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Chinese

Off-Campus Studies can help students of Chinese…

  • Improve foreign language skills
  • Gain awareness of the major discipline from a different scholarly tradition
  • Develop global perspectives
  • Expand cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills
  • Prepare for an increasingly diverse and international workplace

How does a semester or year of OCS help students in Chinese prepare for graduate school or various career opportunities? 

  • Most students experience significant linguistic development through off-campus studies in the Chinese-speaking world even if the student studies abroad for just one semester.
  • Broad exposure to Mandarin Chinese or Chinese culture, specialized course work, and internship opportunities for career development

As a general rule of thumb, the Chinese Department recommends the following for students who wish to study off campus.

  • First and second-year students who have no prior background in Chinese and intend to study abroad in the Chinese-speaking world should enroll in CHN 105, CHN 106, CHN 205, and CHN 206 during their first two years at Whitman.
  • Students who have a previous background in the language should take the Chinese placement test prior to registering for classes their first semester and enroll in a Chinese course at the appropriate level.

Which requirements can Chinese majors fulfill while off campus?

  • Chinese language and literature courses as well as the Chinese/Asian Culture course elective may be transferred with the approval of your major adviser.
  • General Studies distribution credit
  • General degree credit

Major Credit Limitations

  • The maximum number of credits that can be applied to the Chinese major from off campus studies (including transfer credit from other US institutions) is 12 credits with the approval of your major adviser. 

Minor Credit Limitations

  • A minimum of three-fifths (12) of the specific course and credit requirements for the Chinese minor (a total of 20 credits) must be completed in the on-campus program of the college.

What are the types of OCS programs recommended by the Chinese department?

  • Traditional campus-based program that combines courses for foreign students (including Chinese language courses) with opportunities for direct enrollment at a university abroad
  • Program that offers an opportunity for an internship or service learning embedded in an academic course as part of the program

Which Partner Programs are recommended by the Chinese department?

  • CIEE: Shanghai China in a Global Context (Shanghai)
  • CET: Beijing
  • CET: Taiwan

Students interested in Off-Campus Studies should attend an OCS First Step meeting in the fall of their second year, discuss their interests with their major adviser, and schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser.

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