China Course in China, academic year 2020 – 2021

The Chinese Course gives you the opportunity to experience a different everyday life in China and for nine months study and practice the Chinese language. It also gives you an enticing insight into one of the world's oldest civilizations' exciting history and rich culture. At the same time, you will experience the pulse and the latest trends in a country that is developing and changing explosively. The course is

located in Kunming, the capital of the fascinating province of Yunnan in southwestern China.

Overall objectives of the course: • To give an overview of today's China and Chinese thinking through its history, philosophy, religion and culture. • Create reflection on the outside world, differences between countries and cultures and the view of man in the east and west. • To provide an introduction to the Chinese language through active language studies aimed at facilitating simple communication at everyday level. • To deepen the dialogue and understanding of beliefs and life issues from a Western perspective based on the TCG Nordica International Arts Center’s vision: “Stimulating reflection on human worth as expressed in various art forms”.

The course is based on the participants' curiosity and interest in learning about China and its language, history, culture and religion. The course is thematically arranged. Under each theme, which spans two to three weeks each, we seek knowledge together through lectures, literature, films, dialogues, study trips, workshops, study visits and meetings with people in their everyday lives. You will have the opportunity for a deeper understanding of China and its surroundings, see the world from a new perspective in the East-West meeting, and by comparing our different worldviews. The course is also about reflection, to deepen the understanding of oneself and one's background in meeting people from another culture and religion. First of all, we make this reflection from a Western Christian perspective. Conducting dialogue about beliefs and life issues with people from different backgrounds provides exciting insights into the lives and thinking of others. This is done through discussion with invited guests, through reflection exercises and study visits. Within the course you can choose from three different tracks: Culture, Language or Diaconia.

Culture Track For those who are interested in culture; music, song, instrument, dance, design or visual art.

You will have the opportunity to develop your own artistry in the meeting with people who share your passion. Whether you have a lot of experience in the cultural field or are simply interested in music, dance or art, this can be something for you during one school year in China. You will also have the opportunity to participate in workshops for children and young people in various arts. During the year you will have the opportunity to meet artists and learn from them. You can try different parts of Chinese culture such as calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, ethnic minority traditional dances, modern dance, and traditional Chinese instruments. We participate in various ways in the cultural events held at the TCG Nordica International Arts Center. It may be by assisting in the practical work around the stage or the gallery, for example with sound and light, setting up exhibitions or sometimes to be on stage. Some of our most talented students have been allowed to participate with their own artworks in TCG Nordica's exhibitions. You can deepen your own creation, discover other art forms and expressions, along with your classmates and with other young Chinese musicians, dancers and artists. "I really liked trying so many different practical things and art forms." “My lessons (in the Chinese string instrument Pipa) were very good and my teacher was fantastic. I really developed. " (former course participants)

Purpose • To provide a deeper understanding of art and culture. • Providing opportunities for in-depth knowledge of art, culture and creative work, guided by your own area of interest, on your own and / or in a group. • Give time and opportunity to develop your own creativity and artistry on your own and with international teachers.

• Creating the opportunity to develop workshops for children and young people, concerts, scenic performances, photo / art exhibitions together with artists, the staff at TCG Nordica or with the course participants. • Creating opportunities to meet and try out different Chinese cultural expressions in dance, image, crafts and music.

Language Track For those who are interested in languages, we offer a unique opportunity to study at a Swedish Folkhögskola with an introduction to the Chinese language.

Above all, we want to help you discover and study the Chinese language. The best way is to study Chinese right in China, where new opportunities are given every day to use your language skills, which provides great opportunities for rapid development. We are the only Folkhögskola that offers this opportunity to be challenged in a safe environment to test your ability and develop. The language studies are supplemented with studies on China as a country and its culture, which gives a more holistic view of the language and broadens your knowledge. Our teacher in Chinese is a university teacher in Kunming. Language teaching takes place within the framework of a formal collaboration between TCG Nordica International Arts Center and Yunnan University of Nationalities (Minzu). English skills are also developed during the year, as most lessons are in English and since English is the common language at the TCG Nordica. If you choose the Language Track you are also involved in helping Chinese people who are interested in learning English, through various activities such as "English Club". “I think Chinese is great fun! It's something I want to develop in the future. " "Very good Chinese lessons! Good pace of education. Easy to get individual help and a good atmosphere." “I really liked our teacher. She adapted to us and really tried to explain until we understood. And she became a good friend. " (former course participants)

Purpose • To provide an introduction to the Chinese language through active language studies aimed at coping with everyday communication. • Provide the opportunity to practice Chinese language in everyday life in various contexts on location in China and through active relationship-building activities. • Provide the opportunity to develop your language skills in both English and Chinese by developing different types of language communication through eg. English Club at TCG Nordica.

Diacona Track For those interested in international diaconal work and issues of faith.

A school year in China is a great opportunity for personal development, and offers many surprises and challenges. The comfort zone of life is expanding almost every day, and our course is very much about giving you the opportunity to grow as a human being. We also want the Diaconia Track to become a springboard further in life for you. China is a very different country for us coming from Scandinavia. There is everything from culture and language to laws, rules and community building. All this gives you unique opportunities to be challenged, shaped by what you encounter in China and thus developed. In the Diaconia Track, we meet for breakfast fellowship one morning a week and then deepen our understanding of ourselves and who we are in our faith. Then we focus on our fellow human beings. We invite interesting people to tell about their lives and give us practical insights. The intensive studies are based on pre-recorded lectures on video and follow up with home assignments and conversations. During the week you usually have the opportunity to internship time, for example at a local organization, assisting vulnerable groups in the community. Another important element of a week's learning is the personal reflection with journal writing. Here you reflect on the theory you have just learned, the conversations we have had and what you have been through during the week, drawing your own conclusions and deciding if you want to raise something the next class. You will get a mentor. “I have learned so much and I am extremely pleased that I went. It has enriched my life and it has been so cool to fulfill my dream of meeting new people and living abroad for a long time ” “Very good study! A very good study program. The theological as well as the practical level is good. Also provides space for spiritual life. The book we used in the studies was good. I have learned a lot!" “Volunteering was great! I loved being at my NGO ” (former course participants)

Purpose • Providing the opportunity to deepen your Christian faith through Scripture study, mentoring and meeting people from the Chinese Church. • Provide insights and understanding of today's China in terms of development work, through various study visits, mainly in the city of Kunming. • Develop a dialogue with people with different beliefs and views of life than your own. Provide opportunities for different kinds of volunteering.

Important to know Kunming The course is located in Kunming, the capital of the amazing Yunnan Province in southwestern China. Yunnan is home to at least 25 of China's 56 officially recognised ethnicities. The climate is partly subtropical and both the landscape and the culture are rich and unique, making the province a popular tourist destination in China. Kunming is a fast growing city where today there are around 7 million people. China is a fascinating country in the midst of a changing era of change and development. You will experience old and new, history and modernization and many surprises.

TCG Nordica International Arts Center We have our classroom at TCG Nordica International Arts Center, a Chinese-Scandinavian culture center in southern Kunming. The location gives us a unique opportunity to meet the locals of all ages in a large newly built complex in the new Raintown district. TCG Nordica is a meeting place for people from east and west, for families with children and young people, artists, musicians, dancers, students and volunteers. There, new cultural events are presented all year round; exhibitions, concerts, lectures, performances and workshops. The events cater to all ages with a rich cultural selection. TCG Nordica's educational activities are growing through the "Arts Academy", which started in the fall of 2019, with course activities for children and their parents. The vision for TCG Nordica International Arts Center is “Stimulating reflection on human worth as expressed in various art forms”. The purpose of the Culture center is to be a meeting place between East and West and to stimulate reflection on life issues through the various events that take place. It is run by Chinese and international staff responsible for education, gallery and various stage performances with music and dance.

Practical work An important part of the course is the practice at TCG Nordica. Scheduled time for lessons and teacher-scheduled time is about 20 h per week and in addition to that comes volunteer time at TCG Nordica. Most of that work happens in the evenings when TCG Nordica holds many of its events. The workload varies widely from week to week and throughout the academic year. Through the practical work together with the culture center's staff and volunteers, you will have the opportunity to meet Chinese people and practice languages as well as the opportunity to meet new friends. As a student, you participate in the planning and implementation of various culture programs at TCG Nordica.

Study trips We know that learning by experiencing is successful. Our study trips are therefore important and appreciated. The first trip goes to Beijing on the journey from Sweden / Scandinavia to China. The other goes to Puer and XiShuangBanna in southern Yunnan. And the third to Dali and Shangri-La in the north of the province. We visit people from different contexts and environments and learn about their culture. The colourful Yunnan province is known for its diversity of minority people and beautiful scenery, which makes the study trips filled with strong impressions and are much appreciated. Yunnan Province borders Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar/Burma. During the breaks you have the opportunity to visit these countries with your fellow students, if you wish.

Other information Application and admission Minimum age is 19 years (with possible exemption from 18 years) and up. It is an advantage if you have study experience from high school, have the ability to independently drive your studies forward and have completed upper secondary education. The course is given at the upper secondary level Make your application on the website. If you have any questions, contact evalotta.larsson@hylliepark.se. We have continuous admission until May 29. Once we receive your application, we will contact you and make an appointment for a Skype interview. The course leader is in China but with Skype it is possible to meet. During the interview we will ask questions about you as a person and you are of course also given the opportunity to ask questions about the course and its content. After the interview you will be notified if you have been accepted by e-mail. Next, you confirm your spot by paying a non-refundable registration fee of SEK 2000 to PlusGiro 59 77 97-0. Enter the "China Course" and your name on the payment. Friday, May 29, 2020, we have Information day for the 2020-2021 academic year. Then this year's China Course participants will come home from China and to Hyllie Park Folk Högskola in Malmö. They will give a presentation of their year in China that morning, for you as an applicant to the course. You are welcome to attend and after the presentation you will receive more information about the course, meet with leaders and other applicants and have the opportunity to ask more questions. It will also be an opportunity for us to hold further interviews if needed. By June 15, you will then pay an additional SEK 3000 which together with the previous SEK 2000 will be a prepayment for the air ticket.

Course start The course starts on Monday, August 17, 2020 at Hyllie Park Folk High School in Malmö and after a couple of days introductory course, the entire course group travels together to Beijing. There we start with a few study days before flying on to Kunming.

Course

• Autumn term: August 17 - December 31, 2020 • Spring term: January 4 - May 28, 2021 • Study breaks (National Day and Chinese New Year) • Full time studies

Student aid As a Swedish citizen you can apply for study aid. If you are under 20 you can also apply for accommodation supplement. If you have access to e-credentials, you can apply for study funding directly at CSN.se. When you apply for the course as a Swedish citizen, you indicate whether you also want to apply for study funding. When applying, you should know that this course is a Swedish course and that the name is "Kinakurs". (NOTE: You are therefore not applying for study abroad, "utlandsstudier”, since it is a Swedish course that is just located in another country).

Costs The Chinese currency is RMB / CNY / Yuan. It is easy to withdraw cash from ATMs with Visa or Master Card. Cash is used everywhere and it is rarely possible to pay by credit card. In November 2019 the exchange rate was 100 SEK = 72 CNY Tuition fee The tuition fee is CNY 2500 / semester. It covers study trips and educational materials. Students pay for textbooks themselves, which is cheap in China. You pay cash on the spot in Kunming. Flights The return ticket from Copenhagen to Kunming costs about 10 - 12000 SEK. Usually, the school helps to book the return ticket from Copenhagen to Beijing. The course leader in Kunming will then book the ticket from Beijing to Kunming and therefore, these tickets will be paid separately. Accommodation The students share a furnished apartment centrally in Kunming. The rent is about 1500 CNY per month x 10 months. It includes water, gas, electricity and the internet. (Drinking water not included) Food Food is relatively cheap in China. An estimate is that you can manage between 1500 - 2000 CNY per month. Transportation Traveling by bus or subway in Kunming is easy and cheap. A trip usually costs 2 - 6 CNY. But the best is perhaps to ride a bike. A simpler, new bike can be purchased for about 600 CNY. Visa and residence permit During the summer, you apply for a student visa yourself. Last school year, the cost for this in Sweden was SEK 1300. During September-October, this visa is then converted into a residence permit. This is done through the University of Nationalities in Kunming, where you are enrolled as a student in Chinese. A residence permit gives you an unlimited number of entry and exit trips to China and costs about 3300 CNY. The fee is paid to the University of Nationalities and includes a health examination, residence permit, administrative cost and insurance, which the university requires. New, minor, unforseen charges that are mandatory may occur in China at short notice. More information about the visa process will be given, among other things, during the information day in May.

Vaccination Contact your local vaccination clinic. Insurance Insurance is purchased through your own or family's home insurance or through European (ERV) and costs about SEK 28 per day. More information will be provided when we meet.

In case of further questions please contact: Eva Lotta Larsson Study advisor Phone 040-37 59 60 evalotta.larsson@hylliepark.se

Sofia Rizell Course leader sofia.rizell@hylliepark.se

Make a dream come true ... Study in China during a school year! Check out our Facebook page KINAKURS as well as Instagram Mitt (i) Kina and get a feel for what an exciting year with us in China might look like!