The growing interest in Chinese culture and language at Vanderbilt has spawned another program.

Experiencing China: Chinese Language, Culture and Economics is a three-credit program that runs from May 19 to June 16, 2008, and the first official Vanderbilt program in China. Students will travel to Shanghai, Beijing and Xi'an over the four weeks.

In recent years, interest in Chinese language and travel has increased significantly at Vanderbilt. Over 100 students are enrolled in Chinese language classes, making it the second most studied language at Vanderbilt after Spanish, said Xianmin Liu, Chinese language program director and head of the Vanderbilt in China program.

"There has been an upper trajectory of interest for all study abroad programs," said Gary Johnston, director of the Global Education Office. "However, we have found that interest in China is increasing with particularly significant speed."

Last semester, only a few students chose to study abroad in China. This semester, the number has risen to 12.

The Experiencing China program is one of the few Maymesters not yet closed. Programs in London, Berlin and Australia have been filled - Shanghai, Egypt and Montreal remain open.

"People know London and are familiar with it. It is English-speaking," Johnston said.

But Liu was hopeful for increased interest in the China program.

"Going to China is a new idea. Interest (in visiting China) has grown, perhaps due in part to the upcoming Olympics," Liu said.

While participation in the program requires a prior study of Chinese, students will take intensive language practicum classes upon arriving in Shanghai.
Other than language, students will learn about China's economic development, take trips to local businesses, listen to speakers from other universities and study the emerging Chinese market.

They will also take part in cultural experiences such as martial arts classes, traditional Chinese cuisine, various shows, trips to Beijing before the Olympics begin and Xi'an, the site of the famous terracotta soldiers.

"The program will teach students how to understand China socially, economically and politically and try to interest them in the Chinese experience," Liu said. "I recommend it to all students, whether or not they have studied Chinese in the past."

— Nikki Bogopolskaya can be reached at veronika.bogopolskaya@vanderbilt.edu