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RENMIN UNIVERSITY Program Level: Undergraduate Number of Weeks/Term: 19 |
- Background
- Location Information
- Program Dates
- Host Institution
- Academic Information
- Academic Disciplines
- Credit Transfer Information
- Eligibility Requirements
- Program Costs
- Housing and Meals
- Insurance
- Extracurricular Activities
- Climate
- VISA & Passport Information
- Your Next Steps
- Experiences of Former Students
- Contact Details
BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.
LOCATION INFORMATION
China
With its entrance to the WTO, hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and hosting of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China is becoming an increasingly attractive place for citizens from all countries. With 1.3 billion people, China is the most populous country in the world, and its role in world affairs has become increasingly important. The Chinese economy continues to grow at a robust pace, and China is now considered a "must play" for multinational companies.
Beijing
Beijing, a metropolis in northern China, is the capital of the People's Republic of China (PRC). It was formerly known in English as Peking. Beijing is also one of the four municipalities of the PRC, which are equivalent to provinces in China's administrative structure. Beijing Municipality borders Hebei Province to the north, west, south, and for a small section in the east, and Tianjin Municipality to the southeast. It was also the seat of the Qing dynasty emperor until the formation of a republic in 1911, so it has rich historical sites, and important government institutions. The city is well known for its flatness and regular construction. There is only one hill to be found in the city limits (in Jingshan Park to the north of the famous Forbidden City). Like the configuration of the Forbidden City, Beijing has concentric "ring roads", which are actually rectangular, that go around the metropolis. The International Olympic Committee has decided that Beijing will serve as the host city for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, the Summer Olympic Games of 2008.
Beijing is China's second largest city in terms of population, after Shanghai. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways entering and leaving it in all directions. It is also the focal point of many international flights to China. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of the People's Republic of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields.
PROGRAM DATES
Spring Term: late February/early March - mid July
Academic Year: early September - mid July
NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the spring term or for a full academic year.
YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
2007
HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Renmin University of China (RUC), also known as the People's University of China), is a key university in China. RUC's strengths lie in the humanities and social sciences, however, the university also embraces disciplines in the area of natural sciences. The RUC is a comprehensive research-orientated university. At present, the RUC has a total enrollment of 22,300 students. This breaks down to 10,300 undergraduate students and 9,300 postgraduate students. International students account for 1,500 of the student body. The RUC offers bachelor's degrees in sixty areas and double degrees in eight areas. The RUC has ninety-nine Masters programs and sixty-six Ph.D. programs. The RUC ranks third among all the universities in China with respect to the number of disciplines. In a recent appraisal conducted by the Ministry of Education, five disciplines at the RUC ranked first among all the universities in China: Theoretical Economics; Applied Economics; Legal Studies; Sociology; and Journalism and Communication. The same appraisal also scored RUC's programs in Political Science, Management of Agricultural and Forestry Economics, History, and Business Administration very well.
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
Subject Areas Available:
- Chinese
- Economics
- History, Technology, and Society
- International Affairs
- Management
- Modern Languages
Language Information
Some classes in economics, finance, law, and political science are taught in English.
Students who would like to study intensive Chinese only during their term(s) at Renmin may enroll in the "School for Teaching Chinese as Foreign Language" (click here).
Participants should be fluent in Chinese if they want to enroll in lecture courses taught in Chinese. Students should score at least a level 6 on the HSK Chinese Language Proficiency Test. The test can be taken in 10 US cities, including Atlanta. In Atlanta, the test is administered at Kennesaw State University. It is given twice a year, usually in May and October. You must register in order to take the test. Please visit click here to learn more about the test and registration.
Atlanta HSK office:
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144
Phone: 7704236626
Fax: 7704204346
E-mail: rouyang@kennesaw.edu
Website: click here
Course Information
Course offerings are not announced until students arrive at Renmin at the beginning of their semester of study. Top
CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of exchange programs is received by transferring the credits back to Georgia Tech. Since it's important for you to know what kind of credit you'll get as soon as possible, you'll be able to have courses pre-approved to transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, you'll take course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit here at GT to request approval. For example, if you are taking Math classes, then you'll go to the School of Mathematics here at GT and ask if the courses can be transferred to GT. The School of Mathematics will sign the form showing how the courses will transfer so that you'll know up front what kind of credit you can expect to receive.
For detailed credit transfer instructions click here
For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here
CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
This information is intended for undergraduates students only. Graduate students must speak with their academic unit to to determine the acceptance of transfer credits.
Renmin uses the following credit transfer system:
Regular lecture courses:
1 Renmin credit = 1.52 GT credits
Intensive Chinese Language Program:
1 Renmin credit = 1.136 GT credits
GRADING SYSTEM
Renmin uses the following grading system listed below:
Renmin Grade = US Grade
90-100 (A) = A
80-89 (B) = B
70-79 (C) = C
60-69 (D) = D
0-59 (E, Failure) = F
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
PROGRAM COSTS
The same matriculation, tuition and other mandatory fees (including transportation, technology, activity, health, and athletic) apply to a term abroad as would normally at Georgia Tech. Exchange students must pay tuition and fees to the GT Bursar for each semester they are abroad. No other expenses associated with this program are paid to GT; instead, these expenses are paid on site.
Keep in mind the costs of books, health insurance, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and visa. Compared to GT, the cost of living and eating on campus is much less expensive than at GT. However, Beijing is generally more expensive than most areas of the United States. The cost of imported goods is especially high.
The currency in China is the Renminbi. Please see click here for current exchange rates.
DON"T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here
Following are cost estimates for one semester at Renmin that may help you prepare for your term(s) abroad. All costs are in USD.
In State Tuition $3,035 Out of State Tuition $3,285 GT Mandatory Fees $718 Books and Supplies $250 Administrative and/or Application fees $50 Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $800 Roundtrip Airfare $1,200 Room and Board $2,600 Additional Language Instruction $0 Mandatory Insurance $150 Total $8,803 (in state) $9,053(out of state)
*Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.
*Costs in the preceding chart are estimates for undergraduates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "continuing students." Guaranteed tuition rates, graduate tuition rates, and MBA tuition rates vary. Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Housing
On-campus dorms are available to international students. Buildings 1 & 2 include shared bathrooms on each floor, telephones, air conditioning, and internet service. Building 3 consists of single rooms, which include a bathroom, TV, telephone, air conditioning, internet access, and room cleaning service. Housing in Building 3 costs approximately three times as much as housing in Buildings 1 and 2. Alternatively, students may find off-campus housing on their own.
Meals
The International Student Office also houses the International Student Canteen. Students may use their Student ID as a dining card to pay for their meals at the international student canteen or at the various other dining halls on campus.
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INSURANCE
Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Every year the university organizes trips around China for international students. Sports activities and matches between Chinese and international students are organized by students clubs and associations. International students can also take part in some outdoor activities, such as "Seven Days in Beijing", a photography contest organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Beijing Municipality, the "Talent Show of International Friends", a once-a-year performance in Haidian District, Beijing, and the "New Year Evening for International Students in Beijing", sponsored by the Ministry of Education. Moreover, students from South Korea and Japan have set up their own sodalities to help improve the management of international students of the university. They also hold sports matches regularly to promote communication and cultural exchange between Chinese and international students.
CLIMATE
Beijing's climate is a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (Koppen climate classification Dwa), characterized by hot, humid summers due to the East Asian monsoon, and harshly cold, windy, dry winters that reflect the influence of the vast Siberian anticyclone. Average temperatures in January are at around -7 to -4 °C (19 to 24 °F), while average temperatures in July are at 25 to 26 °C (77 to 79 °F). Annual precipitation is over 600 mm (24 inches), with 75% of that in summer.
VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online: click here
You will need a valid passport and visa. For information regarding visas, click here.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:
EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
click here
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Jennifer Evanuik, Study Abroad Advisor (Exchange Programs)
GT Office of International Education
631 Cherry Street
Savant Building, Suite 211
Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
E-mail: jennifer.evanuik@oie.gatech.edu
OIE web site: click here
Host/Program Web Site: click here
Beijing
China
Asia
Semester
19
12
English/Chinese
For more info, contact OIE.
Can I go abroad while pursuing a GT degree?
GT students have many opportunities to participate in semester/exchange and study abroad programs. In a semester program, you actually take classes with the host universitys students and faculty. (In some cases, this means that you must have excellent knowledge of the local language to participate). Semester program participants usually pay normal GT tuition and fees for each term abroad. Credits can be pre-approved to transfer back to GT so that you do not get behind in your studies. The application deadline for fall and academic year programs is in early February; for spring programs the deadline is in September/October.
In a study abroad program, the courses are taught by GT faculty and you register for regular GT courses. Residents pay normal matriculation fees, but do not pay ancillary fees (athletic, health, etc.). Non-residents only pay resident matriculation plus $250 ($1500 for GTL Summer/$2000 for GTL Spring/Fall) . This is a savings of over $6,000 for out-of-state students who participate in GT study abroad programs as full-time students! Deadlines for summer study abroad programs vary from early January to mid-February.
In most cases, if you are eligible for financial aid or scholarships, you can apply your grants, scholarships, and/or loans toward the expenses associated with participating in all GT programs.
GTs International Plan: More than just study abroad
Your major is participating in this new initiative!
The International Plan is an intensive, degree-long program designed to prepare GT graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the 21st century. Requirements of the program include international coursework, two terms abroad (any combination of study, research or internship abroad), proficiency in a second language, and a culminating course. Students who complete the program will have a designation on their diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence: for example, BS in Mechanical Engineering: International Plan. For more information or an application, contact your major advisor or OIE and visit the website: click here