At ZJU: Studying away from the U.S. for Chinese students

[Editor’s note: In response to the pandemic challenge, Zhejiang University has collaborated with its partner universities to develop innovative models and reinvent the international exchange programs. As of September 10, the Zhejiang University International Campus in Haining had accepted 300-plus Chinese students from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Cornell University. They are unable to pursue their studies in the United States for the time being due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall semester, they will study at ZJU as exchange students.]

On the morning of September 10, GAO Heyan, a freshman majoring in hospitality management at Cornell University, completed all the registration procedures. He will study and live on the ZJU International Campus as an exchange student for the fall semester.

“More than 30 freshmen from Cornell University will enter Zhejiang University this fall semester. Here we will have a chance to experience a different campus life. Otherwise, we would have to learn remotely alone at home,” GAO said.

Cornell exchange students sharing their first impression of the ZJU International Campus

Cornell University has launched a “Study Away” program for its international students. Chinese students like GAO, who cannot go to the US due to travel restrictions and visa processing delays, can apply to 8 top universities in China, including Tsinghua University, Peking University and Zhejiang University, where they enroll in the in-person courses from the host institution while working on their home university online courses.

ZJU offers general education courses to UIUC and Cornell exchange students.

"We have long-term cooperation and interaction with many American universities,” said WANG Yufen, Director of the Office of Student Affairs on the Zhejiang University International Campus, “This group of Chinese students will be entitled to the same kind of campus services as Zhejiang University students. Teachers and teaching assistants are available for offline discussions for these students. Meanwhile, Zhejiang University also offers such courses in liberal education as modern Chinese history and intercultural communication to them.”

UIUC exchange students setting foot on the ZJU International Campus 

"The Zhejiang University International Campus boasts a fantastic environment, where I can work out in the gym, swim, and play basketball with other schoolmates. The school also offers some offline courses so as to prepare us better for study in the United States," said ZOU Jiaru, a freshman majoring in civil and environmental engineering at UIUC.