Saint Louis University has a study abroad program in Beijing?

Yes, it is true. SLU students have a golden opportunity to study in one of the largest and greatest cities of the world. Yet most students remain unaware of this option and the opportunities it provides.

The SLU-China program is run through The Beijing Center, an organization formed by 24 Jesuit schools across the country. The undergraduate study-abroad program first began for SLU students in the spring of 1999.

Students are selected from all of the participating universities, though SLU has been a major contributor to the program, sending many students and faculty. In the first semester, four out of the accepted 12 students came from SLU. This semester, a total of 30 students are in the rapidly growing program. Fr. Ron Anton, S.J., a SLU Jesuit, heads the program.

“Jesuit universities speak frequently of their commitment to educating the whole person,” said Neil Seitz, Dean of the School of Business and Administration at SLU and chairperson of the Beijing Center’s advisory board.

“This program turns those statements into action. Students experience life not just in a different culture, but in a dramatically different culture. They come back with a changed perspective on the world that will not be created from classroom study alone.”

The Beijing Center curriculum involves language study, culture study, immersion experience, and excursions.

Language study involves two courses that focus on speaking and writing Chinese. No previous knowledge of Chinese is necessary, since all of the Beijing Center faculty members are fluent in English. A student tutor provides assistance one hour nightly language study.

Culture study involves other courses such as Chinese History, Chinese Philosophy, Chinese Culture and Society, Chinese Politics and Government, Modern Chinese Literature, and many others. There is even a class on Wu Shu, also known as the martial art of Tai Chi.

In addition to the culture and language courses, a variety of business and economic courses are offered, as the program specializes in international business and marketing. The Beijing Center plans to provide additional courses for other majors, such as political science and communication.

Erica Armbruster, senior and marketing major, went to China in the Spring 1999 semester. She said, “I like the fact that my biggest class was only five people. We got a lot of attention that way. The teachers I had were very impressive. For example, Professor He Fangchuang, my history professor, was the vice president for Peking University. It was his school that President Clinton visited when he went to China last year. He was in charge of showing Hilary Clinton around. So these teachers were pretty high up and had a lot of experience. It was kind of amazing that they were teaching us.”

Rob Barquero, graduate in Political Science, History, and International Studies, recalls, “If someone was sick in [his or her] dorm, the teacher would visit and make sure [he or she was] okay.”

The third aspect of studying in China is the immersion experience. This includes living in a residence hall on Peking University campus and interacting with the students there.

Also, a language tutor is provided as well as a host student. In addition, a host family is provided in order to help the student understand more about everyday Chinese life.

Finally, the excursions are an integral part of the educational experience in China.

Students witness more of China than many Chinese do in these country-crisscrossing trips. Such sites as the Silk Road, the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and various mountain locations are seen in a month of exploration.

Barquero said, “I learned about the Forbidden City. I read several accounts on it, but when I was walking through it, I literally had goosebumps. I felt like I was walking in the footsteps of the emperors from the last 2000 years.”

Armbruster compared her experience in Beijing with the semester she spent in Madrid.

“In Spain, all you had were weekends to get away. You could only see so much, and you had to make all the plans on your own. In China, they understand that you’re not there to sit in Beijing and sit in class all day.”

Beijing, though one of the largest cities in the world, is remarkably safe.

“Regardless of the city I was in, I could walk by myself at night-no crime,” Barquero said. “I could walk everywhere and anywhere I wanted, and get around easily. The most terrifying experience in Beijing was riding my bicycle through a traffic jam. You only have two inches to your right and to your left to wobble.”

Jana Trubacik, a business graduate who went to China in Spring 1999, works in the International Business department of UPS. She said, “My experience in China has helped me in my current job. I work with international customers everyday. It has definitely opened my eyes to a different world that I had never really known about before.”

Those students who are interested in the SLU-China program may get in contact with Fr. Ralph Renner, S.J., through email, at [email protected].