Fall 2014
Market in China
DIRECTOR
Qiguang Zhao, Burton and Lily Levin Professor of Chinese
Professor Zhao initiated the Chinese Language and Literature program at Carleton College, where he teaches Chinese language, Chinese literature, and Comparative Literature. He has led off-campus programs to China more than ten times. Professor Zhao grew up on a Chinese University campus and spent his early years in Tianjin. He brings knowledge of both Chinese University and American college life to the program. Professor Zhao received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He received an M.A. in English and American Literature from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing and a B.A. in English from Tianjin Normal University. Professor Zhao’s publications include: Many Roads, Heart’s Journey, Hearing the Rain in a Passing Boat, Strangers in Strange Lands, A Study of Dragons East and West, Selected Fiction of Joseph Conrad, Do Nothing and Do Everything and numerous articles and translations in Chinese and Western journals. He often appears on Chinese television to talk about cultural and philosophical subjects.
ELIGIBILITY
Students who have completed Chinese 103 or more (or equivalent) by the start of the program are eligible to apply.
LOCATION
The program is based at Tongji University, one of the most prestigious universities in Shanghai, known for its beautiful campus and academic accomplishments. Fascinating buildings are vivid, aesthetic markers of their strong architecture program. With a subway station at the front gate and food streets on each side, Tongji University is the most ideal location in bustling Shanghai. Other sites will also be included for the group's studies and activities. Tongji University has a historical commitment to language study and is well-known in the training of students from many countries. Other institutions of higher education may be selected due to possible changing conditions at the program's base university.
Shanghai is one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Behind its thousand newly-appeared skyscrapers, the city hides old, colonial-style buildings, classical gardens, and delicious street food. Historically renowned for its foreign concessions and folk arts, Shanghai has now become one of China’s most important cultural and commercial centers.
The location, schedule, and traveling plans of the program may be altered in case of unforeseen international or domestic situations.
SOCIAL LIFE
Fellow students, both Chinese and those from other countries, are easy to meet at the University. Scheduled social and cultural events enable American and Chinese students to share interests in music and athletics, as well as in Chinese arts and calligraphy. Tongji University hosts many cultural events and outdoor activities, and has facilities for volleyball, basketball, tennis, ping-pong, and Chinese martial arts.
TRAVEL AND EXCURSIONS
The program includes extensive travel to historical and cultural sites, and provides opportunities to experience some of China’s most culturally significant scenery. Travel is integrated with courses on Chinese culture, and presents many opportunities for practical application of newly acquired language skills. The group will visit many places of cultural and political importance, including Beijing. Students will have individual travel time when they are divided into small teams travelling across China.