| General Questions |
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| 1. Why should I travel to China? |
| China is an up-and-coming world leader, and its notable position in global politics today makes it both fascinating for study and important for the future. Full of history and culture, China claims to be the world's oldest contiguous civilization. There are great sightseeing and travel destinations, and the art scene is quickly becoming a front runner on the world stage. More people in the world speak Chinese as a native language than any other. |
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| 2. Why should I choose BRIC's China program? What makes BRIC unique? |
| BRIC is unique because we have a partnership with Peking University - widely considered "the Harvard of China" - as well as with the Chinese government. What does this mean for you? You will receive top-notch instruction from an extremely prestigious university, with no worries about your visa. (Many foreigners have trouble procuring legal work visas and some even get deported.) Additionally, we have internship opportunities in many fields, not just teaching English - although you can certainly teach English if you want! |
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| 3. How will I be benefited from my experience in China with BRIC? |
| BRIC's China programs are an enriching experience. Our curriculum will help you discover China's rich history and culture as well as feel comfortable in your language skills. You will enhance your employability - companies are clamoring to hire people with international experience, and experience in China especially. Speakers of Chinese are in high demand. And, you will have lots of fun! |
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| Admission Requirements |
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| 1. What is the minimum age requirement for programs? |
| You must be at least 17 to participate in our program. |
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| 2. Do I need work experience to be admitted to the program? |
| No, no prior work experience is required for participating in the program. |
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| 3. What are the deadlines for admission? |
| Your application must be submitted 10 days before the start of the program. |
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| 4. Is there any financial aid available? |
Yes. BRIC Rehoboth provides scholarship for qualified students. For more details, please contact
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| 5. Must I hold a certain degree to apply to the program? |
| No, there are no degree requirements for participation in the program. |
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| 6. Can I participate in the programs if I haven’t declared my major yet? |
| Yes, you can. And our program is beneficial for students of many disciplines, as we offer general Chinese language and culture study. |
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| 7. Do I need to take an entry test/exam? |
| No, there is no entry exam required. However, you will need to provide your high school and/or college transcript and participate in a phone interview. |
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| 8. Do I need to pass any exams at the end of the program? |
| No. |
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| 9. Are there any requirements on my GPA for participation in the programs? |
| No. |
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| 10. If I want to apply for more than one program, do I have to send in multiple applications? |
| Yes. |
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| 11. Do I need to get my program pre-approved by my university? |
| No. |
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| Programs |
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| 1. How will I choose the program that is right for me? |
| Do you want to have some exposure to China? Consider the China Discovery Program, which includes 4 weeks of classroom study and a week of travel. If you are interested in a slightly longer experience, consider the China Exploration Program, which is an 8 week curriculum with a week of travel. If you aim to get an in-depth understanding of China as well as working experience, we recommend the China Facilitation Program, which includes a 1-year internship in addition to 8 weeks of study and a week of travel. |
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| 2. What kinds of courses are available in the program? |
| We hold comprehensive Chinese language & culture courses, including classroom lessons and outdoor activities. A sample of classes includes: Listening and Speaking Standard Mandarin, The Culture of Chinese Characters, Traditional Chinese Painting, Brief History of China/ 30 years’ Economic, Democratic and Political Reform, Movie and Chinese Traditional Music appreciation, Tai Chi, and Chinese Folk Dance. |
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| 3. How many hours a day are the lessons? |
| There are approximately three hours of lessons in the morning, two hours of elective classes such as Tai Chi or group discussion in the afternoon, and an hour and a half of interactive social activities in the evening. |
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| 4. Can a student be an absolute beginner on Chinese language? |
| Yes, our classes start from level-0. |
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| 5. Do I have class options or do I have to follow the program’s choice? |
| All participants must follow the program schedule. However, you will have plenty of free time to explore what interests you. |
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| 6. What types of cultural activities or excursion will be scheduled throughout my stay? |
| BRIC has scheduled a number of cultural activities. You will be able to take classes like Calligraphy Regular Script, Famous Chinese Painters, Movie Appreciation, Chinese Folk Dance, Traditional Chinese Painting, Chinese Chess, and even Chinese Yo-Yo! There are also regularly scheduled excursions to locations of interest in and around Beijing, such as the Great Wall and Ming Tombs, Olympic Village, CCTV Tower, Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, Qianmen Hutongs, and more! |
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| 7. Will I receive credits for participating in your programs? Will my credits transfer? |
| No, our program is not for credit - but you will gain invaluable experience! |
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| 8. Can I take courses in my major through your program? |
| No, our courses do not transfer to a degree at your university. However, much of the content of our courses will be helpful to you toward a number of different fields of study. |
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| 9. Will I be awarded any diploma or certificate for participating in those programs? |
| Yes. You will be awarded a certificate of completion from Peking University, but not a diploma. |
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| Accommodation |
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| 1. How will I choose the program that is right for me? |
| You will share a dorm room with a private bathroom with one other student. |
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| 2. Where will I eat my meals? Will I have a kitchen available to cook? |
| We arrange Chinese meals in school. There is no kitchen available to cook. |
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| 3. What kinds of computing/internet facilities are available? |
| Internet access is available, but you may need to provide your own cable. |
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| 4. Should I bring my laptop from home? |
| Yes. Computers are available for use at the school and at many internet cafes around the city, but we strongly recommend you bring yours if you have one. There are many Wifi hotspots in Beijing and it is very convenient to have a computer you are comfortable using (don't forget - all the computers in Beijing are in Chinese!). |
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| Arrival |
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| 1. Will I be picked up at the airport upon arrival? Can I arrive late or early? |
| No, you cannot arrive late or early. All students will need to attend pre-departure orientation, and leave on the same flight to China from San Jose, CA. Rehoboth will arrange airport pick-up in Beijing. |
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| 2. Who will help me get acclimated to my new surroundings? |
| Rehoboth's Residential Directors in China will be available to help you adjust to life in China. More details will be available during pre-departure orientation. |
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| 3. Can I leave the program a day early? |
| No. |
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| 4. Will I be taken to the airport upon departure from China? |
| Yes. |
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| Expenses |
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| 1. What is included in the program cost? What is not included? |
The program fees include:
• China visa application
• Room and board Immersive
• Mandarin learning and classroom instruction
• On-site airport meet-and-greet
• An English-speaking coordinator and guide
• Comprehensive health, accidental death and travel insurance with 24 hour assistance
• 2 short field trips and excursions
Depending on which program you choose, a 1 week Chinese cultures discovery/China ancient cities tour to Xi’an, Taiyuan/Tatung/Pingyao, Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Shaolin Temple may be included, as well as round trip airfare.
Meals and personal expenses are not included in the program fee. |
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| 2. Do I have to pay for laundry and room cleaning services? |
| Yes, you must cover all personal expenses. |
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| 3. Besides program package cost, do I need to cover any other expenses? |
| You will need to pay for your own meals and personal expenses. |
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| 4. How much money will I receive as a stipend? Will that be enough to live on? |
| You will receive $600/month, which is considerably more than a recent college graduate typically makes. You will be able to live comfortably (and don't forget your room and board are taken care of by BRIC). |
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| 5. I have student loans and I can't afford to work for only a stipend. What can I do? |
| We are able to defer student loans, just as any other academic institution could. Additionally, our programs qualify for student loans. |
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| 6. If I withdraw from the program, what kind of refund will I receive? |
| It depends on when you withdraw. Email us for more details. |
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| Daily Life |
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| 1. I don't speak Chinese (yet). Will I be able to survive in China? |
No problem. We will help you to learn and most young people in China ca speak at least some English. |
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| 2. What is the weather like in Beijing? |
| You can expect hot, humid summers, cool, beautiful fall, cold winters, and windy springs. |
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| 3. What is the food like? Can I find American food in China? |
| Chinese food is very delicious to most westerners, and there is a great deal of variety in styles and ingredients. There are also many western-style restaurants. |
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| 4. What kind of clothing should I bring, and how much? |
| Bring your "normal clothes" - Chinese youth dress conservatively but fashionably. Bring good shoes, as western sizes are sometimes difficult to find. Bring fewer rather than more clothes, as it is fairly cheap to buy clothes in China. |
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| 5. What is there to do for fun in Beijing? |
| Beijing is an international, modern city with lots of shopping, restaurants, and bars. History is everywhere in the city, and beyond the famous Forbidden City there are countless temples, cemeteries, towers, and alleyways to explore (while stopping at every street food vendor along the way!). There is a lively foreign district and the 2008 Olympic park. Public transportation is excellent and extremely inexpensive. |
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| 6. What are normal living expenses in China? How much money should I expect to spend? |
| Living in Beijing is relatively more expensive than in other Chinese cities. Our Chinese team estimates you may spend between $350 to $700 a month, but an American team member has lived comfortably on $100 a month. We recommend that you don't bring too much cash as it is convenient to exchange money in Beijing. |
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| 7. Should I bring cash? Will my credit/debit cards work in China? |
| Bring only a little cash (perhaps just what you would feel comfortable with in case of an emergency on the way), as many ATMs accept foreign debit cards and it is easy to get cash once you arrive. Few places in China take credit cards. |
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| 8. Are there any American banks with branches in China? Can I open a bank account when I arrive in Beijing? |
| One option is Citibank; there are lots of branches in America and at least 1 in Beijing. This way you can withdraw money without paying an ATM fee. You can also open an account in a Chinese bank. |
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| 9. Are there any special safety concerns I should be aware of? |
| China is, on the whole, a very safe country, and people are friendly to foreigners. |
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