Study Abroad in Chinese Language Flagship
Total immersion in the language and culture through study abroad creates success in the flagship program.
"One of my most memorable experiences comes from my Capstone year, specifically taking a road trip with my Taiwanese friend and his family. We got to see the ocean, visit temples and traditional markets, eat stinky tofu. and get lost in the rice fields. Their generosity and kindness really made me feel welcomed in Taiwan, and I'm forever grateful to them for sharing their time and culture with me."
Sarah Hall (B.A. in Chinese, minors in Korean and Global Security Studies '24)
International Student Advisor, UM Croft Institute for International Studies
First Summer After Freshman Year
Tamkang University (TKU) in Taipei, Taiwan
Flagship students spend the summer following their freshman year at Tamkang University in Taipei, Taiwan. It focuses on intensive Chinese languages courses. This program prepares students for the Oral Proficiency Interviews (OPI), and takes students on several excursions around the capital city and across island country. Housing is located in on-site apartments, and the staff cooks daily meals that feature the local cuisine. See State Department travel advisory status and other country information.
Application | The deadline for application is early March. |
Proficiency Requirements | There are no minimum proficiency standards to attend TKU. |
Housing | Students live in TKU housing provided near campus, which consists of fully furnished apartments with kitchenettes and access to laundry. |
Curriculum | TKU offers courses in Mandarin Chinese, and accommodates learners from beginners to advanced. Students also participate in numerous cultural activities and excursions, and allows for time to explore the capital of Taipei with your cohort. |
Scholarships and Costs | The University of Mississippi often provides scholarships for Chinese Flagship students to study abroad for one summer. Students are also encouraged to seek outside funding. (See below) Scholarships are sometimes awarded but never guaranteed to non-Flagship students. Program Cost: $9,400 (2024)* Includes tuition, textbooks, apartment housing, 2 meals a day, program fees, cultural excursions and activities, travel stipends, hotel, SIM card, and international health insurance *The represented program cost also includes estimates for round-trip airfare to the TKU program in Taipei. |
Subsequent Summers or Semesters Abroad
Following the sophomore year of study at UM, students will embark on yet another Summer Abroad in Taiwan. Rather than a required summer program at TKU, they have the option to choose a program that best fits their needs and program of study. Listed below are a few of the popular programs that are Flagship approved, and the majority of our UM Chinese Flagship students participate in during their second summer abroad in Taiwan.
CET Taiwan
The CET Taiwan program is held at National Taiwan University (NTU) and located in Taipei, Taiwan. It includes intensive Chinese languages courses, and a variety of elective courses are also available.
Application | The deadline for application is 1 March. |
Proficiency Requirements | There are no minimum proficiency standards to attend CET. |
Tamkang University (TKU)
Many of our students elect to return to TKU for their second summer abroad. The requirements are the same as described above. TKU is also where the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) recipients study during their time in Taiwan.
Application | The deadline for application is early March. |
Proficiency Requirements | There are no minimum proficiency standards to attend TKU. |
International Chinese Language Program (ICLP) at National Taiwan University
The ICLP Program is also located in Taipei, Taiwan, at National Taiwan University. This is the most intensive and most selective summer program for Chinese language study. We consistently have a select few students from each cohort participate in this program
Application | The priority deadline is 10 January, with the deadline for general applications on 1 March. |
Proficiency Requirements | While there are no designated proficiency standards to attend ICLP, they are highly selective based on language proficiency and require a total immersion language pledge. |
Study Abroad in Taiwan
The glittering spire of Taipei 101 and the neon lights of downtown skyscrapers in the heart of Taiwan’s vibrant capital city, Taipei
UM students visit Lukang to explore the history of the ancient town and the heart of Taiwanese beliefs through its temples
Historic Taoist temple, the Jiufen Qingyun Temple, at Jiufen Old Street in Taipei, Taiwan
UM students wear traditional Taiwanese indigenous clothing and experience the Harvest Festival Dance
Entrance to Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei, featuring many different kinds of goods and food stalls
Students ride a bamboo raft to explore Taiwan's ecology at Sicao wetlands
Red lanterns at Sanfong Temple in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
UM Students represent their school pride while touring Taiwan.
The iconic Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge, a pedestrian bridge connecting Sanxiantai Island and the Taiwan East Coast Beach.
Students make Hakka Lei Cha, which uses tea leaves, herbs, nuts, seeds, and grains ground with a mortar and pestle
Spring and Autumn pavilion on Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Students try different kinds of traditional Chinese clothing
Beautiful Sakura Garden in Taipei, Taiwan
Capstone Year in Taiwan
The Flagship experience culminates in the Capstone year, a twelve-month study abroad experience in Taipei, Taiwan, during which time students participate in intensive language coursework, community service, and a professional internship to facilitate a smooth transition to using Chinese in their future careers. UM currently ensures full funding for Flagship students accepted into the Capstone program. The Chinese Flagship Overseas Capstone Program, currently located in National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taiwan and administered by Hunter College.
Taipei Chinese Flagship Center
Intensive Coursework | UM Chinese Flagship students join Flagship students from partner schools across the country to attend Capstone language classes at the Flagship overseas site National Chengchi University (NCCU) located in Taipei. Coursework includes language classes in traditional and simplified Chinese, as well as content courses in the target language. |
Internship and Service | Students gain practical language experience by participating in a professional internship. Examples of internship sites include a local news station, a social development institution, a private clinic, a public bath house, a marketing agency, various tech companies and in primary/secondary education. |
Language Partners | Students work one-on-one with talented language instructors as well as with native-speaking conversation partners. Tutoring with instructors is two hours a week during the summer and fall, and increases to three hours a week in the spring. Chinese language partners meet with the students for three hours a week and show them their favorite spots in the city, teaching them about the culture, and practicing the language in situ as often as possible. |
Housing | Students have various options for housing on and off campus during the Capstone year. |
| Cultural Excursions | Capstone students explore Taiwan’s diverse landscape and unique history. Excursions include travel organized by the Capstone sponsors, as well as trips to go whale-watching, hiking, and to various cultural sites across the island. Additionally, students enjoy the autonomy to travel with other students in their spare time and during the holiday breaks. |