“My six weeks in China were the best six consecutive weeks of my life. I know that my experience is unlike any other I will ever have, and what I learned there will carry with me for the rest of my life.” – D.A. (China Institute ’10; Regis HS ’10; Cornell ’14)

“In China I had the most amazing six weeks of my life…I came back from China not only more experienced and exposed to Mandarin and to Chinese culture but also a better, more thankful and humble student, sister, daughter and independent person” – C.P. (China Institute ’10; BCA ’10; Boston U ’14)

“My involvement with China Institute has surpassed just one summer experience, it has positively influenced my academic studies and my relationship with the Mandarin language. China Institute exceeded my expectations, pushing my comprehension and understanding of Mandarin to the limit.

“In only six weeks I had accomplished so much: I built a lasting relationship with my host family, I became skilled in the Mandarin language and I explored Beijing, taking in the city’s beautiful temples, parks and markets. That fall, I skipped two full academic years of Chinese, becoming an active participant in the most advanced Chinese class in my school.

“I continued my relationship with China Institute by interning throughout the winter and spring, assisting with the upcoming Summer Study in China program. China Institute has helped me achieve what I never thought was possible in terms of language and academic skills. I am forever grateful for such an amazing opportunity!” – S.T. (China Institute ’09; Columbia Prep ’10; WUSL ’14)

“The China Institute’s Summer Study Abroad program is in a league of its own. I researched a number of study abroad programs, and found the China Institute’s program to be unparalleled in its design. After experiencing the program, I now also know it is unparalleled – in every way. The program has three special features that set it apart from other programs.

“First, this program has a home-stay component. Living with a local family enabled me to learn more Chinese than I had originally expected. Practicing the language at home with your host family allows you to learn more natural speech patterns and exposes you to a more expansive vocabulary. I also developed a very close relationship with my host family, and was able to learn much about life in China by hearing their life stories.

“The second compelling feature of the program is the city itself. Beijing is a vibrant, international city, and provides a rich learning environment. My daily routine began with a bus ride to the west gate of the Temple of Heaven, which is located a few blocks away from the school. Every day, I stepped off the bus into a sea of commuters. I saw the temple gates to my right and the school neighborhood to my left. Walking to school, I passed the neighborhood shops and usually stopped to get two Jian Bing for breakfast. From the time I left my door to the time I started class, I spoke to at least two local residents in Chinese.

“Finally, the program is superior because of the students it attracts. The program’s application and selection process is rigorous. As a result, it attracts some of the country’s best and brightest students. My classmates were highly motivated and took their studies very seriously. I also made several close friends through the program that I still stay in touch with today.” - J.H. (CI ’08; BHSS ’09; USC ’13)

“I jumped ahead of the highest level of Chinese class at school meaning that I got more than two years of worth of my school’s Chinese. I want you to know how much it means for me to have participated; I will carry this with me for the rest of my life.” – J.P. (China Institute ’08; HHSWH ’10; U Conn ’14)

“My experience in Beijing was unforgettable. Not only did my language skills reach a level of fluency, but I made lasting connections with people that still stand today and gained valuable insight into a world other than my own. The experience of living abroad certainly helped shape who I am today.” – B.S.(China Institute ’07; GRHS ’09; Georgetown ’13)

“The quality of Chinese classes with China Institute is unlike anything I had been used to before living in China. The amount of time given to learning Chinese in the classroom is phenomenal, and the classes are as efficient and effective as possible.

“Living with a host family is the key experience offered by China Institute. Wherever your Chinese level is at the outset, living with a Chinese family forces you constantly to express yourself in Chinese. I came to see that the greatest value of Chinese was that it was the only means for me to understand this family taking care of me. The gift of China Institute is giving the students the chance to understand that Chinese is more than a class subject–it is a beautiful means for creating a genuine bridge of understanding, and each textbook lesson is another small stone toward that end.

“The families are so excited to host us! My host father would read the newspaper headlines with me every morning over breakfast, and I watched Chinese drama on TV with my host mother. I was so happy with my experiences from that summer that I later returned to Beijing to participate in School Year Abroad and was even able to live with the same host family.” – A.M. (China Institute ’06; Sidwell Friends ’09; Amherst ’13)

“When I came to Beijing in 2006, I was unsure about many things. How was I going to be able to adapt to this new environment? How much stress would I be under from both school and from being immersed in a foreign language? Would I have problems living with my host family? The staff at China Institute answered all of these questions and made us feel safe in this new environment. The staff members at China Institute let us know that we could always talk to them if we were having problems in school, at home, or amongst our peers. The staff members really made adjusting to life in Beijing a lot easier.

“After studying at University of Vermont, University of Michigan, as well as through private tutoring with a Middlebury Professor, I can say that the quality and intensity of the China Institute program is something that is unparalleled elsewhere. Even when compared to the five-day-a-week college course that I am currently attending at Michigan, the China institute program is superior. The sheer amount of material that was crammed into that 6-week program is astonishing.

“Since the program in 2006, I have stayed in touch with my host family, have had my host brother over to my home for Thanksgiving dinner, as well as stayed with my host family again in the summer of 2009. The China Institute program, through the host family program, and activities involving the host family, helped me forge a strong and long-lasting relationship with my host family.” – S.B. (China Institute ’06; CVUHS ’06; UMich ’10)

“Studying with the China Institute Summer Study program was one of the best summers I have ever had. That summer, my Chinese improved astronomically. The Summer Study program also gave me the confidence to take the Chinese SAT II. It was largely thanks to the China Institute that I scored so well.” – D.K. (China Institute ’06; BHEC ’07; Bryn Mawr ’11)

Latest Entry:

Paul & Friends
Posted by: Paul Craddock
Posted in: Summer Study 2010 on: August 12th, 2010

This photo I uploaded is at the Confucius Temple （孔庙）. We went about 3 weeks ago but since I’ve had trouble uploading photos I could not do it until now. Today was our last day of formal Chinese instruction. My classmates and I finished a 10 chapter book in 5 weeks, whereas a normal Chinese class would spend around a year on one book.

Last night I went with Kim to a local grocery store where she received a manicure from a woman in a shabby cubicle. It was actually really nice … to watch, but even more to have a good conversation with an engaging person. I feel like I’ve realized the same thing so many times, but every time I rediscover it, it presents itself in a different way. We were briefly talking about how everyone is different (of course) but how there is no format or mold for what is “normal” or should be defined as permissible in society. Being judged is something that hurts you, and when you do it, it hurts others. Everyone brings something different and special to every situation. We inevitably judge others … it just happens. But after that judgment, accepting that person is so beautiful.

I can’t believe we only have a few days left in Beijing. Shanghai here we come!!

For the complete blog, please click HERE.

Newspaper Articles

Migrant ‘Villages’ Within a City Ignite Debate
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/world/asia/04beijing.html

China Acts to Slow Rise in Food Prices
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/world/asia/18china.html?_r=1&hp

Baidu Struggled in China, Too
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/baidu-struggled-in-china-too/?scp=3&sq=china&st=cse

Charting China’s Energy Explosion
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/charting-chinas-energy-explosion/?scp=8&sq=china&st=cse

China Surges Past India as Top Home of Foreign Students
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/15/us/15international.html?scp=9&sq=china&st=cse

Putting the Chinese in “Made in China”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/15/arts/15iht-design15.html?scp=11&sq=china&st=cse

The Rise of the Tao
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/magazine/07religion-t.html?scp=23&sq=china&st=cse

China’s Censors Misfire in Abuse-of-Power Case
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/world/asia/18li.html?_r=1

China’s Dilemma: Social Change and Political Reform
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66773/george-j-gilboy-and-eric-heginbotham/chinas-dilemma?page=show

Experts: Demand in China fuels tiger poaching
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/22/AR2010112204672.html

Videos

China’s New Wave: Music Festivals
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/10/23/world/asia/1248069229316/chinas-new-wave-music-festivals.html

China’s Endangered Species
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2007/12/03/world/1194817095151/china-s-endangered-species.html?scp=2&sq=china&st=cse

Chinese Animation
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/world/asia-pacific/1194811622211/index.html#1248069229412

Evictions in Beijing
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/05/26/world/asia/1247467412378/evictions-in-beijing.html

China’s Underground Hip-Hop Movement
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/01/23/arts/1231545688617/china-s-underground-hip-hop-movement.html?scp=9&sq=chinese&st=cse

Christianity in China
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/opinion/nicholas-d-kristof/1194811622305/index.html#1194834594529

Factory of the World
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/opinion/nicholas-d-kristof/1194811622305/index.html#1194834594529

Protest 101
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2008/08/16/opinion/1194817477599/protest-101.html

A Boomtown Revisited
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/opinion/nicholas-d-kristof/1194811622305/index.html#1247468555946

The Olympics’ First Losers
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2007/05/25/opinion/1194817106025/the-olympics-first-losers.html

China’s Blockbuster Gamble
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/world/asia-pacific/1194811622211/index.html#1247468007561

SUMMER INTERNSHIP IN BEIJING

China Institute’s Summer Study in China Program is seeking one or more student interns for its 2011 program from 7/7/2011 to 8/6/2010 in Beijing.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years old
• Preferrably an alumnus/alumna of China Institute’s Summer Study in China program since 2005
• Preferrably a graduate or college student
• Must speak and understand Chinese proficiently enough to work and live independently in Beijing
• Must be a mature, responsible and motivated team player

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Provide assistance to all the program staff in program-related administration
• Provide assistance to all the teachers in program-related teaching
• Act as a mentor and role model for the students
• Report to the Resident Director

Specific Duties:

• Assist the Resident Director and assistant Resident Director in supervising the students on campus, off-campus and during both air and ground travels
• Support and mentor the students in developing cross-cultural and life skills in Beijing, including how to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings, how to stay physically healthy and mentally positive in the new health and cross-cultural environment, how to communicate with their host family and host sibling, how to use Skype and a Chinese-based cell phone, how to refill their phone card, how to access the Internet, how to take the subway, bus or taxi, and how to post their weekly blog at http://www.ilearn.china360online.org
• Assist the Resident Director and assistant Resident Director in program-related administrative tasks, including taking attendance of the students, alerting everyone of the class beginning and ending time, maintaining the program’s supply inventory, purchasing program supplies in the neighborhood shops, taking photos and videos, posting them on China Institute’s website, and making slides with them for the graduation/appreciation banquet
• Lead the students in organizing their belongings, cleaning the classrooms and campus after their use, maintaining the classrooms in a safe, healthy, orderly and energy-efficient condition at all times, and organizing and presenting their graduation  or farewell performance
• Assist the teachers in preparing teaching materials and giving classroom instructions
• Provide daily report and update to the Resident Director of all student and program related needs and progress

Reimbursement:

• Round-trip airfare between New York and Beijing
• Lodging, program-related meals, and meal stipends
• Program-related ground transportation
• Program-related excursion admissions
• Program-related materials

FALL/SPRING INTERNSHIP IN NYC

China Institute’s Summer Study in China Program is seeking a mature, responsible and self-motivated student intern in the fall 2010 and spring 2011 in New York.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least a high school student
• Preferrably an alumna/alumnus of China Institute’s Summer Study in China program
• Must be a responsible and motivated team player

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Provide assistance to the program staff in program-related administration
• Report to the Program Director

Specific Duties:

• Assist the program staff in preparing and uploading program materials online
• Assist the technology specialist in updating program-related websites
• Give presentation to the prospective students at the open houses and the orientation
• Assist the program staff in processing applications, acceptances, visas and insurances etc.
• Assist the program staff in finalizing the program preparation

Reimbursement and Others:

• a reimbursement for travel and/or meals between $5-$20 per day depending on the work hours
• visiting the China Institute gallery and participating in China Institute classes, workshops or lectures for free or at a discount

China Institute is an equal opportunity employer.

Please send inquiries or cover letter and CV to vchen@chinainstitute.org or call 212 744 8181 x 145

All materials listed below are due on or before April 1, 2012. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis (applying ASAP is highly recommended for prospective students). All qualified applicants will be interviewed in a timely fashion, either in-person or by phone. Students from all geographic locations are encouraged to apply.

Note: late applications will be reviewed only on a space-available basis.

If you have any questions, please contact Christian Hudak by phone at (212) 744-8181 ext. 145 or e-mail at chudak@chinainstitute.org.

• Application
• $50 Application Fee: please write a check payable to “China Institute – Summer Study in China” and mailed to: Summer Study in China, China Institute, 125 E 65th Street, New York, NY 10065 OR pay via credit card.
• Language Teacher Recommendation Form (Please forward this link to your Chinese language teacher)
• General Teacher Recommendation Form (Please forward this link to your teacher of any subject)
• Transcript Release Form (Please submit this form to your school for your transcript)

Summer Study in China 2012 Open House

Date: February 11, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: 125 E. 65th Street, New York, NY 10065

We welcome prospective applicants and their families to join SSC administrators and alumni for an evening of refreshments and casual conversation. Come prepared with lots of questions, as program staff will be available to answer any queries you might have relating to our Beijing and Shanghai offerings.

Please contact Christian Hudak at chudak@chinainstitute.org or by phone at 212-744-8181 ext. 145 by 5:00 PM, February 10 to RSVP, if possible.