2008 Summer Advanced Chinese Program

 

Valparaiso University has just received a US Department of Education
Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad grant.
Therefore, the deadline for applications has been extended to March 24, 2008.

Valparaiso University (VU) invites US undergraduate and graduate students or K-12 teachers who have studied at least two years of college-level Chinese or its equivalent to participate in the 2008 VU Summer Advanced Chinese Program(SACP) in Hangzhou, China. Built on the success of the 2006 and 2007 programs, the 2008 VU SACP is designed to complete third-year Chinese through intense, personalized instruction and integration of language learning with immersion in local Chinese culture and society in a city known for rich tradition, natural beauty, and modern life. The 2008 SACP will help prepare participants for entry into competitive graduate programs or to pursue a career that requires language competency or to teach Chinese at K-12 schools.

Admission for the remaining seats is on a first-come, first-served basis, and therefore, interested applicants should apply immediately. Admitted participants are required to pay a non-refundable $150 deposit to hold their seat upon being admitted to the 2008 SACP.

To read about 2006 & 2007 Summer Immersion Programs, please click here.

 

Program Design and Goals
The 2008 VU Summer Advanced Chinese Program (SACP) consists of two phases:

  • Phase 1: May 27 through June 21, 2008 – This three-and-half-week phase is designed for participants who have completed at least two years of college Chinese or its equivalent but are not yet fully prepared for intensive third year Chinese offered at the 2008 SACP; or are Chinese heritage speakers or have lapsed in their Chinese language learning.
  • Phase 2: June 22 through August 15, 2008 – This 8-week phase is designed to complete intensive third-year Chinese, and includes ample opportunities to interact with local population and culture.

Applicants of the 2008 VU’s SACP can choose to participate in either or bothphases of the program depending on their language skills and needs.

 

Curriculum
 Phase 1 : Phase 1 will use Integrated Chinese, Level II (Lessons 13 through 20) as the basic text along with a significant number of supplemental instructional materials drawn from various sources. Weekly instruction includes 10 hours of grammar and intensive reading, 6 hours of listening and speaking, and 7 hours of group study (used primarily for group projects such as presentations). In addition, students will have daily 15-20 minute individual sessions with an instructor. Weekends will include language-driven, cultural-learning assignments.

Phase 2 : Phase 2 will use Step by Step Chinese, Intensive Chinese Book 1 & 2 as the basic texts along with instructional materials drawn from other sources for listening/speaking and extensive reading purposes. Weekly instruction includes 10 hours of grammar and intensive reading, 6 hours of listening and speaking, 4 hours of writing, and 2.5 hours of group study (primarily for group projects), and two 30-minute individual sessions with one of the instructors each week. In addition, students participate in a 1-2 week internship at a local institution (with at least 40 hours of on-site contact time), have home-stays with a Chinese host family, and benefit from a 4-day mid-session break for rest and/or travel at their leisure. Participants of Phase 2 may apply to receive up to eight graduate credits from VU (for an additional fee) upon successful completion of Phase 2 of the 2008 VU SACP.

 

Program Fees
Valparaiso University has received a US Department of Education Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad grant and therefore, the 2008 VU SACP will provide up to $1,250 for international travel assistance to each accepted participant in Phase 2 (or both Phases 1 & 2); reduce the Phase 2 Program Fee to $1,650 (from $2,450) or Phase 1 & 2 Combined Program Fee to $2,350 (from $3,150), respectively; and reimburse participants for the $130 Chinese visa fee. Fees listed below are based upon the news of receipt of the grant.

Item Amount
Explanation
Phase 1 Program Fee $1,050
Housing, instructional materials, program-sponsored activities and local travel ($150 deposit is part of fee).
Phase 2 Program Fee $1,650
Housing, instructional materials, program-sponsored activities such as home stays and local travel ($150 deposit is part of fee).
Phases 1 & 2 (combined) $2,350
Housing, instructional materials, program-sponsored activities such as home stays and local travel ($150 deposit is part of fee).
Optional graduate credits from VU after successful completion of Phase 2 (Optional)
$300 to $2,400
1 to 8 graduate credits from VU at $300 per credit (this amount includes a 30% tuition discount, as tuition for 8 graduate credits is normally $3,360).
International airfare* Cost over $1,250
Airfare for round trip between Chicago and Shanghai by the United Airlines is between $1,750 (leaving in May) and $1,850 (leaving in June) due to the August 2008 Beijing Olympics.
VU will reimburse participants attending Phase 2 or both Phases 1 & 2 up to $1,250 of the cost of their airfare.
Chinese entry visa fees* $130*
Students must obtain their own passport and visa. Chinese entry visa fee is $130 (as of January 2008). VU will reimburse participants for this fee.

 

What is NOT covered by the program fee?

  • Travel to and from US airports.
  • Medical insurance (all participants must demonstrate valid health insurance coverage prior to departure for the 2008 program).
  • Meals in China (other than group meals), which average $8 per day.
  • All other incidental or personal expenses.
  • Please note: The 2008 SACP offers a limited number of scholarships to students pursuing a master’s degree in VU’s MA in Chinese Studies program. Please contact Jamie Haney for more information.

 

Application Process

  1. In addition to submitting application materials, each prospective participant will be phone-interviewed by VU personnel to determine whether he/she qualifies for the 2008 SACP (in terms of language preparation) and, if so, which phase of study is appropriate. VU reserves the right to decide if an applicant is qualified to enter Phase 2 directly.
  2. Participants accepted into the program must also provide legible photocopies of their passport and valid medical insurance (for those who do not have US passports yet, please apply immediately).
  3. To request an application packet or inquire further, please contact Mrs. Jamie Haney, Coordinator of VU’s Master of Arts in Chinese Studies program, at 219-464-5313, 800-821-7685 or Jamie.Haney@valpo.edu.

 

Contact Information
To learn more about the Summer Advanced Chinese Program(SACP), contact Mrs. Jamie Haney, at Jamie.Haney@valpo.edu or 800-821-7685, or Professor Zhimin Lin, Director of VU’s Master of Arts in Chinese Studies Program, at Zhimin.Lin@valpo.edu, with questions.

For more information about Valparaiso University, please visit www.valpo.edu. Information about VU’s undergraduate and graduate programs in Chinese Studies can be found at www.valpo.edu/cjsp.

To learn more about our Chinese Studies Degree and Non-Degree Programs/Opportunities, visit the following websites:

  1. Master of Arts in Chinese Studies
  2. Master of Arts in Chinese Studies-Specialized track for K-12 Teachers
  3. JD (Law) / Master of Arts in Chinese Studies
  4. Confucius Institute