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Chinese Education Abroad Guide

China Guide

Quick Facts

  • CHIN majors typically go abroad junior year
  • Chinese language learners typically go abroad after they have completed CHIN 2110 and 2120. 
  • The most common degree requirements taken abroad are upper-division CHIN electives, certain Gen Ed classes, and general elective hours
  • Use the Course Approvals List to find programs that offer courses approved for the credit you need
CU Boulder Education Abroad offers over 400 programs in over 70 countries! You can go abroad for a semester, year, 2-12 weeks in the summer, or even winter break. Going abroad is strongly encouraged by the Asian Languages and Civilizations Department. Use the following information as a general guideline to plan your time abroad, and connect with your academic advisor as well. Work with Education Abroad advisors to get more details on how to get started, discuss your program options, and next steps. 

 

Planning and When to Go

  • First-year: Start progression with the Chinese language sequence courses as soon as you can. 
  • Sophomore: Continue with your language progression and take the A&S Gen Ed courses that are more difficult to fulfill abroad. 
  • Junior: Go abroad! Going abroad during your junior year allows you plenty of variety in your choices of classes. Plan what courses CHIN/ A&S Gen Eds you will have left upon return to CU Boulder
  • Senior: Work closely with your advisor to ensure that you can get all of your requirements completed.
    Be sure that you know when the credits may be transcripted, as this can delay your official graduation date.

What Kind of Credit Can You Earn Abroad?

Usually Doable Tricky Probably Not
General Electives  A&S Gen Ed CHIN A&S Gen Ed CHIN A&S Gen Ed CHIN
Overall credit hours  Arts and Humanities, Natural Science (Non-Lab), Social Sciences Upper-division CHIN electives, 2000- and 3000-level language, 
IAFS Asian geographical concentration area		 Global Diversity CHIN 3110, CHIN 3120* Natural Science (Lab), Written Communication Other CHIN language direct equivalencies*

General Advice for Chinese Language Students Going Abroad

  • While abroad, it's important that you focus on all four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in order to be successful upon return. 
  • Remember that 3rd-year CU Boulder students must be able to read both simplified and traditional characters. 
     

Suggested Programs

Use these links to find programs that may be a good match for you and your course needs.
 
  • Show me the short list, I need CHIN credit: Suggested programs for CHIN
    • Students interested in taking language classes abroad should choose a program from the list above. If you participate in a program not on the Chinese department's recommended list, you will not progress with your language coursework. The Chinese department does not pre-approve Chinese language classes. However, if you place into the appropriate language level classes while abroad (and pass them) you'll likely progress to the next level in your language studies. Talk to your Chinese departmental advisor for more information.
  • I want a lot of program options, but really want CHIN credit: Programs where CHIN courses are offered
  • I am not concerned with getting CHIN credit and want to see all of my options: Program search for all programs
 

Additional Resources

Last Updated March 2023