Students interested in learning more about international communications and media might consider applying for the University’s three-week study abroad program in China, which focuses on Chinese international media.

Shuhua Zhou, professor and associate dean of graduate studies in the College of Communication and Information Sciences, led a small group of students on a study abroad trip to China in 2009. He said he hopes to revive the program this summer with 15 spots available. He highlighted the chance to have a rare glimpse into Chinese media, as well as other aspects of the culture.

(See also “Program creates exchange with China“)

“The program offers unique opportunities to get inside Chinese news media, normally not accessible even to the Chinese,” Zhou said. “Students can talk to producers, reporters, directors and even engineers and get first-hand perspectives. Outside the class activities, they have tons of fun exploring a culture that is so mysterious, rich and fascinating.”

The program is based out of three universities in China: The People’s University in Beijing, Shanghai Jaiotong University in Beijing and Xi’an Jiaotong University in Xi’an. Students take a mass communications course in international media as well as a digital media course relevant to their major. They also have the chance to get a closer look at Chinese media outlets, including China Central Television, the Xinhua News Agency and Sina Corportation, which is a Chinese online media company.

Ashley Atwell, who participated in the program in 2009, currently works in digital media for the NBA. The NBA has a partnership with Sina, and Atwell said the early look at the company as well as Chinese culture has given her a leg up in her current position.

(See also “America needs to stop worrying about China’s rise to world power“)

“On our study abroad trip we visited Sina, so I was familiar with the media company,” Atwell said. “At the NBA, we worked with Sina to build all 30 team sites on their platform in China and are currently working to get all teams on Sina Weibo [similar to Facebook and Twitter]. It was valuable for me to have visited China and to understand the culture because there are millions of NBA fans there, and it helps me to best serve the fans.”

The program also makes time for excursions to many notable Chinese locations, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an.

Melanie Gray, a 2009 participant, said the trip to the Great Wall was one of her favorite memories.

“We met the Harlem Globetrotters on the Great Wall of China,” she said. “They were filming all over the world to advertise their new tour. It was so random, but they climbed the wall with us and taught us some of their tricks.”

Gray also praised the program’s destination as a benefit to her recent work in the hospitality industry.

“I think China is definitely a less traditional country to choose [for study abroad], but China is going through a major development boom,” Gray said.

Applications for this year’s China study abroad trip are due March 1.

(See also “Engineering student to travel to China for competition“)