The Chinese Program at UW-Madison, offered through the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, strongly encourages you to expand your academic and cultural experience through participation in UW’s International Academic Programs (IAP). While such programs provide you with opportunities to gain a broader understanding of Chinese culture and history, more importantly, they provide most students with an opportunity to increase their fluency in Chinese language. Studying abroad offers you a unique opportunity to deepen your own sense of self-awareness and provides you with an in-depth cross-cultural experience.
As a Chinese major or Chinese Professional Communication certificate student, you can study abroad during almost any time in your college career, but there are some important facts to consider. The information below will help you plan your study abroad experience.
Prospective Chinese Language Students
Current and potential Chinese majors or Chinese Professional Communication certificate students should be aware of your major requirements as you are planning a study abroad experience. We recommend meeting with the ALC undergraduate advisor, Rachel Weiss, in advance to discuss your interest in study abroad, and plan courses accordingly. The ALC advisor can meet with students at any stage of the process. Schedule an advising appointment using Starfish. If you are currently studying abroad, email to request a meeting time that is more convenient for your time zone. You can also check out this page for more information on advising resources.
Here are some ways to get started:
- Attend our events, like a Study Abroad 101 information session and the annual Study Abroad Fair
- Work through the Introduction to Study Abroad non-credit Canvas course
- Schedule an Exploration Advising appointment
Once you understand the basics, take a deeper dive into your options and:
- Review study abroad programs through the Program Search
- Review signature internships through the Internships Search
- Talk with past participants through the Returned Student Network
- Schedule a Program Advising or Internship Advising appointment to discuss specific programs or internship opportunities
Many students study abroad multiple times in their academic career at UW-Madison; what courses you choose earlier in your major – or later in your major – will vary greatly. Students who are double majoring in another discipline have discovered that fulfilling their Asian studies electives while abroad is very helpful to completing their additional major.
Chinese Course Considerations Abroad
Chinese Language courses: programs abroad offer many levels and types of language courses. In most cases, you will have a placement test at the program/institution you attend—and will be placed into the recommended course. At UW, no matter what course you place into, you will get credit for the next course in your sequence of study, e.g., if you last studied 2nd Semester Chinese on campus, you will get 3rd Semester Chinese for the first language course you take abroad. You should not expect to complete the Business Chinese course abroad.
Chinese Studies courses: Most programs will offer you a wide variety of elementary and intermediate Chinese studies elective courses.
It is helpful to have a conversation with the academic advisor in ALC to consider courses that will count for your elementary and intermediate requirements for Chinese.
UW-Madison teaches courses in Standard Chinese (sometimes called Mandarin, Putonghua, or just “Chinese”). However, we offer programs in locations that speak other dialects of Chinese, and we encourage you to explore the linguistic and cultural diversity of the Chinese-speaking world! It’s important to consider which Chinese dialect will be taught in class and which dialect is most commonly used outside the classroom. In the mid-20th century, the simplified character set was introduced in mainland China as a way to promote literacy. However, the traditional character set is still used widely in some locations. The following chart is an overview to help you better understand the lay of the land. Be sure to review the details of your program of choice carefully.
| Mainland China | Taiwan | Hong Kong | Singapore | |
| Chinese Dialect Widely Spoken | Mandarin, Local Dialect (ex: Shanghainese in Shanghai) | Mandarin,
Taiwanese |
Cantonese | Mandarin |
| Chinese Dialect Taught in the Classroom | Mandarin | Mandarin | Mandarin,
Cantonese |
Mandarin |
| Character Set | Simplified | Traditional | Traditional | Simplified |
Language courses taught in Mandarin can count towards UW’s Chinese language course sequence. Language courses taught in Cantonese can receive ALC elective credit but can’t be applied to the main language course sequence.
Mapping Your Study Abroad Experience as a Chinese Major
Current and prospective majors should consult the recommended four-year planning guide for the Chinese major. You should be aware that this is only a suggested plan and there is flexibility in this plan. It is always best to meet with the academic advisor in ALC to develop a plan that is unique to you. We work hard to make study abroad a viable option for all students.
It is critical to know where you stand with your L&S General Education requirements prior to studying abroad. Make sure to review the pre-approved courses (those courses that have been approved by the department for other students in the major) for each institution. If you know you have required courses: either for the major or L&S, please consult the undergraduate advisor. Please keep in mind that it can be challenging to find QRA, QRB, Comm B, Ethnic Studies, and Natural Science courses in foreign institutions; these requirements are generally best completed at UW.
No matter when you study abroad, you should check in with your academic advisors once you arrive on-site and register for courses. We want to ensure that any changes or additions to course schedules keep you on track to graduate.
Freshman Year
At this point, most students are just beginning to explore their interest areas and find out where their skills and talents are best utilized. IAP hosts a number of open advising events and information sessions every semester, attend some of these events to begin exploring options, gathering information, and finding resources.
This is a good time to get a foundation in beginning level language courses, elementary courses on Chinese studies, and general education and breadth requirements. You may consider study abroad options for the summer after Freshman year!
Sophomore Year
By this point, many students are more comfortable identifying which majors or certificates fit their goals best. They are also developing a better sense of what it means to be fully engaged in a particular area of study. You will want to consider specific locations, length of programs, language of instruction, size of the college or university, academic rigor and course offerings, internship opportunities, and housing options. All of these factors contribute to determining the best fit for your educational expectations. You will also need to spend time with your academic advisors making certain the programs you are most interested in offer courses that keep you on track for completing your degree in four years.
Second-year students who study abroad should continue with intermediate-level language courses, intermediate courses on Chinese studies. Finding courses to meet humanities, literature, and social science courses abroad can also be helpful in completing L&S and major requirements.
Junior Year
The third year of college is the most popular time to go abroad; however, we want to encourage students to keep their options open. It is especially important that the timeframe and program selected fit the academic goals and plans for you, so you have the best experience possible.
Third year students who study abroad will continue with courses, intermediate-advanced language courses, and intermediate courses on Chinese studies. Finding courses to meet humanities, literature, and social science courses abroad can also be helpful in completing L&S and major requirements.
Senior Year
The final year of your college career can be an exciting time to go abroad. Most students have a very well-developed sense of themselves, their interest areas, strengths, and future career goals. Electing to go abroad at this point can solidify plans as well as allow for special experiences such as internships that play a part in career exploration. As an intern nearing graduation, students can be appealing candidates to hire. These experiences also lead to opportunities for networking and informational interviews. As a Chinese major, if you are considering study abroad during your senior year, you must plan to take the Advanced capstone course your junior year or discuss the option of a directed study with an ALC faculty member and the undergraduate advisor while abroad.
If you will be entering graduate school or starting a position that requires proof of your degree, keep in mind that when you receive your final grades can be greatly impacted by the dates of your spring term abroad. Some programs in Asia will not issue spring transcripts until September. Your degree will show that you graduated in May, but it will not be posted by UW-Madison until after IAP can record your study abroad courses and grades on your UW-Madison transcript.
You can request letters from the department or a Conferred Degree Report from the Registrar’s office to give evidence of progress towards your major and degree at UW-Madison.
Questions to Ask
Your Academic Advisor
- What courses must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
- Do I need to be on UW-Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
- How many electives do I have outside of my major [for LAS credits, IA credits, Degree credits]?
- How will the capstone course fit into my plans?
- How will the Business Chinese course fit into my study abroad plans [certificate students only]?
- Honors in the Major – how will I plan my senior honors thesis or other requirements?
Your Study Abroad Advisor
- What courses can I take abroad?
- How and when do I select courses for my program?
- When will I know course equivalents for my program?
- What is the course structure like abroad?
- What happens if the language course I place into feels too easy/too hard, what are my steps to change levels?
- What is the housing situation like: dorm, home-stay, apartment?
- Can I talk to a student who went on this program?
Identifying Programs That are Right for You
We encourage you to explore all programs offered by IAP and consider which program is the best fit for you. You might consider where the programs are located (city or rural), who would you live with (independently, dormitory, or local hosts), how much you want to be on a program with other UW-students—or—a mix of international students from universities world-wide. Of course, cost and timing are other major considerations for choosing the program that is right for you.
Below is a brief list of programs that have been most popular among Chinese majors. This is not an exhaustive list of all programs, so feel free to explore all your options with IAP and find the program that fits your interests best! Keep in mind that some programs do offer more non-Chinese specific courses than what you might find in the course equivalency listing, so be sure to check the subjects offered on a program for a more in-depth look. You are always free to work with IAP to submit syllabi for review in advance if you have specific course needs.
China
- Accelerated Chinese Language in Shanghai
- CIEE China in a Global Context in Shanghai (CGC)
- CIEE Shanghai Business, Language, and Culture (BLC)
These three programs are hosted at CIEE’s Shanghai Center at East China Normal University (ECNU). Each program track has a slightly different focus. Most of your credits on the Accelerated program will be Chinese language coursework, whereas CGC and BLC are more flexible and offer language coursework plus a wide variety of Chinese studies electives.
Hong Kong
- Chinese University of Hong Kong Exchange
Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. CUHK teachers and students hail from all corners of the world. CUHK’s stunning 134-hectare campus overlooking the scenic Tolo Harbour is the largest and greenest in Hong Kong. The university has numerous libraries, art museums, music halls, a swimming pool, sports fields, tennis courts, squash courts, a water sports center and gymnasium. Students will enroll at the university and take courses open to international students that are taught in English. - Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Exchange
Study science and technology with Chinese and international students at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)! HKUST is located directly on the beautiful Clear Water Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Founded in 1991, HKUST is a young, dynamic and internationally renowned research university. It is comprised of four Schools: Science, Engineering, Business and Management, and Humanities and Social Science. - University of Hong Kong Exchange
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is the oldest tertiary education institution in Hong, founded in 1910. It is widely considered one of the best universities in Asia. At HKU, you have the opportunity to take courses in a wide variety of subjects, engage with local students, and experience the incredible international culture of Hong Kong. The university’s main campus is in the Mid-Levels of Hong Kong Island, not far from Central.
Singapore
- Singapore: National University of Singapore Exchange
Enjoy quality education in a vibrant English-speaking university in the heart of Asia. English is widely spoken on campus, but you will also have a chance to be exposed to Chinese, Malay, Tamil, French and countless other languages spoken by the diverse student population. Take advantage of attending a comprehensive university with seven main participating faculties offering a wide variety of courses, including engineering and sciences, as well as Asian languages and culture.
Taiwan
- CET Taiwan
CET Taiwan gives you access to the best parts of study abroad—intensive language courses, internship opportunities in Chinese and English-speaking environments, and a location that balances life in a big city with quick getaways to nature. And with Taiwanese roommates that bring language and culture into your home life, it won’t be long before Taipei feels like your new home away from home. - National Taiwan University Exchange
Become immersed in the rich culture and history of Taiwan while studying at National Taiwan University (NTU). This program allows participants to directly enroll in university courses in a variety of fields while studying alongside Taiwanese and international students from around the world. This program is ideal for students from a variety of majors who are interested in Taiwanese culture while taking coursework in either English or Chinese.
Search All Programs
Research all programs using the Program Search page. The above is not an exhaustive list of all programs that offer Chinese courses. There may be other programs that are a better fit for your individual needs or interests.