The Beijing Center

the beijing center for chinese studies

STUDENT LIFE TEAM

The Student Life team aspires to provide a holistic, inclusive, and immersive student experience.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR STUDENT LIFE TEAM

Our Student Life team is committed to providing care and support to students throughout their entire study abroad experience, serving as your ‘family’ away from home. As educators in Jesuit higher education, we facilitate programs, services, and experiences that help to form and inspire our students to be global citizens and leaders in our increasingly globalized world. I am proud of the work that we do and the relationships that we form with our students, and I have no doubt that this is what sets us apart from other study abroad programs.
 
Whether you need help navigating the city of Beijing, advice with travel, someone to accompany you to the doctor or hospital, or just help adjusting to life in China, we are here for you! It brings me a lot joy to be able to walk with students and support them during one of the most defining and enriching experiences of their college career. I hope to see you soon on your journey of a lifetime in Beijing! Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Student Support Services

Student life philosophy

Through a challenging, but supportive environment, we aim to meaningfully contribute to the holistic development of students-as scholars and citizens-to engage in academic and personal discovery to be change agents and leaders in the greater global community.

Services include
Pre-arrival

  • Relationship with host institution, UIBE
  • Admission
  • Visas

Arrival and Orientation

  • Cultural Assimilation
  • Setting Goals/Objectives
  • Health and Safety

Housing and Residential Life

  • Reserving chosen dorms
  • Coordinating Chinese Roommate program
  • Student Lounge- exclusive for TBC students and their Chinese Roommates

Support and Care

  • Community Meetings
  • Midterm check-ins (intrusive advising)
  • Student Retreat
  • Reentry orientation

Health and Safety

  • Emergency Phone
  • Emergency Response Team
  • Student Conduct Administration
  • Fire, Health, and Safety
  • Title IX

Co-Curricular Programming

The Student Life Team organizes a robust calendar of events each semester. These activities are either free or offered at a reduced price. The Student Life Team also encourages students to explore their own interests and assists them with organizing events each semester.

Recent events have included

  • Acrobatic and martial arts shows
  • Chinese cooking classes
  • A bike tour through the ancient hutong streets of Beijing
  • Movie nights
  • Tea ceremony
  • Chinese holiday celebrations
  • Visits to local attractions including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven

Volunteering

Over the years, volunteer opportunities have been part of many TBCers’ experiences. Volunteering and community experiences have allowed them a deeper immersion experience and the opportunity to give back to their new community.

Examples of possible volunteer options

  • Teaching English to rural migrant children
  • Leading play sessions with the children
  • with young children affected by cerebral palsy