Study abroad in China

On behalf of San Diego State University, Dr. Mei Zhong, associate professor in JMS, currently manages or participates in four student-exchange programs and one service-learning project with universities in China. Many of the students who participate in these programs are majors within the School of JMS.

One world, many dreams

Last summer, Professor Zhong and nine students from SDSU participated in a unique program called the “Poverty Alleviation through Education Project” in China, featured in a short video on the JMS Web site. Sponsored by the Wang Foundation, the program is designed to allow U.S. and Chinese university students to live and work together in e-learning community centers to deliver educational resources to the poorest regions of China. During its initial year, 68 American students and 442 students from Tsinghua University participated in the three-week program. Dr. Zhong, who was invited to be involved in the initial organization of the program, served as the faculty coordinator for SDSU. She worked with the International Student Center to screen applicants and make selections. Supported by the Office of International Programs, Dr. Zhong also traveled to Beijing to participate in the opening week of the program on the campus of Tsinghua University. She will continue to serve as the faculty coordinator for the 2007 group, which is expected to double in size. Interested students should contact her at: (619) 421-4885 or mzhong@mail.sdsu.edu.

Communication and culture

San Diego State University established a student-exchange program with Tianjin University of Finance and Economics in 2000. The program was made possible by an international travel grant from the Provost’s Office. Tianjin is a large city in China located about 80 miles southeast of Beijing. Professor Zhong has taught two summer classes in this program. While in China, students meet with Chinese college students to exchange ideas about culture and communication. Each student also collects data through interviews for a project about Chinese culture and communication. In return, SDSU receives students from Tianjin University each semester. After completing the exchange program, many students return to SDSU for graduate study.

Long-term program

The student exchange program between SDSU and Anhui University of China in long-standing. Professor Zhong took charge of the program in 2001, and the university began re-sending students there in 2003. Anhui University is located in the capital city of Hefei in Anhui Province. It is about six hours driving distance from Shanghai.

Language and culture

San Diego State University has had an exchange program with Hebei University of China for 18 years. Hebei University is located in Baoding, Hebei Province, and is about 90 minutes driving distance from Beijing. Dr. Zhong took charge of the program in 2001, and the university has been sending students each year. The program allows each university to send up to three students to study for a semester or a year at the host institution. Most SDSU students study the Chinese language and culture.

Newest program

San Diego State University has recently established a student-exhange program with Hebei Normal University, located in the capital city of Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province. The program will begin operating once there is enough student demand. Dr. Zhong is working closely with the Office of Study Abroad of the International Business Department to facilitate this new program.

Study abroad in Singapore

Over the past seven years, the School of Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University has developed a close partnership with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. As a result, qualified SDSU students are able to participate in one of most successful exchange programs the university has to offer.

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a premier, state-of-the-art facility in Southeast Asia and ranks among the world’s top universities. NTU has a culture of research and excellence and prides itself on its diverse student body. The School of Communication and Information (SCI) is an integral part of NTU and enrolls more than 600 undergraduates and 150 graduate students. SCI offers degrees in several divisions: Journalism and Publishing, Electronic and Broadcast Media, Public and Promotional Communication, Communication Research, Information Studies.

Benefits of the program include:

• Students will receive full credits for classes taken at NTU.
• English is the primary instructional language.
• Tuition is paid through SDSU at the normal SDSU cost. Exchange students will not incur any additional tuition fees at NTU.
• All exchange students are guaranteed accommodation in one of the NTU residence halls.

Professional internships also are available as part of this program. Students can apply for the internship program for up to three transferable units. Students will be working full-time in a local organization and gain professional knowledge about the media industry and invaluable insight into the local culture.

Information sessions about the program are held in the School of Journalism & Media Studies at the beginning of every semester. The dates for these meetings can be obtained from SDSU’s Study Abroad Office. Applications are accepted for both the fall and spring semester and are evaluated on a competitive basis. Selections are based on personal goals and objectives (assessed via essay submission), good academic standing and professional recommendations. Selected candidates will be invited to a pre-departure orientation.

Study abroad in Italy

San Diego State University participates as part of the Consortium of Universities for International Studies. The consortium operates study-abroad programs in the Veneto region of Italy, near Venice. Students in the School of Journalism & Media Studies may enroll in this study-abroad opportunity and spend either a full semester or a summer taking classes in Italy. Classes fit with U.S. curricula are taught in English by professors from the United States. JMS faculty have taught in the Italy program in past summers. More information on the Italy study-abroad opportunity is available at http://www.cimbaitaly.com.