University of South Florida: Qingdao - Chinese Learning in the Culture, Tier II

This 10-week summer program in Qingdao, China provides unparalleled language training through coursework, active community engagement, and a 7-week industry-specific internship. The program develops participants’ productive skills in Chinese formal contexts and prepares them linguistically and culturally to be successful in a subsequent internship experience.

The advanced language program offers intensive Chinese language instruction in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture. Particular emphasis is placed on developing appropriate cultural behavior, abilities to perform effectively in frequently encountered cultural contexts, and interpersonal communicative skills. The program utilizes USF's community-based learning approach that requires participants to interact with locals in the Qingdao area in meaningful ways. Instruction is in Mandarin Chinese.   In addition to the academic courses, students will be placed in a Chinese organization that aligns with their academic interest, e.g. those students who are business majors may be placed in a Chinese enterprise, those in the health care fields could be placed in an organization focusing on health issues.  Thus, students will gain a vocabulary and a cultural understanding in a field that builds upon their area of expertise and study in the U.S.