UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Academics & Course Information

Calligraphy LessonsWhile in China, you will find yourself an important member of our community of scholars. There is much to learn in China and, as such, our expectations of you will be high. You will be expected to be an active participant in your own learning, using the local Chinese environment as a laboratory, and incorporating this learning into your classroom experience.

You will enroll in 13-17 credits while in China. 9 of these credits will be fulfilled in three 3-credit courses offered in a module format throughout the semester. Courses taken in a module format run approximately three weeks. 1 credit will be fulfilled in a 1-credit module course that runs one week. These courses are offered one-at-a-time. Your final required 3-credit course will be China: Society & Cultural Immersion, a wide-ranging course that explores different aspects of Chinese society. Lastly, you will have the option to enroll in a 4-credit Mandarin language course. This course is open to all skill levels, from beginner to intermediate. The China: Society & Cultural Immersion and Mandarin language courses run throughout the entire semester to provide ongoing context to your international experience.

Upcoming Courses Frequently Asked Questions

Upcoming Courses

Courses offered during each term of the Experience China program vary based on the disciplines of the faculty selected to teach in the program. For more information on the courses offered during the term you are interested in, please click on the appropriate term below. Additional information on equivalents and required textbooks will be updated as information is received from partner schools and faculty.

In addition to the courses offered, you can structure the Experience China program to fit your academic needs by utilizing internships and independent studies. If you are interested in learning more about these options, please contact the Experience China administrative office for more information.

Spring 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time in my college career to study abroad?

The answer to this question will be different for every student. The Experience China program enrolls students ranging from first-year students to last-semester seniors. We encourage you to discuss your interest in study abroad with your academic advisor as early as possible (even if you are not planning to study abroad until later in college), so you can develop a plan to ensure your participation in the program does not negatively impact your on-campus degree requirements.

Many Experience China courses fulfill general education requirements at our various partner schools. Previous students have found they have the greatest flexibility for participating in the program when they have a greater number of general education requirements still left to fulfill in their degree plan. For some students this means participating in their first or second year of college, whereas other students have saved these credits for their third and fourth years to allow for this flexibility.

How do I choose my classes?

With the guidance of your academic advisor, you will select your courses for the Experience China program as part of your online application process. Every attempt is made to accommodate students' first choices, however no guarantees can be made. You will be notified of your final class schedule typically within one month of the application deadline. If you did not receive one of your first choices and you need the class to graduate, please notify the Experience China administrative office.

How do I register for my classes?

You will receive email guidance from the Experience China administrative office on how to register for your courses. This guidance is typically sent within a month after the application deadline. You can also reference the following how-to for additional guidance.

How will my courses transfer to my home campus?

You will find information regarding Experience China course equivalents on the "Courses" page for the term you are interested in. In the right-hand column, beside the course description and textbook requirements, there is a list of course equivalents at various partner schools. If your campus is not listed, or does not have an equivalent listed, you are encouraged to speak with your academic advisor for guidance on how your courses will transfer to your campus.

How do I know what textbooks to order?

You will be required to obtain the necessary textbooks for the course offerings you will be taking. Once you receive your final class schedule from the Experience China administrative office you can refer to the "Courses" page for the term you are participating in for specific information regarding your required textbooks. Located below each course description, in the left-hand column, on this page are textbook details, including edition number and ISBN. It is your responsibility to bring the textbooks with you and/or obtain them prior to the first day of classes. Many previous students have chosen to purchase used textbooks to minimize their textbook costs.

Can I add and/or drop courses after the application deadline?

Schedule changes can usually be accommodated. If you know you would like to switch courses before departing for China, contact the Experience China administrative office for assistance in changing your schedule. An add/drop period is also available once you arrive to China. The Chinese Program Coordinator (CPC) will assist with this process.

What library facilities are available?

There are limited English-language library resources available in China. Academic resources are available on the internet, and you will continue to have access to all online resources through your home campus library.