Overview

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, formerly known as AsiaLearn, offers a summer study abroad with National University of Singapore - Extension.

Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world. In fact, it is the native language of one out of five people in the world. As more and more international corporations cover grounds in China, being able to speak this increasingly important language is definitely an asset. Where is the best place to learn Mandarin without feeling like a fish out of water? In Singapore, of course, where you can learn with ease in a bilingual environment. 

Embark on a 6-week summer program learning Mandarin and Southeast Asian Studies in one of the region’s leading nation-cities – Singapore. In this program, you will attend a robust and fun 100 hours of Mandarin curriculum (classes available from beginner to advanced) and 48 hours of Chinese and Southeast Asian history and cultural studies (conducted in English). Besides learning Mandarin, you will uncover the diversity and richness of Chinese and Southeast Asian cultures through lectures, films, documentaries, seminars, field trips and workshops.

This program is tailored to students of any discipline who wish to learn Mandarin, or increase their skills, and gain valuable insights into Southeast Asia during their summer break. No prior knowledge of the Mandarin language is required.

Click on the photo to hear from former participants and learn about all the activities, excursions and classroom learning opportunities during the Asian Perspective program!  

Want to learn more about study abroad in Singapore?

Location

The Asian Perspective: Learn Mandarin and Uncover Southeast Asia is offered by the National University of Singapore and is located in Singapore. 

Singapore is both a country and a city with 4.5 million people and four official languages: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English. Malay is the national language and English is the language of business. The standard of living in Singapore is among the highest in Asia, with state-of-the-art facilities for education, shopping, sports, and recreation.

Learn more about Singapore.

Academic Highlights

Course Description - subject to Change  

Learning Objectives

• To pick up the basics in conversational, reading and writing Mandarin skills, or improve your skills in a higher level language course. (View Language Level Descriptions)
• To appreciate the Chinese cultural heritage.
• To learn the history and culture of Southeast Asia.

What You Will Learn: You will study Mandarin in daily morning lessons. In the afternoon, there will be lessonson Chinese and Southeast Asian history and cultures. Learn the art and technique of brewing Chinese tea at a teahouse, learn how to make dumplings, attempt brushstrokes in our Chinese calligraphy class, and discover the therapeutic power of acupuncture. There will also be lecture discourses covering the history and national identities of Southeast Asia, as well as the integration of people in the region.                                 

Lessons are not confined to the classrooms. You will actively participate in fieldtrips to local museums and places of worships, attend workshops. 

Course Load

• 100 Hours of Mandarin (Conducted in Mandarin)
• 48 Hours of Chinese and Southeast Asian History and Cultural Studies (Conducted in English)
• Earn approximately 6 U.S. credits (dependent upon home university) 

Certain afternoons are reserved for self-revision, field trips, and activiteis. There will also be plenty of chances during the weekends for you to explore Singapore and neighbouring islands and countries. Assessment Besides regular assignments, there will be an oral and written assessment for the Mandarin component only. Effective Class Size Mandarin classes will be kept at a maximum of 20 students to ensure quality and interactive participation. We may open up to a maximum of 5 classes. 

Want to learn more about study abroad in Singapore?

Housing

Students will stay in either a Dorm Style Accommodation (Metropolitan Y) or a Hostel Style Accommodation (Novena Hall). Housing assignments are based on availability, so other dorms/hostels may be used for placements as well.
 

Single rooms may be available, but are never guaranteed. Generally students will be placed in a twin-share or triple-share room.

EXAMPLES OF HOUSING OPTIONS:

Metropolitan Y
Metropolitan Y is a dormitory-style accommodation just 15 minutes from campus. Guests at The Metro-Y can enjoy hotel facilities (at The Metropolitan Y) like internet computer, free wireless internet access at lounge, self-operating launderette (with washer/dryer machines/iron/board), a restaurant and a sundry shop. There are also drinks/tidbits vending machines. Access to the Dormitory is secured with key card system.

Male and female dormitories are separate with male and female (key card access only) bathrooms at different floors. All guests have their own wardrobes with hangers, reading lights and lie on sturdy beds.

Novena Hall
Novena Hall is an international hostel located at Novena, just a few subway stations away from the school. Located at the heart of Newton, District 11, they are just a stone's throw away from the Novena MRT (subway), making it extremely convenient to commute to any part of the island. Only 5 minutes away from Orchard Road, this prime location commands a class of city dwelling with all modern amenities within reach and, yet the hostel provides a cozy and quiet living environment which only the people in Newton can be proud of.

There is free wireless internet on the ground floor lobby. Novena is well secured with access card and is clean and tidy.

Want to learn more about study abroad in Singapore?

Scholarships Available

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad strives to offer the most reasonable abroad fees to Asia.  To further enhance the affordability of the semester/year study abroad programs, we encourage you to apply for scholarships through all available scholarship sources.  Learn more about our scholarship opportunities.

Special Programs/Excursions

During the Asian Perspective program you will have the opportunity to participate in some wonderful field trips and activities with other participants and NUS staff. Some of the activities from past programs included:

• Visit to St Andrew’s Cathedral, one of Singapore’s oldest church with splendid architecture
• Adventures in Fort Canning Park
• Make dumplings as part of a lesson on traditional Chinese festivals
• A river cruise to explore more of Singapore
• Learn the technique of brewing Chinese tea at a teahouse
• Fieldtrips to local museums and places of worships

*Activities are subject to change and may cost an additional fee

AsiaLearn is there to help you through every step of the study abroad process! This includes making sure you are prepared for your time abroad! Due to the short length of the summer programs we are not able to offer our renowned multi-day orientation known as the Bridging Cultures Program. However we do still offer services that are tailored to helping you have the best experience possible. These include one-on-one pre-departure advising and group webinars prior your departure. The goal of the webinar is to help answer any final questions you may have and to fully prepare you for a summer of personal, social, academic, cultural, and professional Discovery!

Get Involved Abroad

Community Involvement

We understand that it can be difficult to find time during a short summer program to really become involved with the community however we challange you to at least try and discover where the experience may take you. It's an awesome way to meet locals, experience the true Singaporean culture, and create long lasting memories. From volunteering to festival-going, we challenge you to make the most of your international experience... See a how to live like a local and become involved with community activities available in Singapore or discover your own upon arrival!

 

Enhance your Experience

Global Citizens Development Modules

The new Global Citizen Development modules are online learning components designed to help you explore your study abroad destination and experience at a whole new level. These modules are not mandatory, however we strongly encourage your participation as they will introduce you to the opportunities and challenges you may encounter when participating in a study abroad program, as well as expose you to cultural insights and knowledge about your host country to help make your program abroad even more successful and fulfilling. Through the 3 modules, you will refine your skills in cross-cultural observation, adaptation, and communication. 

 Learn the Local Language!

• LiveMocha - Prior to departure you will receive information and instruction for, LiveMocha, an online language learning program to help you learn your host language. Learn at varying levels and at your own speed. Get started now!
• Additional Language Resources - To even further your language skill take a look at some of these optional language learning tools.
• Lonely Planet Guide & Phrase Book - For both language learning and culture/history/country specific inforamton you will receive a Lonely Planet Guide and Phase book before departure, which will allow you to start planning your adventures and learning how to communicate with locals.

Being Prepared for your Time Abroad

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad is there to help you through every step of the study abroad process! This includes making sure you are prepared for your time abroad! Due to the short length of the summer programs we are not able to offer our renowned multi-day orientation known as the Bridging Cultures Program. However we do still offer services that are tailored to helping you have the best experience possible. These include one-on-one pre-departure advising and group webinars prior your departure. The goal of the webinar is to help answer any final questions you may have and to fully prepare you for a summer of personal, social, academic, cultural, and professional Discovery!

Course Schedule

• To view the course schedule Click Here.
• Asian Perspective 2010 Newsletter - hear from former participants and learn about all the exciting opportunities you could have during the program!

Photo Slideshow

Photos of students during the Asian Perspective: Learn Mandarin and Uncover Southeast Asia summer program.

Fees

Fee Includes

Program Fees are in US dollars and include tuition, accommodation, course materials, orientation, fieldtrips, cultural activities, on-campus student fees, official transcript, overseas health coverage, introductory survival language training, program activities, and pre-trip services such as: orientation materials, personal advising, subject selections, liaison with your home university, credit transfer assistance, financial aid services, and alumni support.

Fee Advice

Dates

Entry Requirements

Programs in Asia Coordinator

Name: David Grove Title: Manager, Programs in Asia Department: Asia Programs Team BIO: David is the Manager for Summer, Semester, and Year abroad programs in Asia. A former alumnus of AustraLearn, David studied abroad at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand. He has traveled extensively in New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. David holds a B.S. in Psychology from Appalachian State University in North Carolina, and when not in the office is either biking, playing sports, or enjoying the mountains.