China

	Quick Facts
	Language Mandarin Chinese and other dialects. Previous language study is not required.
	Host Family Placement In urban and suburban areas of Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenyang, Tianjin, Zhenzhou, and Shenzhen.
	School August to July.
	Trips Touring trips and entrance fees are included in program tuition for summer students.
	Pastimes Martial arts, table tennis, and visiting galleries, museums, and theaters.

Discover China and get an in-depth view of the amazing history, culture, and society of this ancient civilization as it enters the 21st century!

The heart of the Orient, China has been fascinating her neighbors with her magnificent architecture and undeniable charm. For centuries it was isolated, intriguing the rest of the world with her serene traditions and rich customs. Today, China is a center of economic growth and welcomes you to her doors.

The Yangtze River (Chiangjiang) and the Yellow River (Huanghe), known as the birthplace of ancient Chinese civilization, have been windows to China's engaging past. Historical artifacts fill more than 50 museums in Beijing alone. People of China take pride in their folk traditions, theatrical plays, and centuries-old art.

Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, is the epicenter of Chinese culture. Sharp contrast fills the city - strong monuments of China's Imperial past, meticulous gardens, and modern buildings reflecting the current economic boom. Located in the North, Beijing is home to 10 million people. Nowhere else can you get such a concentrated look into China's ancestral past and thriving future.

Academic Program

Start your year in China with a two-day post arrival orientation and intensive four-week Chinese language and culture course. During this orientation, you will attend classes at one of the local high schools and stay with a host family. You will enjoy tours to cultural and historical sites in the area.

After completing the language program, you will move on to your permanent host family. You will be placed in grade 10 or 11, depending on your school report and entrance exam scores for your local host school. A local transportation allowance of RMB 50 per month is included in the program tuition. Student will be responsible to pay for personal spending money, school uniforms, textbooks, lunches, and additional Chinese language tutoring costs. Students are also responsible for their medical expenses and insurance reimbursement claims.

During your one-week mid-year orientation and seminar you will stay at a local hotel or with a host family and enjoy a cultural and historical tour of the area. Your year will be capped off with a re-entry orientation prior to your return to the US.

Please note: Arrival travel may be to various destinations in China and students may not travel in a group. Please include a copy of your passport with your application.

13th Year Abroad
The traditional Academic Year program is also available as a 13th Year Abroad option. Learn more about other 13th Year Abroad Programs.

Summer Program

Discover China Beijing & Shanghai
Your adventure begins with an arrival orientation in Beijing, where you will get an introduction to China before attending a welcome party for you and your host family. You'll truly experience all that China has to offer by living with your host family as they welcome you into their home. While in Beijing, your mornings will be spent enjoying cultural classes and discovering the rich ancestry of the people of China. Participate in activities including language instruction, art, martial arts, and sports. Afternoons will be spent touring China's famed sites.

After three weeks in Beijing, you will then travel to the city of Shanghai for a week-long stay. While there, sites may include People's Square, the Shanghai Museum, and the Yu Yang Garden and Bazaar. You may have a broad view of Shanghai on the top of the Oriental Pearl Tower and have a tour to China's famous "Zhou Zhuang" with typical southern China river town architecture. Visit Shanghai Pudong New area's, Bingjiang Park, and enjoy the beautiful night view of the Huangpu River.

Discover China programs are subject to cancellation if a minimum of 12 YFU students for each program is not met. YFU students include American applicants as well as all other international YFU applicants.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Programs	Code	Departure	Return	Tuition
Year 13th Year Abroad	0879 0879	late July late July	Late June Late June	$8995 $8995
Summer Discover China - Beijing & Shanghai	1054	mid-July	mid-August	$5995

Scholarships

Check out this scholarship to China:

James Bradley Peace Foundation

A full list of scholarships and the scholarship application are available on our Scholarships page.

Online Resources

To learn more about China, we recommend:

E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, language dictionaries, and many more country resources
Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites
Embassy of China in Washington, DC web site
Beijing Official web site

"The friendships I formed... are worth more than all the money in the world, and my host father and I formed a bond that time will never break."
- Derek Garcia

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: Friday, August 24, 2007