This week, TBC has come to the difficult decision to cancel the study abroad programs for Fall 2021 for students outside of China.
While the outspread in some countries (including China) has leveled out, travel restrictions and entry/exit requirements still makes it hard for the greater mobility. In response, TBC upholds the ongoing health concerns and has made a conscious and carefully thought-out decision to prioritize the students’ health and minimize international travel.
To prevent further complications in students’ academic planning and to mitigate any potential travel and visa complications, TBC decided to cancel the fall semester abroad program. The decision is in accordance with many partner universities’ newly imposed study abroad restrictions, which will jointly allow students to plan their studies in time for next semester.
However, the decision does not apply to TBC domestic and virtual programs, including American Pathway Program (study-away opportunity for US university students in China), ChinaChat Program (virtual Mandarin courses), and the Virtual Internship Program (application deadlines: May 15 for summer, Oct. 1 for fall). As the global education environment evolves alongside the pandemic, TBC’s programs will continue providing a unique Chinese culture and academic experience.
At this time, TBC is working with partner universities reaching out to prospective students to notify them of the Fall 2021 cancellation, and to assist them in their future return to TBC. We hope to be able to resume our face-to-face study abroad program in Spring 2022.
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.