While looking at applying to The Beijing Center were there a few questions left unanswered? I know there definitely were a few for myself when I was researching this program as an option for study abroad. Among a few others, one genre of questions that kept popping up for me were: what classes will I be able to take? What will the classes be like? And, what’s the scheduling like? I’m here to answer these for you as well as share my story in the process of course registration/course equivalencies.
Check Course Equivalencies and Course Offerings
Before finishing my application to the program, I made sure to check with my home university–Saint Louis University–to make sure that at least some of the classes offered by TBC would be accepted. I was lucky enough that TBC is an approved program at my university. Although it usually means a much smoother process all-round when a study abroad program has already been approved and is affiliated with your home university, it is not necessary. At least 2 of the students in the program this semester had to independently apply to TBC; one of them was able to get full credit for all the classes he’s taking while the other can only get credit for 2 out of 4 of her classes. This is simply at the discretion of your home university and something you may be able to petition to change.
After making sure my university would accept my classes, I looked on the TBC website under the “Academics” tab, to the “Courses” subtab. Here, you can see classes that TBC has offered in the past. TBC is very accommodating and will try their best to include classes you may need; it is always recommended to reach out to the head of student life to see what TBC can do for you (advisor@thebeijingcenter.org or academics@thebeijingcenter.org).
TBC Interest Survey and Course Registration
Now, after applying and completing my intent to enroll form, TBC sent us a “Semester Course Planning Survey”. This survey is used by TBC to understand your course interests and your background in taking Chinese language courses.
After TBC received our survey data, they decided on including 6 courses in the curriculum for our semester, sending an additional survey that acted as our course selection process. These 6 courses are: Engaging China: Yunnan Excursion, Introduction to Chinese Martial Arts, Modern Chinese History, Traditional Chinese Philosophy, Religions in China, and the Chinese Language course. Which level of Chinese language course you take is determined by an in-person placement test you take with one of the Chinese professors. It consists of a brief conversation, writing a few sentences, and reading a few sentences; it’s mostly based on your familiarity with the textbooks (currently: Integrated Chinese 3rd Edition).
What TBC Semester Is Like?
This semester, I have lots of free time to myself that I’ve used to travel and explore the city. I’m only taking 12 credit hours while abroad, and due to the classes I’m taking, I often have 4-day weekends that I can use to catch up on homework or take a high speed train half-way across the country! For example, myself and a few others in the program traveled to both Seoul and Tokyo during Spring Break, Nanjing during a long weekend, and Shanghai during Tomb Sweeping Break (see my blog on traveling in China for more details).
(Spring Break with TBC students at the DMZ in Seoul)
Regardless of my luck in scheduling, there are a lot of breaks incorporated into the TBC class schedule; including: two weeks for the excursion (though, this trip is about experiencing the culture and traveling, you will have classes while you are there), one week for spring break, half a week for the Chinese Tomb Sweeping Festival, finals break, and a few scattered Fridays off.
Tutors
In addition to your required Chinese classes, you will also have your own private language tutor. Generally, you will have at least one meeting a week for about an hour. The times, duration, and frequency of these meetings are up to your discretion and will be agreed upon in a tutor agreement form before your first session. In these sessions you can discuss anything from homework to pop-culture. What you use your time with is totally up to you; I usually either do my homework with them or review for any tests I have, though, we usually end up just chatting by the end of the meeting.
Before joining this program, I was aware of the tutor program, and it played a major role in my decision to join. Before you come to China, after the emails you receive from TBC Student Life about “Pre-departure Actions” (like the ones on scheduling I explained above), you will receive one that includes a tutor-matching survey. This helps TBC pair you with someone they think will be compatible with you, much like a roommate survey. Soon after this survey they will release not only your tutor’s contact information, but also the emails and names of the other students that will be joining you for the semester! Through this, I was able to add my tutor on WeChat to get to know her better before my arrival in China.
During your first week in China, TBC will take you on many settling-in activities, such as going to IKEA, setting up your SIM card, opening a bank account, and various meals to show you places near campus. Some of these activities may be led by a few of the tutors, while most of them are led by TBC interns.
I enjoy my meetings with my tutor, and I know some of the other students have gone out to dinner or lunch together in addition to their tutoring meetings. Your tutor will not only help you learn the language, but they also give you insight into what it’s like to be a Chinese student and opportunities to learn about Chinese pop-culture.
(Hang out with Chinese friends)
Internships
While external internships are not available, you can find work with TBC working as their own interns. I am currently working as an intern in the media department, writing blogs and helping run the Instagram. They are paid and offer fulfillment in sharing your experience in China. There is also potential in future years for TBC to work with the US Foreign Service Office in Beijing.
I hope this has clarified how course registration works, the nature of the schedule, and what to expect in your classes. All in all, I’ve enjoyed my classes thus far, especially Engaging China: Yunnan and Introduction to Martial Arts. Any issues I’ve run into I don’t hesitate to inform Student Life and they, very calmly and professionally, listen to my problems and offer support in how to solve my issues.
Summary:
By: Stephanie T., Spring 2024
(P.S. check out my other blogs on why you should come to China and traveling the area, if you haven’t already ;))
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