Reed College
Reed College

Chinese Department

中文系

Study Abroad Programs and Resources

Study Abroad and Immersion Language Study

The importance of a period of total immersion in a target-language environment cannot be overemphasized for learners of Chinese. Chinese majors are strongly encouraged to apply to Reed-sponsored study programs in China. Members of the Chinese department will guide students in assessing the various programs abroad and approve, in advance, courses in Chinese language/literature that students wish to take to fulfill requirements at Reed. Visit the International Programs website for more information about studying abroad while at Reed.

Reed-sponsored Study Programs in China and Taiwan 

Reed has affiliations with intensive Chinese-language study programs in both China and Taiwan. These are: 

Each of these programs offer students the chance to enhance your Chinese language skills and cross-cultural competency through intensive, immersive study while experiencing the unique physical, social, and cultural environments of these five great metropolises. Depending on the program, students may also take additional courses in Chinese calligraphy, culture, and Tai Chi.  

Additional Study Programs in China and Taiwan

In addition to the study abroad programs with which Reed has a formal affiliation listed above, there are a number of additional intensive Chinese-language study programs in China and Taiwan to which students might consider applying. Many of these offer both summer and full-year options and have been highly recommended by Reed students who have attended them. These include:

Fellowships and Grants

With careful planning, students may take advantage of the several sources of funding available to help defray the costs of studying abroad. Several are listed on the Student Fellowships and Awards webpage. We recommend in particular that students pay attention to the following:

Additional funding sources more specifically targeting study abroad in China or Taiwan include the following: 
  • Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA): These fellowships are awarded to U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying at the undergraduate level at a two-year or four-year college or university who demonstrate financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. They provide need-based funding to assist the recipient with the cost of the study abroad program and related expenses, including airfare, basic living costs, local transportation, books, etc.
  • Ambassador Summer Scholarship Program: This is a "unique program especially designed for students who will be representing their state as well as the United States, acting as ambassadors to Taiwan. Upon returning to the United States, students will be expected to act as ambassadors of good will for both the United States and Taiwan whenever the opportunity presents itself." This program is based at the Chinese Language Center of National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan. Successful applicants receive a monthly stipend of NT$25,000 (approx. US$800) during their study at that program.
  • Huayu Enrichment Scholarship: This scholarship is intended to "encourage international students (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao SAR students are not eligible) to undertake Huayu courses in the Republic of China (Taiwan); in order to provide them with opportunities to increase their understanding of Taiwanese culture and society, and to promote mutual understanding and interactions between Taiwan and the international community." Students may apply for summer funding or for up to one year. Successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend of NT$25,000 (approx. US$800).

Post-Graduate Chinese Study Abroad

For students interested in continuing their involvement with Chinese culture and society after graduation, in addition to those funding sources listed above, there are many opportunities for conducting China-related research, studying or teaching in China and Taiwan, or pursuing a Chinese-related career. These include: