receive credit while doing so. Being in China is awesome; that is what is benefiting me."
- Peter Litman, Richard Stockton College

"The experience was very enriching, definitely worthwhile. I not only learned through school, but more through the students I taught, the friends I made and the fellow program members. One thing is for sure: The people in the program make the trip. We had a variety of students, different ethnicities, likes, dislikes, hobbies, specializations, and religions. Wonderful, I was never bored. It was like being in a U.N. of students. I would, and will, recommend this program, and the whole study abroad experience."
- Mary Jane Bensick, College of Staten Island/CUNY

"The China study abroad program was one of the most worthwhile experiences of my life. I got to see life and the world from an entirely different perspective. Studying the language was a lot of fun, and through exploring China I saw things I never thought I'd see."
- Patricia Quan, Baruch College/CUNY

 

Duration

Fall: August 31-December 20, 2008
Spring: February 8-May 31, 2009

Application Deadline(s)

Fall: May 15
Spring: Nov 30

Eligibility Requirements

• 2.5 GPA or higher
• Official transcripts
• 2 letters of recommendation for Semester
• Statement of purpose
• Students must be 18 years

Costs

Semester:
Fall 2008 $6,175
Fall 2009 $6,175
Plus enrolling institution administrative fee, if applicable

Second Continuous Semester:
Fall 2008 $5,475
Fall 2009 $5,475

Costs Included

Tuition, Housing (double room), pre-departure and on-site orientations, field trips, administrative fees, Nanjing University student ID card, sickness & accident insurance.

Costs Not Included

Airfare ($1000-$1400), meals ($550-$800), books ($85), personal costs ($800), International Student ID ($22), dorm security damage fee (100 Chinese Yuan), weekend homestay ($20), and school of record fee-Non CUNY/CCIS if applicable.

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.

Related Links

• Wikipedia Nanjing, China
• Wikipedia Nanjing University

 

Submit Application Materials To:

Russell Davis

College of Staten Island/CUNY
Center for International Service
Building 2A, Room 206
2800 Victory Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10314
718-982-2100
718-982-2108 (Fax)
StudyAB@mail.csi.cuny.edu
www.csi.cuny.edu/international

How do I apply?

Start the CCIS Study Abroad application process by downloading and printing the following forms. These PDF documents are viewed using Adobe's Acrobat Reader plug-in, which is available free. If you don't have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, click here.

CCIS APPLICATION PACKAGE AND INSTRUCTIONS

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.