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This page is the brochure for your selected program. You can view the provided information for this program on this page and click on the available buttons for additional options.
SIT China: Chinese Culture and Ethnic Minorities
Kunming, China
 
Program Terms: Fall,
 Spring
Homepage: Click to visit
Dates &
Deadlines: 		Click here to view
Restrictions: Columbia applicants only
Fact Sheet:
 Language of Instruction: 		Chinese
 Language Requirement: 		2 semesters of language, or equivalent
Program Type: Field-based Program
 Program Advisor: 		Fay Ju: fjj1@columbia.edu
Eligibility: Columbia Undergraduates Program Features: Homestays, Research Opportunities, Traveling Seminar
Program Description:

Overview

ChinaSIT in Kunming is a a field study program designed to explore minority identities in southwest China's Yunnan province, home to nearly half of China's more than 50 government-recognized minority groups. The program is offered in fall or spring semester for students with at least one year of college level of Chinese.
Though the academic coursework will be conducted in English, students are expected to have a beginning functionality in Mandarin and will continue Mandarin study and practice during the program. Housing varies throughout the program.  During the last month of the program, students conduct one month of independent research.

For the most up-to-date information about this program: Click here

Academic Program

Students will be enrolled in four courses during the semester for a total of 16 credits:

  • Chinese Culture and Ethnic Minorities Seminar
  • Intensive Language Study: Mandarin
  • Field Study Seminar
  • Independent Study Project (ISP). 

The ISP gives students the unique opportunity to apply their learning from the semester to an independent field based research project supervised by a local advisor.

Program Features

SIT programs emphasize learning by experiencing, and with that in mind, students participate in several educational excursions throughout the semester. Students will visit Dali, Lijian, Tibetan areas of Zhongdian and other less visited rural minority locations, Beijing and the Great Wall.

Because of the highly mobile nature of the program, students will live in a variety of locations. Students participate in a two week homestay in Kinming and a 4-5 night homestay in a rural area in Shaxi.  For the rest of the program, students will live in hostels, educational institutions or small hotels.

For Columbia student evaluations of the program: Click here

 

Eligibility

All students should consult the OGP eligibility page to ensure that they meet all specific academic requirements for each school (CC, GS, SEAS) to study abroad.

Application Instructions

There is a two-part application process for this program: an internal Columbia approval process called 'clearance' and an external admission application submitted directly to this program. Click "Start an Application" above for instructions and to begin

Columbia Dates & Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline/Columbia Clearance Deadline Decision Date & Deadline Note Start Date End Date
Spring 2014 10/15/2013**

Admissions decisions for Columbia Programs will be sent approximately 3 to 4 weeks after the application deadline.

Columbia students applying to external programs should check with the program itself for an admissions timeline.

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** Internal Columbia deadlines may be different from program application deadlines. Be sure to check with your chosen program or school to confirm any external deadlines.