Programs
In developing its programs in China, the Alliance for Global Education is committed to providing reliable and academically-sound university level experiences that will foster an understanding of Chinese culture and language as well as providing curricular options that will be responsive to the needs of North American undergraduates and their home institutions. To this end, the three institutions chosen to initiate the Alliance's programs in China are the Beijing Language and Culture University, the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and Fudan University in Shanghai. These three universities were selected for their international reputations for academic excellence, the availability of appropriate on-site resources, and sincere interest in working collaboratively with the Alliance toward the goal of providing exceptional educational experiences for our students.
Students enrolled in the Alliance for Global Education's programs in Beijing and Shanghai will be required to study Chinese language as a significant part of their course load. Our local staff in each city will help to arrange conversation partners and social opportunities in which students can practice and perfect their daily classroom lessons. In addition, our in-country orientation and cultural excursions and activities will provide opportunities to use Chinese language in practical settings while students advance along the path to discovering the historical and contemporary influences that impact China, its culture and its people.
In addition to language study, each program offers courses in Chinese culture and society such as art, economics, philosophy, business, geography, theatre, art history and dance. Most students enrolled through the Alliance for Global Education's programs will study in classes with other international students. Students with advanced Chinese language proficiency, however, may opt to enroll in regularly-taught university courses with Chinese students. All students will be placed in language courses according to their proficiency level in Chinese as determined by the nationally-standardized Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) administered after their arrival on the host campus.
Finally, all program students will be expected to participate in a mandatory one-week orientation in before classes begin. This will be a prime opportunity to learn about China, its unique traditions, and its approach to higher education. Our staff in China will cover important safety information as well as offering guidance regarding academic policies and procedures. Throughout the semester, students are invited to take part in a full schedule of excursions, events and lectures -- all designed to enhance their understanding of China and the historical and modern influences that impact its culture and people.
