Yunnan, China

YUNNAN, CHINA

The Dickinson in China: Yunnan program offers students an opportunity to study Chinese language and culture at Yunnan University. The program is located in Kunming, a city with a mild climate in southwest China with rich cultural and ethnic diversity. The university was founded in April 1923 and is one of the earliest established universities in the area.

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Yunnan University was originally named “University of the Eastern Land” and offers 73 undergraduate programs. 


Yunnan, China

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

  • Language intensive program
  • Classes taught by Yunnan University faculty
  • Chinese roommate


ACADEMICS 

Dickinson’s Kunming program offers an intensive study of Chinese language, culture and society at Yunnan University. The program is open to students who have completed at least two years of college-level Mandarin. Courses at Yunnan University are conducted entirely in Chinese and the majority of students’ credits will come from language courses. During the semester students will take intensive language courses. 

ACADEMIC EXCURSIONS 

The program coordinator facilitates excursions for program participants during the semester. Participants also receive a stipend for cultural activities. At the end of the semester, students, along with a Dickinson faculty member, join the Dickinson in China – Beijing year-long students to take an excursion to a different region of China that complements the students’ study of Chinese language and culture. 

HOUSING AND MEALS 

Students live near campus with a Chinese roommate. Living with a Chinese roommate will enable students to practice language skills daily and provide a more enhanced experience of daily Chinese life. Students receive a board credit to cover food costs. Students can eat at local restaurants or at the campus cafeteria. 

STAFF 

Limei Yang serves at the program coordinator and helps facilitates housing options, some excursions, cultural activities, orientation, emergency management and on-going student support services. Dickinson partners with Yunnan University’s International Office to oversee the co-curricular student experience in Kunming. Dickinson supports all aspects of the academic program, academic advising, admission to Yunnan University and the visa process. Yunnan and Dickinson work closely together to ensure that students are well supported throughout their time in China. The on-campus coordinator is Na Ma, Assistant Professor of East Asian Studies. 

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TERM DATES 

Spring 

Spring: Early March to mid July. Applications are due by September 7. 

EXPECTATIONS 

2.8 GPA 

Students must complete at least two years of college-level Chinese prior to studying in Kunming. 

FACULTY DIRECTOR 

Limei Yang  
Program Coordinator 

The on-campus coordinator is Professor of East Asian Studies Na Ma.
mana@dickinson.edu

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“I got so much more out of my time in China than just a fluency in Mandarin and knowledge of Chinese culture. I became a jiaozi connoisseur, made friends from across the globe, and learned more about my personal strengths and weaknesses by navigating daily life in a culture previously unimaginable to me than I would have anywhere else. Living in China was definitely a highlight of my college experience.”

—Courtney Wojcik ’17 (international studies)

Dickinson Majors that are a good fit for Dickinson in China: Yunnan
  • Chinese 
  • East Asian Studies 

Don’t see your major? Connect with us. This program could still be a good fit for you. 

Non-Dickinson Student Information

This program is not currently open for non-Dickinson students. Check our list of available programs here.


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