International Education
O'Dowd Hall, Room 328
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester,
MI
48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2889
ie@oakland.edu
Office hours
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Virtual advising hours
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m.
Alex Zimmerman, Director
(248) 370-2843
azimmerman@oakland.edu
Where You
Will Be
Will Be
Students will mainly stay and study in Beijing at the China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU), the only tertiary-level school supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. CFAU is long responsible for training China’s professional foreign service personnel, and those seeking careers in international affairs, international business, and international law.
The CFAU campus is home to some 2,000 Chinese students ensconced in a quiet, easily negotiated, modestly-sized compound set in the heart of the western quarter of Beijing. The elaborate Beijing subway system, affording gateway access to the far reaches of the city of some 20 million, is within walking distance of campus.
Nearby, are an array of restaurants, shops, tea houses, parks, and neighborhoods.
The CFAU campus is home to some 2,000 Chinese students ensconced in a quiet, easily negotiated, modestly-sized compound set in the heart of the western quarter of Beijing. The elaborate Beijing subway system, affording gateway access to the far reaches of the city of some 20 million, is within walking distance of campus.
Nearby, are an array of restaurants, shops, tea houses, parks, and neighborhoods.
What you
will do
and learn
will do
and learn
What you will do
Beijing is a virtual treasure trove of ancient, classical, and modern Chinese landmarks and artifacts.During the four-week study stay in the capital, students will take weekend excursions to such sites as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, the Ancient Observatory, Confucius and Lama Temples, Ming Tombs, Mao Zedong’s Mausoleum, Great Hall of the People, National Museum of China, pre-revolution alleyways and courtyard houses, Han and Tibetan restaurants and the traditional shops of Liulichang Street, among other attractions.
In addition, a train trip is made to the ancient city of Xi’an to view the famed museum of terra-cotta warriors and horses of China’s Qin dynasty. The final week involves travel to more distant destinations to the south of Beijing, as selected by the accompanying instructor. These have included, Shanghai, the former imperial capitals Nanjing and Hangzhou, the canal city of Suzhou, and rustic Guilin and Yangshuo.
What you will learn
Students will study Chinese language, culture, history, and contemporary affairs, taught by China Foreign Affairs University faculty and receive Oakland University credits.The curriculum includes ability-specific language instruction in Chinese conversation, reading and writing. Lessons on China’s political system, history, foreign policy and international relations, nationalities and religions, economy, culture, and etiquette are also provided. Instruction includes hands-on sessions in Chinese calligraphy and Taijiquan (shadow-boxing).
Students may also conduct a research project overseen by the accompanying Oakland instructor. Participants are permitted and expected to attend all the courses, but may select which offerings to take for Oakland credits.
