Belmont University Asian Studies
Study Abroad in China

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why should I choose China for my study abroad experience?

China is the fastest growing economy in the world, the most populated country in the world, the oldest continuous civilization in the world, and over 250 million people in China (roughly the population of the U.S.) speak English. English is required in all schools from the 3^rd grade through the completion of college. You will see things that you've never dreamed of before (from the Great Wall, to the terracotta army of Qinshihuang, to the great business street of the Bund in Shanghai).

Question: Is China safe and politically free enough for me to enjoy my study and feel secure?

In today's world when we read about terrorist threats everywhere, we never hear of this happening in China. China is the safest place for college students to travel and study in the world. We will enjoy identical travel and access privileges in China to those you have in the U.S. China is NOT a police state. China is NOT a repressive autocratic government. You can go to any internet cafe or use the internet access in our hotel and contact Amnesty International, the New York Times, the CIA, the U.S. State Department, Human Rights Watch, etc.

We often have our students comment about how safe they feel walking the streets in China. Especially our female students notice the modesty in dress and the respect given to women.

Question: But what about the bird flu and other health issues we hear about in China and Asia?

The trip faculty monitor World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) country reports for China and East Asia in general. They are watching carefully all avian influenza reports and any SARS occurrences as well. As of December 14, 2005, the WHO reported 5 cases of avian influenza in China with 2 deaths. All of these cases have been reported in rural areas and the Chinese government took swift action to destroy poultry suspected of carrying avian influenza. The Chinese Ministry of Health learned a valuable lesson from the SARS outbreak in 2003. They learned that it is much preferable to cooperate with global health organizations, report all cases, and participate in control of medical hazards than it is to underplay them.

Belmont has a consistently strong record of responsible management of its student travel studies and its students studying oversees. You can be confident that your health and best interest is always the prime goal of Belmont University.

We recommend that you have a current tetanus vaccination, and you may choose to have an up to date Hepatitis A and B vaccine.

Question: How much experience do the supervising faculty members have, and have they ever been to China before?

There are four faculty members leading this trip.

Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn has traveled to China every year since 1998. He has taken almost 100 students to China and he does research in China, staying for extended periods of 8 to 12 weeks at a time. He speaks Mandarin and has even taught at Chinese universities. He has traveled all over China from rural areas in the south to the great cities of Beijing and Shanghai.

Dr. David Moser, a former Fulbright recipient for his work in intellectual property rights in the Asia-Pacific theater, he has a great deal of experience living and studying abroad. He will bring many strengths to our experience.

Prof. Li Qingjun (Joan Li) is an Associate Professor of Foreign Languages at Zhengzhou University in central China. Her home is Zhengzhou, Henan province, one of the cities we will visit. She has taught English for over fifteen years and is completing a Ph.D. in English at the Middle Tennessee State University. She will be with us throughout our trip.

Dr. Seraphine Shen-Miller is joining our faculty as well, and we are quite pleased. this will be Dr. Shen-Miller's first time to join a Belmont travel study to China.

Question: What are the costs of the trip?

We encourage you to compare the costs of your travel study to China with what it would cost to study at Belmont for six (6) semester hours in the summer. We do this because the University provides what amounts to a 2/3 tuition scholarship to help you study abroad. So, please see the table below.

Question: Where can I see the brochure and the itinerary?

(link to brochure)

Question: If I want to go, what's my next step?

Go to the International Education Office and pick up the material for the Tibet & China: Inside and Out Summer Study Abroad. Be sure to get a study abroad scholarship application.

Question: If I still have questions, or if my parents want to talk to one of the trip faculty, what do I do?

You can contact us through e-mail as shown below:

ronnie.littlejohn@belmont.edu

david.moser@belmont.edu

Joanli2000@yahoo.com

seraphine.shen-miller@belmont.edu

Or, you or your parents can call Dr. Littlejohn or Dr. Moser

Littlejohn: Office: 615-460-6494

Moser: Office: 615-460-5439