Chinese Language and Culture
Learn about the language and traditions of China while living in the heart of the nation's capital
Start in Canada, then immerse in China while leveraging AI tools to enhance your academic development and better prepare for future professional opportunities in a globalized world.
The growing economy in China has created a continually increasing demand for Chinese language speakers across the globe. With this demand in mind, this program offers you the opportunity for language immersion in Beijing. Through a mix of classroom study and active engagement in daily life, you will improve your communication skills and are expected to progress to intermediate or advanced levels. Additionally, you will gain enhanced understanding of Chinese culture and the skills that will benefit you in your future academic and career endeavors. These linguistic and cultural achievements will help you be better prepared for professional employment in the era of ever-increasing globalization.
Alongside regular classroom study at Beijing Normal University in Beijing, you will have the chance to delve into Chinese culture. There will be opportunities to visit a large variety of cultural heritage sites, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace.
Key Information
Student Experience
Donald Murataj
Have questions?
For program information, please contact Dr. Wei Cai at wcai@ucalgary.ca
For application and registration support, please contact the Group Study Team at group.study@ucalgary.ca
Other useful links:
Info Session Recording
Program Details
The information below was last updated on: October 9, 2025
Questions about these courses should be directed to the program instructor.
Please note: course descriptions are tentative and subject to change.
Students on this program must choose between the following course sets. Students must enroll in all 3 courses of their chosen set.
-
Course Set 1
CHIN 310: Topics in Chinese Culture in an Immersion Setting (3 units)
- (this course is mandatory for all students)
- Prereq: Consent of the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures
- Antreq: Credit for CHIN 309 and 310 will not be allowed
AND
CHIN 280: Chinese Language in an Immersion Setting Beginners I (3 units)
- Prereq: Consent of the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures
- Antreq: Credit for CHIN 280 and 311 will not be allowed
CHIN 281: Chinese Language in an Immersion Setting Beginners II (3 units)
- Prereq: CHIN 280
- Antreq: Credit for CHIN 281 and 313 will not be allowed
-
Course Set 2
CHIN 310: Topics in Chinese Culture in an Immersion Setting (3 units)
- (this course is mandatory for all students)
- Prereq: Consent of the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures
- Antreq: Credit for CHIN 309 and 310 will not be allowed
AND
CHIN 304: Chinese Language in an Immersion Setting Continuing I (3 units)
- Prereq: Consent of the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures
- Antreq: Credit for CHIN 304 and 311 will not be allowed
CHIN 305: Chinese Language in an Immersion Setting Continuing II (3 units)
- Prereq: CHIN 304
- Antreq: Credit for CHIN 305 and 313 will not be allowed
-
Course Set 3
CHIN 310: Topics in Chinese Culture in an Immersion Setting (3 units)
- (this course is mandatory for all students)
- Prereq: Consent of the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures
- Antreq: Credit for CHIN 309 and 310 will not be allowed
AND
CHIN 334: Chinese Language in an Immersion Setting Intermediate I (3 units)
- Prereq: Consent of the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures
- Antreq: Credit for Chinese 311 and 334 will not be allowed
CHIN 335: Chinese Language in an Immersion Setting Intermediate II (3 units)
- Prereq: CHIN 334
- Antreq: Credit for Chinese 313 and 335 will not be allowed
Note: program itinerary is tentative and subject to change.
-
Pre-Departure
TBD, Calgary: Mandatory pre-departure orientation by Global Learning
July 16, Calgary: Lecture from 4pm-8pm
July 17, Calgary: Lecture from 4pm-8pm
July 20, Calgary: Lecture from 4pm-8pm
July 21, Calgary: Lecture from 4pm-8pm
July 22, Calgary: Lecture from 4pm-8pm
-
In-Field
July 25, Calgary/Beijing: Depart Calgary for Beijing
July 26, Beijing: Arrive in Beijing, opening ceremony and campus tour
July 27 –August 21, Beijing: Classes, cultural experience activities and tours
August 22, Beijing: Exam
August 23, Beijing/Calgary: Closing ceremony, depart Beijing for Calgary or independent travel
-
Costs
The estimated cost of the Chinese Language and Culture will be $9,569. The total estimated program cost will include tuition, airfare, field trips, local transportation, accommodations and meals.
For the full cost breakdown and payment deadlines, please see the program Student Cost Summary.
Important information regarding deposit payments: Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits secure your space in the program and allows payment for logistical arrangements to be made in advance.
-
Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you? Since you are studying UCalgary courses and paying UCalgary tuition, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are otherwise eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund and the Global Learning Award. Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
- Students travelling on this program are eligible to apply for the China Scholarship Council Funding. More details to be provided.
- Faculty of Arts Student Study Abroad Grants and other Faculty Specific Awards. For more information, contact your faculty directly.
- Hong Kong-Canada Business Association Scholarship. Please see the funding page for more information.
Students will be staying in residences on campus at the Beijing Normal University (BNU).
We will provide more information regarding accommodations once we have confirmation from the International Residences at BNU.
Please be prepared to share a dorm with one other student.
Students are deemed eligible for this program by the professor. We do recommend that you have an introductory level of Chinese in order to participate in this program.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Wei Cai for more information.
This program is open to undergraduate students in good academic standing from all faculties.
Please note that this program is intended for students with beginner and intermediate levels of Mandarin. If you speak Mandarin as one of your primary languages, you may want to consider participating in a study aboard opportunity like an exchange. For more information on exchanges, please feel free to email us at study.abroad@ucalgary.ca.
-
Written application questions
Please tell us why you want to study abroad, why you have selected this particular program (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how this program will meet your academic objectives and/or complement your degree, how you plan to finance your program and why you should be selected.
The written application questions are submitted within your online application (max 500 words).
Note: Because the online application will time out after one hour, we recommend that you compose your statement of purpose in advance in Word to check for spelling, grammar and word count, and then paste it into the online application.
-
Unofficial Transcript
Download an unofficial transcript from your Student Centre. View the step-by-step guide to access your unofficial transcript.
You will be asked to upload your transcript as a PDF in the online application.
-
Reference Letter
Non-UCalgary students require a Reference Letter. UCalgary students are not required to provide a Reference Letter.
The Reference Letter is to be written by one of your current or past professors. This letter must be submitted from your reference directly to group.study@ucalgary.ca
Please ensure that all documents are submitted by the application deadline, November 10, 2025.
Please ensure that you have read the Group Study Program General FAQs thoroughly before applying.
The advisor for this program is: Sydney Guthrie
Getting started
Program-Specific Info Sessions
Info sessions are scheduled for every Group Study Program. Attending an info session is not required to apply, but strongly recommended as it will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor and learn more about the travel experience.
We also recommend watching Global Learning 101 for general information.
Global Learning Advising
If you have questions about this program, you can meet with one of our Global Learning Advisors by emailing group.study@ucalgary.ca or booking an appointment through the link below.
1. Select "Advising"
2. Select “Study Abroad”
3. Select “Book by Appointment Type”
4. Select your program advisor to view available times.
Academic Advising
Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how a Group Study Program might align with your degree.
After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.