Calvin College
China Program
Orientation Information
Fall 2013
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"Learning without borders" (the four characters on the cover page) is the goal
of Calvin's China Program. We want to give you a solid, well-rounded
introduction to China, one that includes both academic and "hands-on" learning.
We hope that you'll relish your time here and do your best to make our semester
together both enjoyable and successful. Give it your best, and you won’t be
disappointed.
Welcome to Beijing!
Wayne Ten Harmsel, director (academic and social)
Lynn Ten Harmsel, program associate
I. Practical Details, pp. 3-10
II. Academic Program, pp. 11-15
III. Packing Checklist, pp. 16-19
II. Beijing Scavenger Hunt, pp. 20-24
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I. Practical Details
Housing
You'll be staying in CNU’s foreign students’ guesthouse. You’ll find it very comfortable.
Students from several other countries will be sharing the guesthouse with you. Some may or
may not speak English, but all will speak varying levels of Chinese. You should try to take the
opportunity to interact and enjoy the cosmopolitan (and especially Asian) character of the
guesthouse community.
Outside guests are not allowed in your rooms. Visiting with guests is in the 2nd floor lounge.
Please be considerate of other students and keep the noise down after 10 p.m. on weeknights and
11 p.m. on weekends.
The guesthouse service-women are called fuwu yuan . Their job is to assist you in anything
that has to do with your room. You have to buy your own toilet paper, but they will take care of
the trash, and a couple of times a week they’ll sweep the room and clean the bathroom. If you
need help with your room, dial “5”. A friendly attitude goes a long way with the housekeeping
staff.
Other guesthouse related information:
Cleaning: You may want to do what the fuwu yuan leave undone. Cleaning supplies are
available in local stores. You can buy them without knowing their Chinese names.
Don’t be too shocked by the amount of dirt that will accumulate in your room; it’s just
part of life in China!
Food & water: There is one community kitchen on each floor. You may borrow an
electric flat pan from housekeeping after leaving a deposit. YOU MAY NOT COOK OR
USE COOKING APPLIANCES OR HEATERS IN YOUR ROOM.
Other food and water tips to keep in mind:
- Drinking water should be boiled. DON’T DRINK TAP WATER! Each floor has
a water boiler. Bottled distilled water and mineral water are available in stores and on
the street.
- Don’t be afraid to eat raw fruit and vegetables that you prepare in your room, but do
get into the habit of washing and drying them carefully. We wash firm-skinned
things with dish detergent. We peel things that have a broken skin. Some
foreigners use chlorine bleach and water to clean their vegetables, but we have
never found this necessary—use your own judgment or ask someone.
Laundry: To use washing machine and dryer, you must first buy a card (xi yi piao) for 60
rmb, incl. 20 rmb deposit, returnable. Detergent is available in shops off campus and in
the second floor store. Since so many students use the machines, you may want to hand
wash some small things in your sink.
Problem: If you have any problems at the guesthouse, please let me (or Lynn) know.
It’s less complicated for us to work things out with the management than for you to do it.
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Conversely, if the guesthouse has problems with you, they'll tell one of us about it, not
you.
DIRECTOR
I (Professor Ten Harmsel) am the director of the program, and as such responsible for
“directorly functions”, and my wife Lynn, the program associate, will also at times exercise
delegated responsibilities. So in matters of authority and decision-making, there will often be
dual leadership, but the buck will always end up on my desk. For academic stuff in general see
me; for specifics on language classes and dealing with CNU administration, see Lynn; for
activities and recreation see either of us. In an emergency, contact either of us.
Wayne and Lynn: Home 6786-1370, Wayne's cell 13439667673,
Lynn's cell 13439751595.
PROGRAM OFFICE and PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
The program office is in the community room. Lynn is the Program Associate. She will
also be the main liaison between the Chinese language teaching staff and the director, myself.
Since our house is far from the campus, it will work much better to meet at school if you need to
talk with us. Please feel free to make an appointment to talk with either of us at any time. For
everyday sorts of issues, please give either of us a call.
COMMUNITY ROOM
Room 704 on the 7th floor is the community room/office. There will be a few keys to it to
share among you. Or if you can’t lay hands on a key, a fuwu yuan might let you in. Make sure
you lock the door on leaving. You are free to use the room for study, play (cards, etc.),
meetings, Bible study, etc. But please do remember that this room is for all of you and do your
best to use it responsibly by locking the door, taking care of the equipment, and keeping it tidy
(especially the refrigerator, which tends towards grossness). There is no smoking in the
community room. If anything gets used up, broken, or lost, please let me know so that I can
replace it. Note: if you break anything in your room that belongs to the school, you’ll have to
pay for it.
Some of the items for your use in community room:
Books: The books on the shelves belong mainly to Calvin College; some are mine.
Please use the books with care and return them when you are finished.
Sports equipment: There are a very few items of sports equipment for your use.
Other stuff: There also are a few eating utensils and bowls. Use them and return them
clean. There are also a coffeemaker, toilet scrubber, toilet-plunger, a broom and dustpan.
There is also a DVD player and several DVDs. If there's something else that you think
the office could use, please let me know and I'll see about getting it.
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Shopping
Haidian District, the university district of Beijing, has lots of good shopping. You'll rarely
need to go very far for anything. There are several supermarkets fairly near the campus (details
on request)
Downtown Friendship Store: The first big store for foreigners, this one has been far
outpaced by the newer commercial ventures, but it still has a couple of attractions. This
is also a good place to get typical souvenirs and handicrafts because the state regulates
the prices and assures quality. Their bookstore, though quite expensive, is excellent for
books about China. The best way to get there is to take a bus to either Xizhimen or
Chegongzhuang and then get on the subway to Jianguomen.
Eating Out
Below are just a few of the innumerable options for eating out.
Chinese: Across from the university library is the giant student cafeteria. It’s a very
convenient place to eat and opportunity to mix with Chinese students. The food is cheap
and not bad. Outside campus there are countless places. Most restaurants on the 3rd ring
road will be more costly. On the side streets are plenty of good, cheap places. You’ll
quickly discover your favorites. If a place looks clean and has several Chinese
customers, it’s a good bet.
Street: We don’t ordinarily eat on the street. It can be risky—and usually not very
pleasant. I'm not saying don't do it, just be careful and forewarned.
Western favorites: McDonalds, KFC, Subway, Baskin-Robbins all have shops in the
neighborhood. If you’re interested in Indian food, Thai food, or Italian food, just ask or
look in the Beijing Guidebook (in the program office). They're expensive, though
available.
Transportation
There are lots of things to do and places to go in Beijing. I hope that you take advantage of
your time here and pack in as much as possible. If you hear of or read about a place that you
would like to visit, just ask and I'll try to help you find the best way to get there.
Some of the options for getting around the city include:
Bikes: You can buy a new bike for about RMB200; but be forewarned, they break down
frequently and always at inconvenient times. Since bikes are a hot target, it’s better to
use more than one lock. I suggest you wait to get one until you meet your language tutor.
He or she will probably be willing to help you buy a used bike that no one will want to
steal.
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Buses: Buses can get you very cheaply (RMB1-2, or .40 if you have a bus/subway card)
to almost every point in the city. Unfortunately, they're extremely slow and sardine-can
crowded. If you want to take the bus somewhere, either consult the bus guide in the
office or ask Lynn or me and we’ll try to help you find the right one to where you want to
go. Bus 300 circumnavigates the 3rd Ring Road and makes few stops, so it’s not a bad
way to get around. WATCH OUT FOR PICKPOCKETS!
Subway: The subway (ditie), has many lines, covering most of the city. It costs RMB2 to
stop at any station on its route. The closest station to CNU is Huayuan qiao on line 6.
Lynn and other old hands can advise on other subway and bus line secrets. We will
provide you with a subway/bus card; you will need to keep a balance on it. The card
makes things much easier and cheaper.
Taxis: Taxis in Beijing are convenient and relatively inexpensive. All are a basic 10
yuan charge for the first several kilometers then 2 yuan per km. When you are returning
to the guesthouse, just show the driver your CNU card or, if you get lost, often the driver
has a cell phone and you can ask the driver to call either myself (13439667673) or Lynn
(13439751595) for direction (always remember, we’re on the NORTH campus).
Mail
Receiving mail: Your mail will be delivered to the second floor business center, where you can
pick it up. Sometimes they’ll call your room. If someone sends you a package, you’ll receive a
notice to pick it up within 10 days. To pick up your package, take your notice and your passport
to the post office located across the 3rd Ring Road and go to the window marked “Packages.” If
you have questions, just ask.
Address: Your mailing address is the following:
Susie Doe
Room #701
INTERNATIONAL CULTURE PLAZA
Capital Normal University, North Campus
83 West 3rd Ring Road
Haidian District
Beijing 100089
China
Although mail between China and North America (and vice versa) is relatively fast (one
week to 10 days), there's no guarantee that your letter won’t get lost somewhere over the
Pacific. We’ve never had this happen…that we know of.
Post Office. Across the 3rd Ring Road a short walk north. Also a P.O. on CNU’s main
campus.
Postage: Postage for 1 page letters is RMB6. To mail a letter, you must first give the
clerk your letter. After weighing it, she will either put it through the postage meter or
give you the appropriate amount of postage. If she gives you stamps take your letter and
stamps to the little table next to the door to glue on your stamps (don’t try to lick the
stamps). After you’ve made a sticky gooey mess, put your letters in the green box
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outside the front door. If mailing a package, do not seal it until the clerk has checked the
contents.
Contents: You'll need to instruct your friends back home in what may and may not be
sent here. There's never any guarantee that mail will not be opened. Your
correspondence should avoid sensitive items: ANYTHING political, including opinions
expressed in letters or requests for inside information; anything overtly critical of China.
Telephone
Room-to-room and local calls: To dial another room (free) add prefix ‘6’. For local calls
(not free), add prefix ‘9’. You will need to open an account at the front desk; you will be
given a password. For international calls, it is best to get an “IP” card (below).
International calls: Calling from China to North America is now relatively inexpensive,
if you use IP cards. You can purchase cards on campus and at many places off campus.
The cards come in varying amounts (e.g., RMB30 to 500—the higher the value, the
larger the discount) and allow you to make overseas calls for about US.13 cents per
minute. You can only use China Mobile IP cards on your room phone. Be careful to
check the expiration date on the card before purchasing. To make a call, just follow the
instructions on the back of the card. When the networks are busy, you may have to try
several times before you get through. Just be persistent. The easiest and cheapest way to
call internationally is to use Skype or some similar service.
International operator: You can also use International phone services such as AT&T,
Sprint, and MCI to call North America. They're quite expensive, however. Use of a
Sprint, AT&T, or MCI card will cost you about US$6.00 for the 1st minute and US$3.00
for subsequent minutes. To use the international operator for your card service, you can
dial AT&T @ 10811, MCI @ 10812, or Sprint @ 10813.
Email and Internet
You have a couple of options for using the Internet while you're in Beijing.
Calvin will cover the cost of one internet connection per room.
Internet café: There are several near campus. Ask other students or your language
partner. At most it costs between 2 and 10 yuan per hour
Word of caution: There are a couple of things to keep in mind as you use email and the
Internet in Beijing. The Chinese government is very sensitive about the kind of
information that comes into the country through the Internet. Stay away from any sites
that deal with Chinese politics (especially related to dissidents) or pornography. And
some news sites you may not be able to access. We are currently unable to access
Facebook and Youtube.
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Money
Though the money system looks complex, it’s simple and you’ll catch on quickly.
Meal money: Every ten days, I’ll give you RMB600 to cover your meal costs. You’ll
want to budget the money so that you have enough to cover the entire period. If you eat
your meals at the cafeteria or in groups of three or four, you’ll be able to eat quite
cheaply. A good general rule to remember is that things local are generally cheap, but
things imported are always more expensive. We will have one evening meal together
each week. I will pay for this. This will be an opportunity to catch up and discuss any
issues that may have arisen.
Changing money: You can change currency and cash travelers' checks at many banks
near campus. If you cash travelers' checks or exchange money, you must have your
passport along. It's a VERY bad idea to change money on the street. Don't do it.
ATMs: If you want more money from home, there are several ways of getting it. More
and more places have ATMs. The most convenient one is on the second floor by the
bookstore. There is one beside the door of the cafeteria. There are also ATMs at the
banks just south of campus. The exchange rate is good at an ATM, but both your bank
and the local bank will add on a service charge.
Medical
You'll probably stay well most of the time. But you'll be coming into contact with a lot of
new people, eating new food, moving around the city (and country)—all affording opportunities
to pick things up. We just wash our hands a lot, take our vitamins, and cultivate a positive—not
fearful—attitude. If you do get sick or hurt yourself, there are some good options for care:
Beijing United Family Clinic, the International Medical Center-Beijing, the AEA Clinic, and the
Family Health Center. All four are staffed with foreign doctors, follow western office
procedures, use mostly western medicine, and offer emergency evacuation if required. They're
very expensive, but if there is a more serious infection or injury, or if there is any problem that
could require testing, these are the best bet. All also offer dental care. They take payment in
RMB or U.S. dollars and welcome major credit cards.
If you are out on your own and need medical care immediately, go to a foreign clinic—not to
a local hospital, unless absolutely necessary (you’re unconscious, etc.). For that reason, it’s best
to carry a clinic card at all times. They're in close proximity, so any of them will work. We
usually use Beijing United, which has special facilities for crises.
Below are particulars of clinics that cater to foreigners:
1. International Medical Center (IMC), Lufthansa Office Building, 6465-1561
2. Asia Emergency Assistance (AEA) Chao Yang District, 1 Xin Fu San Cun North Rd.,
Building C, 6462-9112
3. Health Center, 2 Jiangtai Rd., Chao Yang District, 6433-3960.
4. Beijing United Family Clinic: we will give you cards to this hospital at the orientation
meeting.
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Embassies
Each of us should register with our respective foreign embassies after you know your
address and telephone no. This is a good idea for many reasons; we’ll talk more about this later.
Personal Safety
In many ways, Beijing is far safer than Grand Rapids. It’s very unlikely that you'll encounter
situations where you feel personally threatened, although there are areas that you should avoid
late at night. Wherever you are, however, it’s important to be careful. I recommend that you use
the buddy system, especially at night and particularly for women students. Good Samaritans are
harder to come by here in China than in North America. In the unlikely event of an accident on
the street, your buddy can flag a taxi to take you to the hospital, etc. Don’t forget to carry with
you at all times a photocopy of your passport or resident card, a name card for CNU, a card for
your embassy, a card for a medical clinic, and our name cards. Probably you won’t need any of
these things—but just in case.
It’s also important that before you go out you tell at least one person where you are going.
So, for example, if you go out one evening with a friend to watch a movie, just let another
classmate know your plans. We’ll be making some out-of-town trips as a group; at other times
you may want to make a day trip outside the city in smaller groups. Feel free to do so (as long as
these trips don’t interfere with your class schedule), but please let one of us know before you go.
I don’t especially want to be in the position of “giving you permission;” but I do want to help
you determine the feasibility of going, logistics, etc., and simply to have some idea of where you
are (in case your parents call). REMEMBER: You need to fill out a “personal excursion waiver
form” before you leave.
Church Services
There are a number of different places where you can worship on Sundays. Worshiping in a
cosmopolitan setting such as Beijing can be both an uplifting and eye-opening experience. The
international fellowships also provide an important network of Christians working in different
capacities, something that you may find interesting and at times helpful. I do encourage you to
attend church while you are in Beijing.
Here are some of the worship opportunities open to you in Beijing.
Chinese churches: There are several big Protestant and Catholic churches in Beijing.
Most Chinese churches have more than one service and you must get there early in
order to get a seat. For locations, worship times, and directions to Chinese worship,
please ask Lynn or me and we will try to provide or find the information.
Tentatively, we plan to take the whole group to Gangwashi church on the first
Sunday; some of you might wish to become involved there. Gangwashi has English
translation at all services.
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Beijing International Christian Fellowship (BICF). Meets Sundays, 9.00 and 11.00
a.m. at the Sino-Japanese Youth Friendship Center in the 21st Century Hotel (about
300 metres east of the Lufthansa Center, near the east 3rd ring road at the airport
tollway). BICF has a second congregation, BICF-Zhongguancun, considerably
closer to us, north in the heart of the university district in the Raycom building. This
group also has two services, also at 9.00 and 11.00 am. At both of these fellowships, a
variety of opportunities for small groups, service projects, etc. are available.
Congregation of the Good Shepherd. Meets Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at the Capital
Mansion Club in Capital Mansions (in Chaoyang district on the east side of town).
CGS is a smaller church that incorporates more traditional liturgy in its worship.
CGS also offers a variety of fellowship and Bible study activities.
(Note that foreigners may attend Chinese churches, but only foreign passport holders may
attend these international fellowships; so take yours along)
Recreation
There are several opportunities on our campus: a decent workout center in the sub-basement
of our building, and a pool as well. Also on this campus are basketball courts and ping pong
tables. Main campus has a badminton gym, a racing track, and another swimming pool. In
nearby Purple Bamboo Park you can walk, boat, and fish. Beijing also has a host of other
activities: art galleries, ballet, concerts, discos, golf, movies, museums, theater, professional
basketball games, and many other things. Please consult The Beijing Guide Book for particulars,
and weekly publications like “Beijing This Week.”
Authority and Discipline
As the program director, I'm responsible for maintaining an atmosphere within which you
can feel secure and make progress toward our program’s objectives. On those rare occasions
when a student’s behavior disrupts good order, endangers the reputation and good standing of the
program, or seriously affects group safety or morale, I'll have to intervene.
As the China Program Student Handbook states, intervention usually occurs in two stages.
First, a student will be counseled about the disruptive behavior and warned. If the behavior
persists, the student may be placed on a probationary status or dismissed from the program. The
student will be given the opportunity to present her/his case to me, but, after consultation with
the Student Affairs Office, I'll make a final decision.
Just one word of extreme warning: NO DRUGS. Messing with illegal drugs in a foreign
country is just plain stupid. If anyone gets caught with drugs, he or she will be immediately
dismissed from the program.
Anything Else?
In this orientation material, I’ve tried to give you a brief overview of the practical
information you'll need for day-to-day functioning here in Beijing. No doubt the above
information will spark lots more questions. We’ll try to cover these questions as we go through
the materials. If you have more questions as we go along, please don’t hesitate to ask or consult
the indispensable The Beijing Guide Book on the shelf in the program office.
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II. Program
Schedule for Fall 2013 program: (tentative)
Depart N.A.
Silk Road Trip
August 20 (arrive in Beijing Aug. 21)
August 22-28
Registration
Placement Test
Calvin Orientation
CNU Orientation
Classes start
August 28, 29
August 30
August 31
August 31
Sept. 2
1st Course: “Traditional China”
Sept. 2 – October 4
Weekend trip
September 21-22
National Day Holiday
Sept. 29 – October 5
2nd Course: “Modern China”
October 7 - November 11
Weekend trip
October 26-27
rd
3 Course: “Emerging China”
November 13 - 29
Nanjing Shanghai Trip
December 1-7
Wrap-up
December 8
Depart Beijing
December 9 (arrive in N.A. Dec. 9)
** some of these dates are open to change **
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Curriculum
Chinese Language Study: You'll be studying Chinese five days per week in a classroom setting
and one session per week with a peer tutor. Your Chinese classes schedule will be determined
when you get here (see separate handout for class selection). On Tuesday afternoons, you'll each
meet with a language tutor from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. (by mutual choice you can move this time for
activities or other reasons). Your tutors will be CNU undergraduate students. These sessions
with the tutors are meant to be opportunities for exploring Chinese language study outside the
confines of the formal curriculum. It also could develop into part of your CCE project if you
develop a personal relationship with your tutor. Those of you who have studied Chinese at
Calvin (or in some other setting) will take a test at the beginning of the semester to determine at
what level you should enter the language program. (12 weeks, 5 credit hours)
Traditional China: This course is an introduction to Chinese civilization from its earliest times
to the end of the Ming dynasty. This course will look not only at the historical foundations of
early China, but also at the religious and philosophical underpinnings of Chinese civilization in
the form of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, and the beginnings of Christianity in China.
In Beijing, we’ll visit several important cultural, religious, and historical sites. (5 weeks, 3 credit
hours).
Modern China: Starting with the Qing, this course will look at events and forces that have
shaped China in the last 200-plus years. Special attention will be paid to China’s collision with
the West in the 19th century, the rise of Communism in the 20th century and Communist history
since Liberation in 1949. In Beijing, we will visit several important Qing sites and 20th-century
places of interest. This course will culminate in a six or seven day trip to Nanjing and Shanghai.
(6 weeks, 3 credit hours).
Emerging China: Starting from the end of the Cultural Revolution, this course will look at the
period of “Reform and Opening” and its present course of development. Through readings,
guest lectures, and individual projects we will examine some of the tough questions facing China
as it entered the 21st century: population growth, the transition from socialist to market economy,
religion in post-communist China, the rule of law, and China’s place in the larger global
community (3 weeks, 2 credit hours).
Book List for Courses
Traditional Chinese Civilization:
John King Fairbank, China: a New History
Patricia Ebrey, Sourcebook
Lisa See, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Jonathan Spence, The Death of Woman Wang
Modern China:
Lu Xun, The True Story of Ah Q
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The above texts by Fairbank and Ebrey
Lao She, Rickshaw
Lao She, Teahouse
Emerging China:
Handouts
Chinese Language Materials:
Each level of Chinese classes has its own curriculum. You can purchase the books for
these classes at the time you register. Your Chinese books will cost between RMB100
and RMB160, depending on your Chinese level.
In addition to the above materials, I’ll distribute some handouts for you to read from time to
time.
Materials
The following are resource materials available for your use in working to understand China:
Office materials: We are in the process of putting together a collection of books for student use.
You can find these books on the bookshelf in the community room. There's little rhyme or
reason to these choices, except they're all in English and my predecessor Kurt Selles and I
thought you might find them interesting and, hopefully, helpful. All of these books have “Calvin
College” stamped on their inside covers. The other books on the shelf belong to me. Please feel
free to use the Calvin books and my personal books. To help keep track of where the materials
are, please let me know what you are borrowing and when you return it. As with all of the other
materials and equipment in the office, please don’t lend them to students outside our program.
What’s lost or not returned hurts all of us, plus you'll have to pay for them! On the bookshelf
there are also CDs that you might find helpful in exploring topics related to China. You can use
these materials on the computers in your rooms. I can’t vouch for the quality (or copyright) of
any of them.
The Beijing Center library: A treasure of standard academic books on all aspects of China is the
library of the Beijing Center, an American consortium institution located at the International
Economics and Trade University in NE Beijing. We’ll visit there early in the semester so you
can get a sense of its potential and get a library card. You can use their books in the library, but
you cannot check them out.
Internet: Keeping in mind the cautions that I made above (off-limit sites, sharing the computers
with others, etc.), you can also surf the web for China topics that interest you or are related to the
program. I think you’ll be surprised what’s out there, though you may also be surprised (or
dismayed) by the lack of depth to the information that you find. If you find a particularly
interesting site, please make sure that you let the rest of us know about it, too.
Bookstores: There are lots of bookstores around Beijing, and most all of them are full of
surprises. If you find books that you’re quite sure we don’t have and aren’t too expensive (less
than RMB100), please go ahead and purchase them and I’ll reimburse you. You might stumble
on English books in any Chinese bookstore, but two particularly good places are the Haidian
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Book Market (close to Peking University’s south gate), and the Foreign Language Press at
Wangfujing downtown.
Travel
One of the most important learning components of our program will be the cultural and
historical outings and excursions we take. These will consist of several kinds: weekly afternoon
trips around the Beijing area, two weekend trips, a Silk Road trip, and a six-day trip in November
to Nanjing and Shanghai.
Beijing and environs: During September and October, in our mid-week Beijing excursions we
will be visiting many of the following: the Confucian Temple and next-door Imperial Academy,
the Lama (Buddhist) Temple, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, a
performance of Peking Opera, the Marco Polo Bridge and museum of the Sino-Japanese War,
the Beijing City museum. CNU will take you to the Great Wall. Opportunity may afford yet
others. Places you might like to venture out to on your own include the Lu Xun Museum, the
Song Qing Ling residence, the Bell & Drum Towers, the Niu Jie Mosque, etc. Unfortunately, we
won’t get to all of the interesting places in Beijing as a group. So please do take the opportunity
to strike out on your own (especially on weekends) to find the forgotten pockets of Chinese
history and culture still remaining in Beijing. And if you do find a great place, let us all know.
Out-of-town excursions: September 21-22 we’ll take a trip to Shanhaiguan, where the Great
Wall meets the sea, and overnight in Beidaihe, a premier resort town.
Silk Road: Before classes start we will take a Silk Road trip, visiting Xi’an, Lanzhou, Jiayuguan,
and Dunhuang.
Chengde: October 26-27 we’ll take the train to Chengde (Jehol) in the northern part of Hebei
province, where the Qing emperors spent their summer holidays.
Nanjing and Shanghai: In December after classes are done we'll be taking a trip to Nanjing and
Shanghai. In Nanjing, former capital of Republican China, we will visit the cemetery of Sun
Yat-sen and the sobering memorial of the Nanjing Massacre of 1937. Our trip will culminate in
Shanghai with a visit to the old foreign concessions and (perhaps) sites of the former Jewish
community, the Bund (waterfront), and the world-class Shanghai Museum.
Housekeeping: we’re still at Calvin.
We’re going to have lots of fun and learn a lot about China this semester. But don’t forget—
this is an academic program. In other words, the work that you do here will be, for better or
worse, recorded on your Calvin transcript. Below is some information about the academic side
of your China experience.
Class Attendance and Participation (For history classes): Class attendance is mandatory for a
simple reason, that is: A substantial amount of material not contained in the reading will be
introduced in lectures. Students are responsible for all material covered in class. Absences will
not be permitted except under extraordinary circumstances. Student participation is encouraged
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and expected, as classroom discussion is a vital part of learning, understanding and evaluating
new material (10% of final grade).
Reading (For history classes): The texts for these classes have been selected carefully, for
historical value and for economy of presentation. Please make sure that you complete the
assigned reading prior to each class session.
Chinese language grades: During the semester, you'll have two Chinese exams, one in October
and one in early December. Your final grade will be based on attendance, your exam scores, and
a consultation with your Chinese teacher.
Short Writing Assignments (For history classes): For Traditional China and Modern China,
you'll be required to submit two short (3-4 page) essays. These exercises are designed to help
you synthesize reading materials and concepts. I would like for these papers to be less formal
than a standard research paper, but more structured than a “free-writing” assignment. Specific
instructions for each assignment will be distributed and discussed in class (25% each toward
final grade).
Final exam (For history classes): At the end of each of the first two courses, you'll take a final
exam. The final exam will last for up to two hours (40% of final grade).
Longer Essay: For Emerging China, you'll work on a project related to an issue or topic facing
China early in the 21st century. You'll each present your topic and lead a discussion about it.
Before you leave China, you'll submit a 7-9 page essay that deals with the issue in its historical
and cultural context and its implications for the future. Your grade for this course will be based
on your participation, presentation, and your final paper.
Grades: Courses that are taught by Calvin or Calvin-hired professors will go on a student’s
transcript, and will be factored into a student’s GPA. Conversely, any course that is taught by a
non-Calvin professor will be recorded on a student’s transcript, however, the grade for that
course will not factor into the student’s GPA.
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III. Packing List
NOTE: We recommend only bringing items that are necessary to living in China. Many of the
items below, such as shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent, school supplies, and tissues are
available in the local grocery store. In addition, many of the clothing items can be found at the
markets nearby. We also recommended bringing older, used clothing from your wardrobe as the
washing machines and environment tend to be hard on one’s clothing. You will need to dress for
any weather due to the duration of your stay in Beijing from August to December. (The weather
is quite similar to Michigan’s) This list is not exhaustive, use discretion while packing and
preparing to live abroad.
Mandatory Items: (Do NOT leave home without these items!)
Passport
Ticket/Itinerary
Money (Either in the form of cash or an ATM/debit/credit card)
This Orientation Information Packet (and other important papers)
Any medicine prescribed by a doctor that is paramount to your health (make sure to pack
enough for the duration of your stay or have a plan on how to obtain more when needed)
Recommended Items:
Backpack (useful for the week and weekend-long trips)
Towel (CNU does not provide towels, bringing hand-towels and washcloths are also
recommended)
Electrical Converter
Laptop and Charger
TSA approved locks for suitcase (usually a good idea)
Drivers’ License (usually a good idea)
Camera with memory card, charger, and battery
Mobile phone with charger (usually good idea for keeping contact on the way home)
External Hard-Drive
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Recommended Items:
Thumb-Drive
Travel-Size Shampoos (enough for the first week or so)
Facial/Bathroom Tissues (bathrooms in China do not usually provide tissue)
Hand Sanitizer (VERY useful!)
Deodorant
Razors
Travel mug for hot water/coffee (Many places in China will have hot water heaters for
you to fill a mug for tea or coffee)
Ibuprofen (general headache medicine)
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Undergarments/Socks
Shorts/Capris for warmer weather
Jeans/Long Pants for colder weather
Sleepwear
Shoes for cold and warm weather
Walking/Running Shoes
Sweaters/Sweatshirts
Long Sleeved Shirts (When the weather gets colder, you may want to layer clothing )
T-Shirts
Jacket for Fall and Winter weather
Swimsuit
Retainer (Any specialty items for mouth appliances ie. Braces)
Glasses/Contacts
Bible
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Other Items:
iPod and headphones
Bed cushion (the beds at CNU tend to be on the hard side)
Pillow (CNU provides pillows, but if you prefer your own plan accordingly with your
baggage)
Blanket (CNU does provide sheets and a comforter, along with pillows but if you prefer
your own blanket plan accordingly)
Journal (Great to keep track of where you’ve been and what you’ve seen.)
Notebooks/folders (Available at CNU and local stores)
Pens/ Pencils (Available at CNU and local stores)
Chinese grammar book (You will buy textbooks for your classes at CNU, but some
students found it helpful to use Larry Herzberg’s Grammar Book, available at the Calvin
Bookstore)
Travel guides/books (Since online sources are not always reliable in regards to
sightseeing, some students found it helpful to purchase a travel guide book ahead of
departure i.e. China and Beijing Insight Guides, available online or Barnes and Noble)
Index cards
Pictures
Ziplock bags
Q-tips
Curling Iron/Straightener/Hair Dryer (If you bring a hairdryer, make sure to have an
electrical converter!)
Laundry detergent (Individual use packages are helpful for the first week or so, detergent
is available at local stores)
Bug spray (not necessary at CNU, but may be useful for the various trips)
Feminine Products (Some are available in China)
Makeup (You can find makeup in China, but you may want to bring what you prefer)
Cough-drops
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Other Items:
Sun lotion
Umbrella
Mouthwash
Sun Glasses
Face wash
Hairbrush
Band-Aids and Neosporin
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IV. Scavenger Hunt
Purpose:
The purpose of this scavenger hunt is to help students get acquainted with the majestic city
of Beijing 北京. Whilst living in Beijing, one can become accustomed to a routine of class,
homework, and daily living. This scavenger hunt aims at helping students engage the city
they are living in, and to encourage them to explore the city. Here are some ideas of places
to go. This list is by no means exhaustive, merely an addition to the weekly trips that will
be visited with Professor Ten Harmsel. Hopefully throughout the semester, students will
have a chance to experience many of these magnificent sights.
Directions:
• Pick a place you would like to go.
• Plan the transportation you will take to get there. (Subway, Bus, Walking, or Taxi)
• Arrive at destination.
• Take a picture of your destination. (Make sure to have a picture of the people who went)
• Be Safe.
Remember: Be creative with your pictures, and forms of transportation!
Olympic Park (北京奧林匹克公園
北京奧林匹克公園):
北京奧林匹克公園 Date:
The Olympic Park consists of various sights and buildings that were constructed for the
2008 Olympics in Beijing. Some of the sights you can see here are the National Stadium
(Bird’s Nest Stadium) and “The Bubble” Swimming Complex, to name a few.
Beihai Park (Beihai gongyuan 北海公园
北海公园): Date:
Beihai Park is a beautiful park surrounding Beihai Lake which hosts a variety of daily
activities such as calligraphy writing, dancing, and singing enjoyed by the local visitors.
•
Sights located around the lake include:
Jingxinzhai (Place of the quiet heart)
Xiancantan (Alter of the Silkworm)
Tianwangdian (Hall of the Celestial Kings)
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Jiulongbi (Nine Dragon Screen)
Wanfolou (Tower of Ten Thousand Buddhas
Xiaoxitian (Miniature Western Heaven
Wulongting (Five Dragon Pavilion)
Tieyingbi (Iron Wall)
Waterside Hall
•
Sights located on Qionghuadao (Jade Island) include:
Bai Ta (White Dagoba)*
Hall of Ripples
Hall of Universal Peace
Yuegulou (Building for Reading Old Inscriptions)
Falundian (Hall of the Wheel of Law)
Yong’ansi (Temple of Eternal Peace)
Jingshan/Coal Hill Park (Jingshan gongyuan 京山公园
京山公园): Date:
•
Sights located within Jingshan Park:
Shouhuangdian (Hall of the Emperor’s Long Life)
Wanchungting (Pavilion of Everlasting Spring)
The top of Coal Hill/ Jingshan overlooks the Forbidden City*
Note: Beihai Park and Jingshan Park are in walking distance from each other.
Make sure to go to Jingshan Park on a clear weather day, in order to get a nice
view of the Forbidden City. Bus 685 from Beijing Zoo Bus Terminal stops at the
North entrance of the Forbidden City (provides great access to both Jingshan and
Beihai Parks.)
798 Art District (Yìshùqū 798艺艺区): Date:
The 798 Art District is located in Chaoyang District and is a fascinating place to visit for
the day to see contemporary art of all kinds. Many of the exhibitions that can be viewed
in this area tend to be thought-provoking and often classified as kitsch.
National Center of the Performing Arts (“The Egg”Guó jiā dà jù yuàn 国家大剧院 ):
Date:
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The National Center of the Performing Arts is an interesting building, both on the inside
and outside. Here one can witness the emergence of Beijing’s contemporary performing
art scene by attending a show or simply admire the unique architecture from the outside.
Lama Temple (Yonghegong 雍和宮): Date:
The Lama Temple is one of the most beautiful temples in Beijing. It is one of the largest
and most important Tibetan monasteries in the world. The ornate decorations and
intriguing history makes the Lama Temple a sight that should not be missed. Whether
practicing Tibetan Buddhism or just visiting, this temple is a magnificent place to spend a
few hours.
Fragrant Hills Park (Xiāngshān Gōngyuán 香山公园): Date:
The Fragrant Hills Park is a beautiful place to go for the day during the Spring or Fall.
The hills are covered with vibrant trees and lovely hiking paths. The best way to travel to
Xiāngshān Gōngyuán is by bus (Get more information from Wayne and Lynn).
中央电电台总部大楼):
CCTV Building Headquarters (中央
部大楼 Date:
The CCTV Building Headquarters is a unique and intriguing building in the skyline of
Beijing. This building offers a great view of the city from its visiting deck.
Donghuamen Nightmarket and Wangfujing (Wángfǔjǐng王府井
王府井)
王府井 Street: Date:
Donghuamen Night Market is open from 5:30pm-9pm (as of Fall 2011). It is a great place
to try exotic street food such as: scorpions, silk worms, bird’s nest soup, crickets, and
other out-of-the-ordinary foods. This night market tends to be a bit pricey and aimed at
tourists. Make sure the vendors treat you fair, only rarely are the prices negotiable.
Challenge yourself to eat something exotic!
Wangfujing is a fun yet highly-priced shopping street that offers everything from Nike
shoes and souvenirs to toy shops and malls.
Qianhai (Qiánhǎi 前海)
前海 and Houhai ( Hòuhǎi 后海)
后海 Lake: Date:
Qianhai is a fun yet relatively expensive restaurant and bar district. Take a walk down
Lotus Lane at night, and experience the ambiance of Beijing’s nightlife. Across the white
stone bridge between Qianhai and Houhai lakes is a fun shopping street. Here, one can
buy teapots and experience the delight of drinking tea at a traditional teahouse.
(Fuyuanguan is a great teahouse along the lane, located between the white bridge
between Qianhai and Houhai and the street Di’anmen Dajie to the east.)
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Drum Tower (Gǔlóu鼓楼
鼓楼)
鼓楼 and Bell Tower (Zhōnglóu 钟楼): Date:
Located to the east of Houhai, the drum and bell towers are other great historic sights,
marking the old sections of the city wall that previously surrounded the old city of
Beijing.
Beijing Zoo (Běijīng dòngwù yuán 北京动物园): Date:
Take bus 87 from the stop near WuMei to the Dongwuyuan (Beijing Zoo) stop. The Zoo
will be across the street. Make sure to visit the pandas!
Beijing Zoo Market (动物园服装批发市场): Date:
The Beijing Zoo Market is near the Beijing Zoo, and can also be accessed by bus 87. This
market is inside the building above the Beijing Zoo Bus Terminal. Make sure to bargain
for you desired price. Do not accept their first price unless it is on a price-tag, and
remember that you should arrive at or below one-quarter of the price they first stated
(Use your best judgment, sometimes they will make the price outrageously high; other
times, it will be close to fair and require little bargaining) Beijing Zoo Market is a great
place to buy local clothing, but if you are looking for souvenirs go to the Silk or Pearl
Market.
Silk Market (Xiùshuǐjiē 秀水街):
秀水街 Date:
The Silk Market is located at Yong’anli subway station. Here you will be able to find
name-brand clothing, along with various kinds of souvenirs including silk. Like any
market you go to, it is important to bargain the price, especially in the Silk Market where
the prices tend to be higher, aiming at tourists. Be wary and bargain hard!
Pearl Market (Hóngqiáo shìchǎng 红红市场): Date:
The Pearl Market is also a fun place to buy souvenirs and other items such as purses,
shoes, and select pieces of brand-name clothing. Pearls are also available to buy here and
bargaining is also expected. For some items where the price is marked, use your best
judgment deciding whether or not it is fair. The Pearl Market is a great place to buy
Chinese calligraphy and art paintings. It can be accessed by the Temple of Heaven East
Gate (Tiantan dongmen) subway station on line 5.
Antique Market (Pānjiāyuán 潘家园): Date:
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The Antique Market (Panjiayuan Jiuhuo Shichang 潘家园
潘家园旧货市场 ) is located along
Third Ring in the SE corner of the city. Here you can find various trinkets. Be wary
purchasing items as many of the stalls have the same items, and they may be false
antiques.
Tiananmen Square (Tia-n'a-nmén天安
天安门广场) and Qianmen Gate (Qiánmén 前门
Colloquial term: Zhèngyángmén): Date:
Tiananmen Square is one of the most iconic places in Beijing, hosting a picture of the
late Mao ZeDong. This is a great place to visit after the National Holiday in October as
the square will be decorated with massive flower arrangements and other ornamentation.
Qianmen gate once guarded the entry to the inner city of Beijing, and is located on the
north-south axis of the city. This gate was previously surrounded by the old city walls.
Wudaokou (Wǔdàokǒu五道口
五道口):
五道口 Date:
Wudaokou is a district that many university students choose to hang out, either at the
numerous Western-style cafes or at the bars and clubs. The main area of Wudaokou can
be accessed by the subway line 13, at Wudaokou station.
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