Learning Abroad in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies: Chinese Studies Subplan

Living and learning in China and Taiwan is essential to bring your knowledge of Chinese language and culture to a professional level. Proficiency in Chinese is not just about becoming fluent in the language, but also knowing how to use your language in ways that are appropriate and effective. How to tell a joke in Chinese, and when not to. How to respond to social and historical references in an informed way. That type of deep cultural knowledge comes only from studying the culture and experiencing Chinese society first hand.

Professor Joe Allen, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Department Recommendations

Familiarize yourself with the graduation requirements for the AMES major or minor.

Program Selection

There are three basic types of programs

• Host-University Study Programs: programs in which students enroll in a university alongside students from the host country
• Study Center Programs: programs in which students take classes in an institute or a center for foreign students
• Study Center Programs with a university component: programs that combine courses in a center for foreign students with the option of taking courses in a university with native speakers

Best Time to Go Abroad

• AMES majors and minors may study abroad at any time during their academic career.
• AMES, however, recommends that you complete the equivalent of the first two years of language study before studying abroad. Students benefit the most learning abroad in their 3rd year and above.
• AMES does not recommend studying abroad during the final semester of your senior year unless you have completed AMES 4901W. Consult with the AMES adviser and the Director of Language Instruction in advance if you are planning to do so.

Meet With the AMES Academic Adviser

• Determine what type of abroad coursework can be used in your major or minor.
• Determine how your coursework will be evaluated upon your return.
• Complete the Academic Planning Form for Study Abroad (APSA) to structure and document your discussion at least a month prior to your departure.
• Be sure to list more courses on the APSA form than what you will actually take abroad in case a particular course or schedule may not be available on-site.
• While abroad, notify your AMES adviser via email to any changes in your onsite registration (credit, course content, new course needing approval, etc.)

Fulfill Academic Requirements

Liberal Education Requirements

• You can fulfill liberal education requirements while abroad. Consult the U-Credit Abroad database for more information.

Major and Minor Requirements

• AMES Major: It is possible to earn language credit (third year and above) and up to 3 electives through learning abroad coursework.
• AMES Minor: It is possible to earn advanced language credit (third year or above) or one elective through learning abroad coursework.
• Study abroad coursework may also be used to fulfill the Group B or C coursework requirement for the major.
• Study abroad coursework cannot be used to fulfill the five AMES-designated courses or the major project (AMES 4901W).
• Elective coursework may be taken in English or Chinese.
• Study abroad resident or transfer credit may be applied toward major and minor requirements as long as the grades are taken on an A/F grade base.
• Coursework most similar to AMES-designator courses have the greatest likelihood of being approved for the major/minor. For example, a Chinese literature/language/culture course may be approved, but a Chinese accounting or science course will not be approved.
• Most coursework will need to be petitioned upon return. A meeting with your AMES adviser prior to departure, which is required, can help increase the likelihood of your coursework abroad being approved for major or minor requirements.

Language Coursework

• When taking language coursework abroad, you will work with the program to determine your Chinese language course level. This may involve a written placement exam, oral exam, and/or writing sample. Keep in mind that you cannot receive credit for a class that duplicates what you have already taken on campus.
• If you are not satisfied with the level in which you have placed, notify the on-site staff, your AMES academic adviser, and your Learning Abroad Center program adviser immediately.
• Prerequisite (first and second year) language coursework taken abroad may not be used to fulfill AMES major/minor requirements.

Upon Return

• It is crucial to retain all coursework materials from the classes you take abroad, including all syllabi, textbooks, papers, tests, projects and presentation handouts.  These materials will be reviewed by the department to determine the applicability of study abroad coursework to the major or minor.
• Consult with the AMES academic adviser to determine:
  • appropriate placement into your next language course upon return.
  • completion of the language requirement for the major.
  • whether a placement exam is required to apply credit toward your AMES major or minor
    • Contact the AMES adviser for Chinese placement and proficiency testing dates, and take the exam as soon as possible upon your return.
• Because of the sequencing of AMES language courses, you may not be able to enroll in the next language level immediately after returning from abroad.
• Your APAS record will not be updated until your study abroad grades post to your transcript.

Scholarship Opportunities

University of Minnesota

• The Learning Abroad Center offers at least three scholarships for which AMES students pursuing study abroad may be eligible. In addition, some affiliate programs, including CET offer scholarships for students participating on their programs.
• The College of Liberal Arts offers scholarships that may be used for study abroad, including the Lawrence scholarship specifically for AMES students.
• The Institute for Global Studies at the University of Minnesota is offering Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships in African, Asian and International Studies. The competition is open to undergraduate, graduate and professional degree students to study a modern, less-commonly-taught language (LCTL) in combination with an area studies course. Travel to countries on the US State Department travel warning list are not eligible for FLAS funding.

National Scholarships

• The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (gives preference to students studying in Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America) offers grants to U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad.
• Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds, provide up to $20,000 to US undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to US interests, including China.
• Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLSP) is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages.
• Fulbright supports one year of study, research, creative work, or English teaching in one of approximately 130 foreign countries. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with the majority of their undergraduate education in the U.S. Seniors, recent graduates and graduate students may apply. Campus contact for undergraduates and recent graduates:  [email protected].

Greater China- & Region-specific Scholarships

• The Freeman-ASIA scholarship offers awards up to $7000 for US-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Preference is given to students with little or no previous experience studying in Asia.
• The University of Minnesota's China Center offers a number of scholarships study in China and Taiwan.

Programs