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China: Hangzhou

Hangzhou, known as the garden city for the unusual quantity and quality of its parks and greenery, is the capital of Zhejiang province. Located just over 100 miles from Shanghai in eastern China, Hangzhou was China's capital during the Southern Song dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Today Hangzhou has approximately seven million inhabitants and is home to at least 20 universities, an important emerging technology industry, and temples, pagodas, gardens and museums acclaimed throughout China and the world. Beautiful West Lake, made famous in Chinese literature, offers a scenic respite from the activity of city life. With few international students and abundant opportunities for cultural immersion, Hangzhou offers an ideal setting for the study of Chinese language and culture.

This program is designed specifically for advanced students of Chinese, who wish to attend an intensive language program, as well as pursue area studies courses taught in Chinese. The program is offered through Middlebury College, working in conjunction with CET Academic Programs.

Dates

Spring semester: early February to early June

Fields of Study

Chinese language, Chinese area studies, Introduction to Classical Chinese, Readings in Modern Literature, Chinese Film

Eligibility

Five semesters of college-level Chinese or the equivalent, with at least a B average in Chinese, a B average in the major, and a B- average overall. Students are expected to complete a Chinese language course the semester prior to the term abroad.

Number of Students

Approximately 2-5 qualified Pomona students; total program enrollment approximately 35-40 students. The host institution, the Zhejiang University of Technology, has an enrollment of approximately 15,000 Chinese students.

Academic Program

The program starts in Beijing, where students enroll in CET Academic Programs' January Term, a four-week intensive program for intermediate and advanced learners. (This is a non-credit, preparatory course for the spring semester in Hangzhou.)

The Middlebury Program in Hangzhou consists of four courses. The program requires two courses: "Hangzhou Studies," and an intensive one-on-one tutorial on an academic subject of the student's choosing. Then students choose two electives ( 1.0 Pomona credits each). All course work is conducted entirely in Chinese, and the program has a required language pledge.

There is no P/NC option on this program.

Living Arrangements

Students live in double rooms both in Beijing and Hangzhou with Chinese roommates. Students typically eat breakfast and lunch on campus, and dinner in a local restaurant. Pomona provides a meal allowance.