SERVICE-LEARNING: ENGAGE, LEARN, AND ACT – VIRTUAL EVENT RECAP
On June 16, 2021, The Beijing Center held an online event as part of its East Meets West Talks series. The event introduced three speakers who addressed the pressing importance of service-learning as community involvement and student engagement in higher education. The discussion centered around the ways in which service-learning is being implemented in different communities and institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND TEACHING SOCIAL VALUES FOR SUSTAINABILITY AT TBC
In light of ongoing global environmental awareness, TBC has established educational practices and lectures that encourage pro-environmental values and incorporate social values that nurture the Care of our Common Home spirit. A crucial component of TBC’s environmental education is ethical analysis and how students can learn through practice and theory, beginning with increasing awareness of local efforts towards sustainability and enriched living quality on Earth.
SERVICE-LEARNING: ENGAGE, LEARN, AND ACT – VIRTUAL EVENT
Part of “East Meets West Talks” series, The Beijing Center presents “Service-Learning: Engage, Learn, and Act.” Our discussion will focus on the implementation of service-learning and ways to actively support local communities, with a conscious effort towards cultural understanding.
TEACHING THE CROSS-CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS OF HERBAL CHINESE MEDICINE AT TBC
Thousands of years of traditional Chinese medicine practices and knowledge have evolved and continue to evolve. Its effectiveness and simplistic approach are widely debated, as certain Chinese medicinal practices help heal specific conditions while also maintaining your qi*. However, the experimental nature of Chinese medicine is what has made it an inquisitive cultural aspect that draws global interest and participation.
FR. STEPHEN CHOW, JESUIT EDUCATOR AND TBC VICE-CHAIRMAN, TO BECOME NEW BISHOP OF Hong Kong
On Monday, May 17, 2021, Pope Francis named Fr. Stephen Chow SJ as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Hong Kong.
Bishop-Elect Chow, a native of Hong Kong, has served as the provincial of the Jesuits’ Chinese Province since 2018 and has been a supporter of The Beijing Center (TBC) for nearly a decade, currently serving as Vice-chairman of TBC’s board of directors.
SOPHIA UNIVERSITY AND THE BEIJING CENTER SIGN A VIRTUAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AGREEMENT
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.
THE BEIJING LGBT CENTER PRESENTS AN INFORMATIVE TALK TO THE BEIJING CENTER STUDENTS
One of the main aspects we celebrate at The Beijing Center is our inclusivity of diverse groups of people. The community we have cultivated includes people of different cultural backgrounds, race, and sexual identity, as we work towards providing more educational opportunities to learn and promote diversity and inclusion.
THE BEIJING CENTER CANCELS FALL 2021 SEMESTER ABROAD
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.
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FROM THE BEIJING CENTER TEACH ENGLISH TO LOCAL COMMUNITY CHILDREN
The commitment to service-learning has long been a core practice and value for students at The Beijing Center. This semester, the Spring 2021 students had the opportunity to visit an organization that The Beijing Center has collaborated with for years, Five Loaves and Two Fish.
DUNDALK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND TBC SIGN TRANSFER AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE STUDENT EXCHANGE BETWEEN CHINA AND IRELAND
On March 16, 2021, The Beijing Center and Dundalk Institute of Technology signed a transfer agreement in cooperation of facilitating academic and cultural student exchange between China and Ireland. In an effort to connect and embrace the emerging academic and cultural opportunities between Europe and China, The Beijing Center has taken the initiative to expand its international partnerships – specifically in Ireland, a top study abroad destination.
WELCOME SPRING 2021 PATHWAY PROGRAM STUDENTS
On Friday, March 19, 2021, The Beijing Center (TBC) welcomed its Spring 2021 cohort of local Chinese freshmen. As we face the continued changing global academic environment, our American Pathway Program resumes hosting local students, allowing them to take relevant courses at TBC as they work towards transferring into an undergraduate degree program abroad.
ANCIENT PRACTICES TO IMPROVE MENTAL WELLNESS, VIRTUAL EVENT RECAP
On March 13, 2021, The Beijing Center held an online webinar discussing a prevalent global issue at the moment – mental health. During a time where a plethora of knowledge is being offered about how to nurture your mental wellness while faced with the ongoing pandemic, three academics came together to provide some unconventional ancient practices that can help increase the connectivity of heart, body, and mind.
ANCIENT PRACTICES TO IMPROVE MENTAL WELLNESS, VIRTUAL EVENT
Part of “East Meets West Talks” series, The Beijing Center presents a group of experts to share insights from Daoism, Taichi, and Spiritual Discernment, offering tools and techniques to embrace the mind, body, and spirit to help tackle today’s challenges during pandemic times.
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY AND THE BEIJING CENTER SIGN TRANSFER ADMISSIONS AGREEMENT
On February 15, 2021, Marquette University and The Beijing Center signed a Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Upon meeting the necessary academic and disciplinary requirements, students will be guaranteed admission to Marquette University to pursue their bachelor’s degree.
THE END OF 2020: BUSY AND BETTER TIMES
So, it’s that time of year again: the end! What a wonderful time it is, with a year of experiences and memories under our belt and looking forward to another great one. In Chinese culture, the end of a lunar calendar year, Chinese New Year, is a much bigger event than that of the Georgian calendar. Western holidays like Thanksgiving (see our Mid-Autumn Festival article to read about Chinese Thanksgiving) and Christmas are not national holidays. Although New Year’s Day is one, Winter Break for students typically does not begin until early January. This year, however, due to COVID concerns, our students ended their semester mid-December, in accordance with UIBE’s calendar.
Virtual Internship Showcase – Fall 2020
With the development of the global pandemic, more academic institutions have adapted and modified education methods. Starting in summer 2020, TBC began offering virtual internship experiences to students interested in China and its growing business market. Just recently, the fall 2020 Virtual Internship Program concluded with an online event recapping the student-interns’ experiences.
Adapting to the Changing International Education Environment – The Beijing Center
Although the global education environment is ever-changing, the on-going COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges that have prompted institutions to expand their teaching and learning methods. While these new ways have positive effects, they have also disrupted student mobility and given rise to assessment and accreditation constraints and jeopardized educators’ and students’ academic pursuits. Along with many institutions, The Beijing Center (TBC) – the only Jesuit center and intellectual hub in mainland China – has implemented new ways to educate students and create cultural exchange opportunities.
SERVICE-LEARNING活动回顾，感恩纪念
Each semester, students at The Beijing Center (TBC) are encouraged to participate in local service-learning activities to practice the Jesuit tradition of helping others and attaining a sense of social responsibility. This fall semester, TBC students volunteered at Five Loaves and Two Fish, an organization acting to support migrant worker families. The name Five Loaves and Two Fish originates from the biblical story about a miracle performed by Jesus where he served five thousand people with five loaves and two fish.
THE BEIJING CENTER CANCELS SPRING 2021 SEMESTER ABROAD
This week, TBC has come to the difficult decision to cancel the study abroad programs for Spring 2021 for students outside of China. While the outspread in some countries (including China) has leveled out, the pandemic is far from over. Not only is the number of daily COVID-19 cases rising in many countries, including the US, but travel restrictions and entry/exit requirements are strengthening as well. 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 travel.
FALL REOPENING: THE BEIJING CENTER WELCOMES NEW AMERICAN PATHWAY PROGRAM STUDENTS
On Friday, September 11, 2020, The Beijing Center (TBC) welcomed its Fall 2020 cohort comprised of local Chinese freshman from the College of the Holy Cross, Saint Joseph’s University, University of Notre Dame, and University of the South. As part of their journey into higher education, the American Pathway Program students will earn undergraduate credit at TBC that will transfer to their US universities, while also taking part in various seminars and activities on college success and American culture.