China is both an ancient civilization and an emerging world superpower. It’s the place to develop or perfect your Mandarin, but students of Art, History, Architecture, and Business will be equally fascinated by modern China. A vast nation, China stretches from the Mongolian steppes in the north to Hong Kong in the south, and from the east-coast cities of Beijing and Shanghai to the Tibetan plateau and the foothills of the Himalayas.

Man-made highlights include the terracotta army in Xian, Beijing’s Forbidden City, and of course the Great Wall. But what’s most fascinating about China, perhaps, is its extraordinary recent growth. Barely three decades on from the death of Chairman Mao and the end of his Cultural Revolution, the country seems poised to become the world’s largest economy.  China’s capital city, Beijing, is also the country’s political, educational, and cultural center.

Located in northern China, Beijing is home to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the ‘Bird’s Nest’—the stadium that was the icon of the 2008 Olympic Games. Sections of the Great Wall are also within easy reach of the city.  Beijing is a fascinating city to visit, a vibrant metropolis that also serves as a microcosm of a country rapidly adapting to its role in the 21st century. Last but not least, Beijing has its own signature dish: crispy Peking Duck, rolled into a pancake with green onions and plum sauce.



Program Description

This is a hybrid program, combining on-line study with two to four weeks of in-country instruction. The program will serve as an introduction to the Chinese Social Welfare System and the challenges it is now facing as a result of rapid economic development. By drawing on academic literature, research initiatives, and visits to Chinese organizations and agencies, you will be encouraged to compare and contrast social welfare policies and practice in the United States and China. For the in-country portion of the program, you’ll have the benefit of input from local educators and practitioners both in the classroom and in the field. Cultural highlights of the program will include visits to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, as well as a traditional Beijing (Duck!) dinner. 

The extended Service Learning component of the program (worth an additional three credits) is designed to encourage students to immerse themselves into Chinese life and culture by serving as interns with one of several social welfare agencies and nonprofit organizations. Placements offered will include working in an organization that supports migrant children, one that helps low-income families with poverty alleviation, or one that promotes leadership and advocacy for nonprofit organizations. Building on your background knowledge of social welfare issues from the first part of the course, you’ll get a chance to engage in meaningful work at the grass roots level.

Information at a Glance

• Academics

• Program Itinerary

• Accommodations and Meals

• Program Costs

•  Scholarships

• Travel Brochure

For more information about this program, please contact the Rutgers Study Abroad office.