On May 7, 2021, Sophia University and The Beijing Center (TBC) reached an agreement to enable more Sophia student participation in The Beijing Center’s Virtual Internship Program.
This partnership promotes the mutual efforts of TBC and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Asia Pacific (AJCU-AP) to offer progressive virtual programs in support of quality online education and experiences.
As part of this agreement, effective May 1, 2021, qualified Sophia University students may apply to enroll in TBC’s Virtual Internship Program. For the duration of the agreement, TBC will offer one full scholarship to a qualified student to enroll in the program. Previously, TBC hosted two scholarship students from our partner, Sanata Dharma University, and continues to offer scholarship opportunities to our AJCU-AP partners.
While the global education and business environment continue to face uncertainty and adversity, many students still seek the right academic and professional opportunities. For this reason, TBC is creating a variety of educational opportunities with new and existing partners while simultaneously guiding students in developing their path to a bright future.
Traditionally, The Beijing Center offers Semester Study Abroad and Intern Abroadprograms for students interested in a studying or interning abroad in Beijing. However, in response to health safety and travel restrictions, TBC’s Virtual Internship Program provides the opportunity for students to enhance their studies while participating in a online internship with a Beijing-based organization. The virtual program accommodates the pandemic-induced remote work and study, while still incorporating aspects of an in-person internship experience, such as the Virtual Internship Showcase, where student interns present their experience to a live audience. This way, students can continue to learn about Chinese culture and economy, Mandarin, and take part in an internship from a distance until global travel resumes.
In their discussions, Cardinal Chow underscored the pivotal role of the Church in Hong Kong as a bridge. He emphasized that not only the Church in Hong Kong but every individual serves as a bridge connecting the world. In the current context of a divided global society, individuals often pursue their individual interests. To be a bridge means to lead people to cooperate for mutual benefit rather than work in isolation. A bridge gathers people, helps them discover common ground, and motivates collective efforts towards creating a better world.
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During his visit, Simon engaged in a conversation with Antonio Spadaro S.J., the former editor-in-chief of the Jesuits’ biweekly review, La Civiltà Cattolica, and the undersecretary for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education.
Simon also had a meeting with The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, a dicastery of the Roman Curia. In this meeting, Simon shared insights into the current situations in China, offering the organization a deeper understanding of Chinese society.
It was an honor and a privilege to be able to speak to so many and share these incredible moments with both old and new friends of TBC.
The past few weekends have been some of the most exciting of the entire semester, full of trips to the zoo, mountain hikes, ancient parks, and more! Our first trip out of many was a visit to the Beijing Zoo. I had mentioned earlier in the semester that I wanted to see some pandas, since I was in China after all, and our TBC friend Andy made it happen.
Spending a whole semester in Beijing, I knew I had to make the trip down south and check out Shanghai, and the city certainly lived up to the expectations. Everyone describes Shanghai as this super futuristic metropolis, and after spending a weekend there I understand why it has this reputation.