If you choose to study Chinese in China in a summer study abroad program or a semester program then you’ll experience a culture that’s over 5,000 years old and full of deep-rooted traditions.
Some facts about China are:
- Besides being the largest and most populated country in the world, China is home to over 1.3 billion native Chinese speakers.
- The Chinese language contains up to 13 different language subdivisions, such as Cantonese, Mandarin and Wu, making it one of the most difficult languages to learn.
- Despite its complexity, Chinese is the third most spoken language in the entire world following English and Spanish, and the number of people learning it continues to grow every day.
Why Study Chinese Abroad?
Chinese is spoken by over 25% of the world’s population because it is a fun and stimulating language to learn.
There are over 47,000 characters in its alphabet, and words are formed by combining at least two or more characters together. Recognizing the characters and remembering the words allows your brain to function at its full capacity and helps you to learn other languages quickly.
Here are some other benefits of learning Chinese:
- China has the second largest economy in the world
- Knowing the Chinese language looks good on your resume
- You can become involved in international business relations
- China’s booming economy makes it a profitable trading partner to the U.S.
- It is the fastest-growing language studied in the U.S.
- If you decide to study abroad or live in China you can get a job very easily
- Huge companies like Coca Cola and Ford do business in China
- You can understand the Chinese culture and its people better
The most exciting reason to learn the Chinese language is that China is the host of the 2008 Summer Olympics. If you are fortunate enough to travel to China to see the spectacular events, then knowing Chinese will put you right in the middle of the action!
Where to Study Chinese in China
There are many places to study in China where you can immerse yourself in the Chinese culture and interact with native speakers. If you study Chinese in Beijing, which is China’s capital, you can learn about a historical city while visiting some of its many teahouses, temples and shopping centers.
You can also study Chinese in Shanghai, a city whose nickname is “the Oriental Paris” because of its modern shopping centers and lavish restaurants.
Here are a few locations and programs where you can study Chinese in China:
You should never pass up the opportunity to study Chinese in China because it doesn’t happen very often. The knowledge of the Chinese language, its people and the country itself is something that will enrich your life and your future travels.
