2015 Immersion Hub in SHANGHAI OPEN UNIVERSITY 24 Aug - 11 Sep, Shanghai
Program Overview The three-week Immersion Hub Program offers a unique opportunity for international students who want to learn the Mandarin Chinese and get an insight into Chinese culture and people's lives in China. The program allows students to enhance their Chinese proficiency rapidly in small classes and to learn various aspects of Chinese culture and society through coursework and activities. Joining the Immersion Hub will also help students to achieve multicultural understanding, establish a global vision and get connected with peers from around the world. The Shanghai Open University was originally Shanghai TV University, and was established in 1960. Shanghai Open University is a higher learning institute delivering open and distance education to adults supported by modern information and communication technologies. It is a public open university that provides degree education programs, vocational training programs as well as cultural and recreational education programs. Its tranquil main campus is located in the Yangpu District with easy access to a major subway line and several commercial centers. Shanghai, the proud host of the 2010 World Expo, is a modern, dynamic and amazing city. It features many sites of interest to students in the program: beyond the Bund and Oriental Pearl Tower cityscapes there are a huge range of museums, colonial architecture, theatres, gardens, parks and shopping areas. Study in China, Choose Shanghai Open University!
Curricula and Activities (1) Chinese Language Class: A Chinese Placement Test will be given to all students at the beginning of the course to make sure that the Chinese lessons are tailored to meet all levels. All students will get an account for SouX online lessons prior to their arrival in China and can follow the online Chinese lessons by themselves to prepare for the test. Classes are taught in Chinese. (2) Chinese Culture and Society Class: Covers a wide range of topics, such as Chinese history, economics, philosophy and customs with emphasis on cross cultural aspects, and allows students to get better understanding of traditional and contemporary China. Classes are taught in English. (3) Experience-type Chinese Culture Class: Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, Taichi- Shadow Boxing, Chinese Dance, Table Tennis, etc. Classes are taught in Chinese with English translation. (4) Inner city tours are offered throughout the program including scenic spots, museums, acrobatic performances, etc. The trip to the famous Watertown Zhujiajiao and the one day tour in the city of Suzhou will provide a genuine feel for students of what Chinese cities and villages were like a hundred years ago and give them an opportunity to experience the beauty of Chinese private gardens from old times. (5) An optional four-day trip to Beijing is available at the student s own expense. Eligibility and Application (1) Our program is open to all non-chinese citizens above 16 years of age with a specific interest in Chinese culture. (2) Application Method: Complete the online application form at http://iie.sou.edu.cn/?page_id=728 or fill in the downloaded form and send it to the coordinator before 22 July. (3) Scholarship Announcement Time: 1st of July. If you want to be considered for a scholarship, please apply early.
Tentative Schedule
Cost (1) Program Fee: The program fee can be paid in Chinese Yuan, US Dollar or Euro. It covers tuition, learning materials, program events, inner city tours and transportation, a one-day tour to Suzhou, two T-shirts and a flash drive, light refreshments and lunch. Those who pay by remittance before 31 July to Shanghai Open University will enjoy the early bird rate of 3500 / $550 / 450. Currency Chinese Yuan US Dollar Euro Normal 4000 $650 550 Early Bird 3500 $550 450 (2) Accommodation Cost: If you need accommodation arranged by Shanghai Open University, the costs(1person/day, breakfast included) are as follows: Room Single Double shared with a roommate SOU Hotel 150 80 Holiday Inn Express 300 150 (3) Optional Tour: four-day trip to Beijing, approximately 3500. * Fees include high speed train ticket/plane ticket, lodging, meals, tickets to scenic spots and transportation. Scenic spots include the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Olympic Center, etc. * The exact amount may be different depending on the tickets price at that time. The trip is contingent on a minimum of 15 participants. (4) Other Expenses to Budget for: Other expenses vary greatly as per individual needs, but will include international airfare, travel insurance, Chinese visa costs, meals, entertainment, personal expenses in China, etc. Payment Method (1)The program fee is payable in cash upon arrival in Shanghai for registration or by remittance (T/T) in advance. Checks are not accepted. A remittance with the student's passport name can be made payable to: Beneficiary Name: Shanghai Open University A/C No.: 033746-00801117840 Bank: Agricultural Bank of China, Shanghai Siping Road Sub-Branch Swift Code: ABOCCNBJ090 Bank Address: No.65 Chifeng Road, Shanghai, P. R. China (2) Accommodation and optional tour fees can be paid upon your arrival in Shanghai. (3) Refund Policy: * The program fee is 100% refundable before the registration date; the program fee is not refundable once the program has started. * If the refund is possible, it will be made in Chinese Yuan. * Once the optional tour agreement with the travel agency has been signed, the fee for the tour can not be refunded. Scholarship Shanghai Open University can offer up to 25 scholarships, covering the full program fee, to international applicants in 2015. All applicants will AUTOMATICALLY be considered for scholarship if their application is complete. A subsidy for accommodation will be considered for applicants from developing countries (List of Developing Countries by World Bank http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-and-lending-groups). Shanghai Open University considers scholarships based on the following principles: (1) The quality of the application. (2) The nomination from universities and organizations that have published the program and those who have signed a cooperation agreement with SOU (The maximum number of scholarship awarded to students from one university will be 5). The nominating body must decide its own criteria for nomination. (3) applicants from developing countries and regions. (4) regional and gender balance. The names of those awarded scholarships will be announced on the 1st of July, 2015. Notification via email will be sent to all applicants. Acceptance Procedures After you submit an application, SOU will review your application materials. Once accepted, SOU will issue an Acceptance Letter and a Visa Application for Study in China (Form JW202). You must apply to your local People s Republic of China Embassy or Consulate for a visa. After your visa has been issued, be sure to bring all the above materials with you as they are required when applying for a residence permit after your arrival in China. Registration The student will bring the Acceptance Letter, Form JW202 and passport to register with SOU at the required time. Meanwhile, the student is required to pay the program fees. If the applicant cannot register as required because of some problems, she/he has to inform the Institute of International Exchange in advance. Those who are late without valid reasons will be disqualified from enrollment.
Completion of the Program A pre-graduation test on Chinese language will be given at the end of the program, and students who have passed the test will get a graduation certificate and a score report for the program. Key Dates Scholarship Announcement Date: 1 July 2015 Deadline for Online Application: 22 July 2015 Paying Program Fee at Early Bird Rate: Before 31 July 2015 Registration: 23 August 2015 Program Starts: 24 August 2015 Food & Accommodation (1) During the program, breakfast is usually included in the hotel room fee, and lunch is provided by SOU (on certain days dinner is also covered when an evening activity is organized). The students shall make their own arrangements for all other meals. If you have special dietary requirements, please inform the SOU Institute of International Exchange in advance. Program Highlights Well-balanced program design Improve your Mandarin Chinese proficiency in a short time Unique experience of Chinese culture Experience the lifestyle of China's most dynamic city Make friends from around the world Discover new strengths, conquer new challenges! Comments from Former Students: (2) SOU provides two accommodation options for international students; however, students can also make their own accommodation arrangement in Shanghai. For more accommodation details, please visit the website page http://iie.sou.edu.cn/?page_id=1205. This is the first international program I really like. The program is beyond my expectations. The program is true to its aim Immersion Hub. It opened my eyes to many things. I didn't know about China, and gave me the huge opportunity of meeting all the wonderful participants. I know new relationships will begin between myself and many of the participants. Thank you very much. I like the Chinese language class the most. I wanted to thank you all for a fantastic program; it was truly one of the best experiences of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed all the elements of the course and excursions and your hospitality was amazing. I know I speak on behalf of all the participants when I say it was a truly worthwhile experience we would all do again in a heartbeat! Important Notice (1) International students are strongly recommended to purchase travel insurance that covers their stay abroad before entering China. (2) For optional tours, students need to sign an agreement with the travel agency and purchase the required travel insurance on their own. Students shall be responsible for their own safety when they travel. (3) This program brochure will be printed in both English and Chinese- in case of discrepancies, the Chinese version will prevail. (4) The right of final interpretation is reserved to the Shanghai Open University (SOU).
Contact Information Institute of International Exchange Shanghai Open University Room 402, No.1 Building, 288 Guoshun Road, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China Tel: 86-21-25653006;86-21-25653412; Fax: 86-21-25653267 E-mail: iieoffice@sou.edu.cn Web Site: http://iie.sou.edu.cn