China

Discover China and get an in-depth view of the amazing history, culture, and society of this ancient civilization as it enters the 21st century!

The heart of the Orient, China has been fascinating her neighbors with her magnificent architecture and undeniable charm. For centuries it was isolated, intriguing the rest of the world with her serene traditions and rich customs. Today, China is a center of economic growth and welcomes you to her doors.

The Yangtze River (Chiangjiang) and the Yellow River (Huanghe), known as the birthplace of ancient Chinese civilization, have been windows to China's engaging past. Historical artifacts fill more than 50 museums in Beijing alone. People of China take pride in their  folk traditions, theatrical plays, and centuries-old art.

Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, is the epicenter of Chinese culture. Sharp contrast fills the city - strong monuments of China's Imperial past, meticulous gardens, and modern buildings reflecting the current economic boom. Located in the North, Beijing is home to 10 million people. Nowhere else can you get such a concentrated look into China's ancestral past and thriving future.   

Academic Program

Start your year in China with a two-day post arrival orientation and intensive four-week Chinese language and culture course. During this orientation, you will attend classes at one of the local high schools and stay with a host family. You will enjoy tours to cultural and historical sites in the area.

After completing the language program, you will move on to your permanent host family. You will be placed in grade 10 or 11, depending on your Chinese Ability, school report and entrance exam scores for your local host school. A local transportation allowance of RMB 50 per month is included in the program tuition. Students will be responsible to pay for personal spending money, school uniforms, textbooks, lunches, and additional Chinese language tutoring costs.  Students are also responsible for their medical expenses and insurance reimbursement claims.

During your one-week mid-year orientation and culture trip you will stay at a local hotel or with a host family and enjoy a cultural and historical tour of the area. Your year will be capped off with a re-entry orientation prior to your return to the US.

Please note:  Arrival travel may be to various destinations in China and students may not travel in a group. Please include a copy of your passport with your application.

To be eligible for a 2009 YFU year program to China students must have a birth date between August 30, 1991 and July 30, 1994.

13th Year Abroad
The traditional Academic Year program is also available as a 13th Year Abroad option. Learn more about other 13th Year Abroad Programs.

Summer Program

Discover China Beijing & Shanghai

Your adventure begins with an arrival orientation, where you will get an basic impression of China and the Chinese families.You'll experience the true Chinese daily life by living with your host families.It will be exciting and interesting to communicate with your host family members.

While staying in Beijing, you will spend the morning time in enjoying Chinese language and cultural classes, including language instruction, art, martial arts, and sports. And in the afternoons you will have free time or take part in the activities organized by YFU Greater China. It's a wonderful time for you to see places of interest in Beijing, such as the Great Wall and Summer Palace. Students will also have one full-day excursion each week.

After three weeks in Beijing, you will have the chance of traveling to Shanghai city for a five days' cultural tour. The famous sites may include People's Square, Shanghai Pudong New area, Binjiang Park, the Shanghai Museum, and the Yu Yuan Garden and Bazaar. You may have a wonderful night scene along Huangpu River and a good view of Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower.  There is another existing tour to the famous southern city-"Zhou Zhuang", where the typical river town architecture is catching. After the exciting cultural tour, students will return to the US from Shanghai directly.

Please understand that Summer to China programs are subject to cancellation if the minimum of 12 YFU students is not met.  YFU students include American applicants as well as all other international YFU applicants.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Program tuition does not cover the cost for school textbooks, uniforms, miscellaneous school fees, additional Chinese language tutoring (if desired), or personal spending money. 

Scholarships

Check out this scholarship to China:

• James Bradley Peace Foundation

A full list of scholarships and the scholarship application are available on our Scholarships page.

Online Resources

To learn more about China, we recommend:

• E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
• Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, language dictionaries, and many more country resources 
• Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites 
• Embassy of China in Washington, DC web site
• Beijing Official web site

"The friendships I formed... are worth more than all the money in the world, and my host father and I formed a bond that time will never break." - Derek Garcia

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: September 9, 2008