Journey to China is a summer study abroad program run by the University of Oklahoma for University of Oklahoma students. The purpose of the program is to promote cultural understanding between the peoples of China and the United States. Participants on the program will be hosted by OU Partner Universities in cities across China and will have the opportunity to experience some of the country's rich culture and history.
It is not necessary to have any background in Chinese to participate in Journey to China as all required coursework will take place in English or be translated into English. Lectures will focus on a range of subjects including Chinese language, culture, history, economics, politics and international relations. Guided field trips and experiential activities are an integral part of the program. Students will be required to keep a journal.
Every year a Chinese-speaking OU faculty or staff member accompanies the group to provide continuity and instructional support. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students will receive four transfer credits and fulfill their non-Western Civilization General Education graduation requirement. These international transfer credits will be recorded on your OU transcript on a S/U basis and will not factor into your OU GPA.
2010 Journey to China program details are not yet available. The information listed below is from the 2009 program.
Program Dates
May 24 - June 26, 2009
OU Faculty Leader
This year, the OU faculty leader will be Alan Atkinson. Oklahoma native Alan Atkinson is a scholar of Asian Art and Culture. He studied Art at OU and received an MA and Ph.D. in Chinese Art History from the University of Kansas. Atkinson also attended prestigious Nankai University in Tianjin, PRC for two years where he recieved training in Chinese Art History and Musuem Studies. Dr. Atkinson has taught courses for the OU departments of History and Art & Art History since 2002, including; "Contemporary China", "Traditional China", "Introduction to Asian Art", "Chinese Art", and "Religious Arts of Asia". A fluent Mandarin speaker, Dr. Atkinson has been traveling to China since 1979, and has previously led educational tours to the People's Rebublic of China.
Xi'an International Studies University
The program will begin on Sunday, May 24, in the city of Xi'an, an ancient capital of many Chinese dynasties. Participants will learn some elementary Chinese characters and phrases, attend lectures on Chinese history and art, interact with Chinese students from the Xi'an International Studies University (XISU), visit museums and explore the city. A faculty member from XISU will provide instruction for this leg of the journey.
Yunnan Normal University
On Monday, June 1, participants will leave Xi'an and arrive in the city of Kunming. Yunnan Normal University will host this segment of the program, where participants will learn about minority ethnic groups in China, classical Chinese music and the World War II "Flying Tigers." Participants will also take a side trip to Li Jiang, a remote city located deep within the mountains of China.
Peking University
Participants will arrive in Beijing, capital of China, on Wednesday, June 10, and will be hosted by Peking University. Curriculum for this portion of the program will include lectures on current events in China, as well the history of Sino-U.S. relations. Students will have the opportunity to visit the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Ming tombs, and other sites of interest within the city of Beijing.
Fudan University
The final leg of the program will begin on Friday, June 19, when participants will arrive in the vibrant city of Shanghai. Participants will attend several lectures on a variety of subjects, including urban planning, given by faculty members of Fudan University. There will also be opportunities to explore notable Shanghai sites such as Nanjing Road, People's Square and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The program will end on Friday, June 26, when participants will be dropped off at the Shanghai airport.
Where would I stay?
Students will stay in host university guest houses, dormitories or local hotels. Each student will share a room with one other student. Participants will be able to select their own roommates.
All students are required to pay a USD$35 non-refundable application fee as part of their application to study abroad. This fee will be charged through the Office of the Bursar to your OU student account. The cost of the program is $3,600. The program price includes tuition for program instruction at our partner universities in China, transfer credits to fulfill OU's general education requirement in non-Western civilization, activities and excursions as included in the program, in-country transportation (including all internal flights), lodging and most meals. The program price will not include international airfare, passport and visa fees, personal expenses or meals consumed during free days or evenings. Students should expect to pay for three or four evening meals on their own, and will be given one or two completely free days.
Round trip international airfare (from/to Oklahoma City/China) is currently estimated at $2,000. Students will be given the option of flying to China together as a group, but will not be required to do so. Students will also be required to obtain a visa to travel to China. The current cost of a visa to enter China for U.S. citizens is $130. Education Abroad will guide students through the necessary steps required to acquire the visa.
All accepted participants will be granted a Presidential International Travel Fellowship award to substantially offset the cost of international airfare. Participants will not enroll for OU summer tuition hours for this program, as credits will be awarded on a transfer basis. For information concerning Financial Aid for summer programs abroad, please click here.
Simply provide our office with a completed OU Summer Programs Abroad general application form and application fee by the extended application deadline of Friday, March 13, 2009. An application form as well as application instructions are available on the main summer programs webpage.
A deposit of USD$500 is due on March 27, 2009 and goes toward the final cost of the program. An additional program payment will be due on April 17, 2009 and final payment is due no later than May 1, 2009. Detailed instructions concerning program payments will be sent to accepted applicants.All communication concerning Journey to China, including confirmation of acceptance, will be sent to your official OU email address. Students will be required to attend a pre-departure orientation session before going abroad. Parents are welcome to attend this orientation session. Please direct any questions about Journey to China to Alice Kloker, Study Abroad Advisor for Summer Programs in Education Abroad at the University of Oklahoma.
Alice Kloker
Summer Programs Advisor
Education Abroad
Old Science Hall
640 Parrington Oval, Room 223
Norman, OK 73019
kloker@ou.edu
Telephone: 405-325-1693
