The U.N. Chinese Language Programme has received a generous offer from Nanjing University and the National Office of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, China for UN staff members to study Chinese language and culture during the summer of 2004. Nanjing University is one of the best universities in China, enjoying an international reputation as a premier institution of higher learning.

This short-term program is the ideal opportunity for students who want to learn and improve their Chinese language skills, explore China, and experience Chinese culture firsthand. This program is both intensive and academically rigorous, while also trying to balance out the challenging coursework with interesting cultural and social activities. Studying Chinese language and culture in China, outside an American classroom, offers a unique experience. By exploring the country and interacting with local Chinese students and scholars, students gain valuable insight about the Chinese people and culture—an experience and knowledge that is possible only in China.

Program details are as follows:

Dates: Monday, July 18 to Friday, August 5, 2005
All the participants will be invited by the Chinese Government to attend the opening ceremony of the World Conference on Chinese on August 2, 2005 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Courses:
1. Language classes (conversation class and reading class)
2. Cultural classes (Chinese geography, history, politics, society, economy, international trade, foreign relations, traditional culture and customs, etc.), taught in English
3. Optional Taiji (taichi) class at request

Class Schedule: Classes are held Monday through Thursday with a total of 4 hours per day and 16 hours per week.
Accommodations: In foreign student building equipped with central air-conditioning, color TV, telephone, safe and bath.

Classrooms: Air-conditioned
Nanjing University’s offer covers tuition and accommodations.

Tours:
The university will organize two optional tours on the weekends:

1. First weekend: Suzhou (garden city and one of the two "paradises on earth" in China) and Zhouzhuang (a remarkably intact, 900-year-old Song Dynasty town) —three days.

2. Second weekend: Yellow Mountain (the most scenic and breathtaking mountain in China) —three days.
Optional tour charge: $60/day, which includes hotel room (double occupancy), meals, transportation, admissions and tips. The tour charge may vary depending on the travel route.

The university will also organize a half-day city tour of Nanjing each week free of charge.