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TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY Program Level: Undergraduate Number of Weeks/Term: 18 |
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- 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 - late June
Academic Year: late August - late June
NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the spring term or for a full academic year.
YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
2008
HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Tsinghua University was established in 1911, originally under the name Tsinghua Xuetang. The name National Tsinghua University was adopted in 1928. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the University was molded into a polytechnic institute focusing on engineering in the nationwide restructuring of universities and colleges undertaken in 1952. In November 1952, Mr. Jiang Nanxiang became the President of the University. He made significant contributions in leading Tsinghua to become the national center for training engineers and scientists with both professional proficiency and personal integrity. Since China opened up to the world in 1978, Tsinghua University has developed at a breathtaking pace into a comprehensive research university. At present, the university has 13 schools and 55 departments with faculties in science, engineering, humanities, law, medicine, history, philosophy, economics, management, education and art. The University now has 32,000 full time students including 13,700 undergraduates, 13,400 Master's candidates and 5,000 doctoral candidates. As one of Chinas most renowned universities, Tsinghua has become an important institution for fostering talent and scientific research.
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
Subject Areas Available:
- Accounting
- Architecture
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Building Construction
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- History, Technology, and Society
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Industrial Design
- International Affairs
- Management
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Modern Languages
- Philosophy, Science, and Technology
- Physics
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Sociology
Language Information
Most courses at Tsinghua are taught in Chinese. Exchange students are allowed to enroll in Chinese-taught courses if they qualify. About 80 courses each semester are taught in English.
Course Information
For course information, click here, then click "List of Courses". 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.
Tsinghua uses the following credit transfer system:
1 Tsinghua credit = 1.28 GT credit
GRADING SYSTEM
Tsinghua uses the following grading system listed below:
Tsinghua Grade = US Grade
90-100 (Excellent) = A
80-89 (Very Good) = B
70-79 (Good) = C
60-69 (Pass) = D
0-59 (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 Tsinghua 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 $818 Books and Supplies $250 Administrative and/or Application fees $0 Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $800 Roundtrip Airfare $1,200 Room and Board $2,700 Additional Language Instruction $0 Mandatory Insurance $150 Total $8,953 (in state) $9,203 (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
There are three types of rooms available in the international student dormitory: single rooms (private bathroom), AB double rooms (shared bathroom), and double rooms (public bathroom). All room types include air conditioning, telephone, color TV, and internet access. The dorm is located in the Zijing Apartment District and is close to local student housing, cafeterias, banks, a post office, and supermaket. The reception desk is open 24 hours and is experienced in dealing with foreign students.
Meals
Once you arrive at the university, you can apply for a Dining Card in the Food & Beverage Service Center with your Admission Notice or an introduction letter issued by FSAO. The card is rechargeable and is the only form of payment accepted at most student cafeterias. Only a few cafeterias accept cash, but these are close to the student housing. The students cafeteria is open 6:30-9:00 for breakfast, 11:00-1:00 for lunch and
5:00-7:00 for supper. Some also serve food at night before 10:00.
If you don't want to eat in the cafeterias, you can buy food in the student supermarket, which stays open until 11:00. A microwave oven is available for heating food. Several supermarkets can be found on campus, such as the Zijing Student Supermarket on the underground floor of the Student Service Center, Zijing Supermarket in the Dining Plaza, and the Student Supermarket between No.7 and No.8 student dormitories. Top
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
Tsinghua's on campus sports facilities include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a comprehensive gym, and courts for tennis, badminton, and basketball. International students are encouraged to participate in various extracurricular activities and join the student associations of the University. Tsinghua University has more than 100 student associations covering five domains: science and technology, physical training, humanities, arts and public welfare. In addition, FSAO (Foreign Student Affairs Office) organizes extracurricular activities for international students, including a welcome party for new students, New Year's party, graduation party, visits to Chinese cultural and historical destinations, and sports competitions.
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
18
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