Bard College & Qingdao University, with GPA grant support, are offering an 8-week (6/1-7/26) program with morning classes in advanced Chinese (3 levels) & remaining time for research on a topic of the student's own choosing, leading to a research report in Chinese and English.

Research projects, fitting the students' own research interests, will be carried out with the help of appropriate professors from Qingdao University and "research buddies", chosen from among their students.

The final week will be spent in Hunan, visiting historical sights, like the ancient Yuelu Academy and Mao's birthplace, and investigating rural economy, revolutionary history, and minority culture.

Applicants should be juniors, seniors, recent graduates or graduate students - (US citizens or legal residents) - who have completed at least 2 years of college-level Chinese.

The cost is $3,500. This includes international airfare, travel within China, room and board for 8 weeks, and tuition. Insurance and visa will be paid by the student. Bard does not give credit, but other schools may award credit based on records from Qingdao U.

For more information and an application form, please contact Katherine Gould-Martin gould@bard.edu. Deadline for application is March 1, 2010.