Studies abroad programs expand to include Beijing for summer 2013
By Lesley Dawson Staff Writer dawson14@up.edu
Beginning in June 2013, UP students will have the opportunity to study abroad in Beijing, China through an English-based program run by English professor and assistant to the provost John Orr.
Until now, UP students could apply to study abroad in China only through the Institute for the International Education of Students, or IES.
However, the summer 2013 program will provide students with the opportunity to study in Beijing with other UP students and a faculty member in a program more like the ones already offered to UP students in Europe.
When the University began offering language courses in Mandarin last year, an overseas program was developed to send students to China that does not require previous Chinese language experience.
The Beijing summer 2013 program through UP will be taught by a UP faculty member and a Chinese IES faculty member.
The program will include two courses: Modern Chinese Literature, taught by Orr, and Modern Chinese History, taught by a member of the Chinese faculty.
Orr believes studying with and learning from UP faculty in Beijing will make the cultural transition easier for students.
"Sometimes going with faculty from here eases students," Orr said. "It's doubly important to be with students and faculty so students are more comfortable in making that transition."
Orr encourages students to choose Beijing because of its location, culture and history. Beijing is the seat of the Chinese government and is located within an hour of five world heritage sites, including the Great Wall and Ming Tombs.
"One of the things I'm wanting to do with this program is help students see that this isn't so exotic that they can't do it," Orr said.
Junior Deven Ropes, who will be studying in Beijing next spring, is excited to experience life abroad while continuing her studies in China.
"It's so different from the European and Western view," Ropes said. "I went there for two weeks in high school, I just fell in love with it."
Over the past few decades, China has become one of the United States' major economic partners and a major global power, causing the Studies Abroad department to develop programs there during, what Orr calls, "an exciting time."
"China is the future, I don't see any way around it," Orr said. "We are going to continue to have a relationship with this country and can't ignore the economic powerhouse that it is."
Both Orr and Brian Eyler, director of the IES Beijing Center, believe that studying abroad in China has not only global, but local implications.
"Our lives are intricately linked to China," Eyler said in an IES Beijing Center informational meeting on Oct. 27.
Orr encourages all kinds of students to apply to study abroad in Beijing, especially those with interest in history and English.
"We are looking for a person who's interested in a different kind of learning experience," Orr said. "It's a really wonderful opportunity to get a firsthand glimpse of this amazingly ancient culture."
Applications for the Beijing summer 2013 program will be available starting September 2012.
