hangzhou photo
It's only by leaving your casual surroundings that you can shed your fears and presumptions about others and find out who you truly are. Living in another country teaches you to trust yourself, your own thoughts and feelings, and not be afraid of strangers.
– Lyubov Zuyeva
Berea College

academic affiliate university

Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University is one of the oldest universities in China and ranks third in the nation for research. This prestigious institution enrolls over 33,000 students and welcomes international students from around the world. Central College Abroad students enroll in intensive language classes through the International College at Zhejiang University. Students also take part in a language and culture exchange and have the option to sit in on lectures and take selected electives (available to students of all language levels).

Intensive Chinese Language

Following a language placement test, all students enroll in intensive Chinese language courses. These courses are taught in Chinese and are offered at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels to accommodate students with or without previous Chinese language skills.

Intensive Chinese is a sequence of grammar, reading, writing and speaking courses focusing on the acquisition of basic skills in those four areas. Courses meet four hours a day, five days a week at Zhejiang University’s International College. Students can choose to take this course for either a half semester (10 credits) or a whole semester (13 credits in the fall; 20 credits in the spring).

Zhejiang University electives

Zhejiang University courses are offered as a supplement to your academic experience in China. These courses are experientially based and provide further insight into Chinese practices and customs. Choose from one of the two courses below.  Each course is worth one credit and taught in Chinese.

  • Chinese calligraphy
  • Chinese painting

Additional non-credit lectures and demonstrations, such at Tai Chi and Gong Fu, are also available through Zhejiang University. These lectures and demonstrations meet at various times through out the semester. A complete list of times and offerings will be provided once in Hangzhou.

Language and culture exchange

With Central College Abroad in Hangzhou, you are paired with a Chinese student at the university, called a pengyou (friend) for cultural and language exchange. This distinctive program offered through Central College Abroad provides you with more opportunities for inteaction and integration into Chinese university life.