Beijing Based in one of China's most cosmopolitan cities and the home of "standard" Mandarin, CET's Beijing program is an ideal location in which to study Chinese language and culture. The city offers students numerous outlets--from traditional "hutong" neighborhoods and historical sites like the Summer Palace, to contemporary shopping arenas, artist enclaves and sporting events. Visits to many of these outlets are incorporated into the program, so students have every opportunity to take advantage of these myriad cultural resources.
Campus The program is based at the western branch campus of Beijing Institute of Education (BIE). Centrally located near the Beijing Zoo and its nearby metro station, BIE is a small college in a quiet neighborhood (a rarity in Beijing!) offering degree programs in education.
There are two main dormitory buildings on campus. The west dorm houses all double rooms, the CET office, a student lounge, kitchen and a small library. The east dorm houses all single rooms, classrooms, a study lounge and a small computer lab. Small stores where students can purchase miscellaneous items such as bottled water, phone cards, snacks, etc. are also located in each dormitory.
Housing, Meals & Chinese Roommates CET students reside in a dormitory on BIE’s campus and may choose to in a double room with a Chinese student or live in a single room. Most students opt for the former arrangement and often tell us that their Chinese roommate is one of the best parts of the program. Roommates are selected from local universities and participate in most activities. Recently renovated dorm rooms are simple, but comfortable, with air-conditioning and private phone lines. ADSL connections are available in each dorm room or students may use the high-speed Internet connections in the computer lab.
Weekday lunches are provided in the CET dining hall. While students may eat at the campus cafeteria for other meals, they are encouraged to discover local eateries with their Chinese roommates.
Activities & Excursions The program arranges a myriad of activities in and around Beijing. Most excursions allow students to venture to a location they could not visit on their own, such as a rural village or a remote temple complex. In some cases, class work is directly related to outings and students are required to complete assignments during the activity.
In addition, each fall and spring, the program arranges overnight excursions. Trips introduce students to a nearby city of historic or cultural significance, such as Xi’an, Datong, Chengde or Pingyao. Other excursions, designed for the more adventurous, may be a visit to a traditional village, camping on the Great Wall, a visit to the grasslands of Inner Mongolia or a Rural Retreat. This Rural Retreat may take students, their Chinese roommates and teachers to the rural outskirts of Beijing where they interact with locals, sometimes staying overnight in the homes of the villagers. The retreat culminates in what students have come to call “China Night”, an evening of music, skits, performances and games.
Finally, students may choose to enroll in extracurricular courses which are arranged according to student interest. Recent classes have included Chinese cooking, painting, calligraphy, martial arts and chess.
During the summer term, fewer activities and trips are offered in order to accommodate the program's rigorous academic schedule and fast pace. The program arranges one overnight weekend trip in addition to some language-based activities that challenge students to exercise their Chinese skills outside of the classroom.
The program arranges a myriad of activities in and around Beijing. Most excursions allow students to venture to a location they could not visit on their own, such as a rural village or a remote temple complex. In some cases, class work is directly related to outings and students are required to complete assignments during the activity.