WWU in Kunming, China

This study abroad program is co-sponsored by Western Washington University and Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China. The goal of this program is to help Western students to sharpen their Chinese language skills and to increase their cultural awareness. The host institution, Yunnan Normal University, is located in Kunming which is known as Eternal Spring City in China. It currently has 21 colleges and 34 research centers. The total enrollment of students is approximately 13,000 every year.

This program offers courses of Chinese language (Intermediate and Advanced) and elective courses related to Chinese culture, religion, economics, business, etc. Students may participate in the summer program (7 weeks- from mid June to August) or the fall program (14 weeks from the end of August to the mid of December) or both. Please check here for important program dates.

Resident director for the Summer of 2006 is Dr. Ning YU (650-2887), English Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98275.  He will accompany students from Seattle to Kunming, organize the study tour in Beijing and stay in Kunming directing the Summer program.
 

Application and Related Documents

Please do the following:

• Obtain the application form of the host institution, Yunnan University, from Dr. Ning YU and return it to him by March 15, 2006;
• Obtain the application package from the International Programs and Exchanges (360-650-7627) or download the form (for Western students and non Western Students) (The application fee is $256 and the deadline for application is April 1, 2006);
• Contact the Scholarship Center (Old Main 260) to see if you are eligible for any financial aid to study abroad;
• Check other resources for scholarships of studying in China;
• Obtain a copy of your recent official transcript and a letter of reference from your Chinese professors;
• Obtain your passport and visa (you need an invitation from Yunnan University to apply for your visa to China);
• Purchase your ticket to China (Before reserving your ticket, you should contact the resident director for the exact departure time and date.)

Tuition and Other Costs (2006)

Tuition (Projected):
$2,800 for Summer only

Room (Projected):
Double: $4 per day (approx. $220 for Summer only)
Single: $8 per day (approx. $440 for Summer only)

Other Costs (estimated):
Meal: $4 a day
Transportation: $1400 (airfare from Seattle to Kunming and taxi to/from airports)
One week study tour in Beijing: $350
Other personal expenses: $500 or more

Curriculum and Credits 

Chinese Language Courses

• Intermediate Chinese (10 credits for Summer)
• Advanced Chinese (10 credits for Summer)

Other Courses:

• Chinese Culture (3 credits for Summer)
• Chinese Calligraphy (1 credit for Summer)
• Taiji Boxing (1 credit for Summer)

Study Tour and Local Excursions

Study Tour in Beijing
Students will spend 5-6 days in Beijing listening to the authentic Beijing dialect, tasting traditional Chinese food, and visiting well-known places such as the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Beijing Zoo, etc. If you want to know more about these points of interest, please click here.
 
Local Excursions in Yunnan
Students will have opportunities to visit many places of interest and historical sites, as well as many minority ethnic communities in the city of Kunming and in the province of Yunnan, such as Dali, Xishuangbanna, Lijiang, the Stone Forest, etc. Transportation for local excursions is free.