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.
Over this past weekend, some of our students enrolled at Minzu University of China took their annual Spring Outing – this year, to Gubei Water Town. Situated about a 2-hour drive northeast of Beijing, the April weather made it absolutely perfect to explore for a spring outing. It surrounds various canals and offshoots of Yuanyang lake.
If you ever want to get a taste of Old Beijing, by far one of the best ways is to visit the hutongs. They’ve conceptually been around all the way since the 1200s, and in their most modern forms exist as protected alleyways and streets surrounded by old traditional houses and neighborhoods in the heart of Beijing and are recognized in China to be an important part of cultural heritage in the city.