In the last few years, an increasing number of students are going to China on a study abroad trip. They travel for a summer to learn the language or for an academic semester or year to understand more about China and its society. Others make an educational investment to increase their chances in future business ventures.

In order to be sure that their time will be safely invested in the best manner, students typically choose educational agencies that assist them in the registration to Chinese universities. These agencies also accompany them throughout their stay offering them all kind of basic and recreational services. One of the leading agencies is Confucius Programs, who has operated since 2003 for the most prestigious universities in Beijing.

We interviewed Mauro Landau, who is in charge of the international relations with upcoming students at Confucius Programs. Here's what he had to say...

WE: Hi Mauro, first of all, why should one want to go to China to learn Chinese?

ML: Hi there! Like our director, Jan van der Putten, one of the leading European experts on China, always says: ““The sleeping giant has awoken. So go to China and learn the giant's language and culture.”

WE: Is it possible to learn Chinese in such a short time?

ML: I was myself a student at Peking University and I saw with my own eyes how people from all around the world came speaking zero Chinese whatsoever and in a few months they were surprisingly getting around quite fluently. Talking Chinese goes quite fast. Writing and reading is a bigger challenge but, plenty have made the effort and there are already thousands of non-native Chinese speakers who can testify that it is not impossible to learn Chinese as the myth says it is.

WE: Is it true that each Chinese character is a word?

ML: Correct. In Chinese, every word has one own unique written symbol, referred to as a 'character'. Unlike most languages in the world, Chinese does not have an alphabet. This different approach to written language does not make it more difficult per se, but just different, and sometimes even easy to remember. Characters are made of strokes. There is a classification of strokes which combined together make up one character. When you learn the internal composition of each character, you will discover a very solid internal logic. They are not confused drawings but extremely well-thought and logic symbols.

But if there is no alphabet, how can you read?

Students of Chinese language use a transliteration of Chinese words into the Latin alphabet: this is the phonetic system known as pinyin. That makes Chinese much more easier to learn. Thanks to the pinyin you can easily learn and remember the meaning and pronunciation of a character. After a short time, you will not need the pinyin anymore.

WE: Is Chinese difficult to learn?

ML: As I already said before, learning Chinese is a fascinating challenge. Your success depends on the amount of dedication and effort you put in. You will be surprised how fast you can start making sentences due to its uncomplicated grammar. Give it a try and you will be able to answer this question by yourself.

WE: What kind of programs do you offer at Confucius Programs?

ML: Our programs consist of short-term, mid-term, long-term, undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Mandarin Language, Business, Modern China Studies, and Chinese Culture Studies.

WE: Which universities do you work with?

ML: We send students to the most prestigious universities of Beijing, the capital of China. In total, we have picked the 9 best places for foreign students to learn Chinese.

•  Institute of Chinese Studies  (ICS)

•  Beijing Language and Culture University  (BLCU)

•  Beijing Taipei Language Institute  (BTLI)

•  Communication University of China  (CUC)

•  University of International Business and Economics  (UIBE)

•  Beijing Foreign Studies University  (BFSU)

•  Peking University  (Beida)

•  Tsinghua University  (Qinghua)

•  Beijing Sports University  (BSU)

WE: Are there any possibilities to combine language courses with some optional classes?

ML: Studying with Confucius Programs means that you can combine language, business, economics, history, philosophy, Chinese medicine and much more. We believe in integrating language and culture. Learning Chinese and Chinese civilization means acquiring the necessary language skills as well as drawing out knowledge about Chinese culture, its current economic and social changes and traditional Chinese manners and living styles. Confucius Programs offers you a unique chance to combine in different integrated programs many facets of the whole spectrum of Chinese society.

WE: Why should people choose Confucius Programs?

ML: We are specialized in Study Abroad Programs to China since 2003. Our partner universities are the leading Chinese universities. We simplify your registration process for any duration at any time. Our educational coordinators, well-being and accommodation officers in Beijing provide caring, prompt and professional assistance. Comparing to other agencies, we offer our services at extremely competitive rates.

WE: Do you offer some special services?

ML: In order to make your stay in China a complete success, we highly recommend students:

•    to be picked up at the airport

•    to receive ongoing phone support for daily and study matters

•    to participate in different Beijing City Tours

•    to visit the Great Wall

•    to receive personalized business cards in Chinese and English

•    to be covered by SOS International insurance (which includes helicopter evacuation from all China)

WE: What do your former students say about their experience?

ML: I quote from our testimonial page on our website:

'Confucius Programs offered me exactly what I was looking for in terms of both content and price.'

'I thought I could never learn to write Chinese, but after only one month I was already able to recognize many characters in the streets! That's an incredible feeling!'

'During my course Confucius Programs arranged everything perfectly.'

'Having a non-Western roommate is not only very pleasant; it's also good for your Mandarin!'

'It was a tremendous experience and I'm going back next summer to see the Olympic Games in a city I've fallen a little in love with.'

WE: Thanks so very much, Mauro. I've learned so much here - and would LOVE to come and learn Chinese.

#StudyAbroadBecause
 

All photos courtesy and copyright Confucius Programs.