The Chinese program at Transylvania University leads students to learn not only the language, but also the fascinating tapestry of Chinese cultural tradition and modern and contemporary Chinese literature and films. Sitting at the heart of urban Lexington, Kentucky, Transy is the perfect place to start learning Chinese and apply that knowledge and skill in local and global internships and job opportunities. Combining a Chinese major or a Chinese/Asian Studies minor with another discipline will broaden your learning at Transylvania and add flexibility and competitiveness for future job opportunities!
Our graduates work in the United Nations, the government, international business companies, international law firms, or as certified translators for hospitals and businesses, and become language teachers or Asian art or Asian philosophy specialists. Many have gone on to graduate studies in a variety of disciplines, including Chinese studies, translation studies, Asian films and TV drama, international relations, foreign affairs, international business, international law, Asian philosophy, Asian Art, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Student Research Grants
Transylvania University offers generous funding—up to $4,000—to support students on faculty-guided research projects. The Chinese program encourages students to work closely with faculty mentors to design and pursue their own research projects abroad, while they gain first-hand learning experiences in Sinophone cultures. The Transylvania Student Research Grant will help cover travel, lodging and other essential expenses. Imagine yourself conducting impactful research on site in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Singapore, and other parts of the Chinese-speaking world.
Where Our Graduates Have Studied
- UCLA
- New York University
- University of Texas
- Johns Hopkins University
- Middlebury College
- National Chengchi University (Taiwan)
- Shaaxi Normal University (Xi’an, China)
Possible Career Options
- Professor or teacher
- Writer or editor
- Translator or Cultural liaison
- Foreign Affairs or Diplomatic staff
- International business
- International Law
- International Education/Exchange coordinator
- Global Market research
- Asian art specialist
- East Asian Medicine specialist
- Area specialist at the United Nations
- International NGOs
Semester Study Abroad Opportunities
- China
- Taiwan
These GlobalTransy programs have at least two courses related to the major.
Interested in studying abroad for a summer? Take a look at our summer study abroad opportunities.
National Scholarships, Awards and Fellowships Our Students Have Received
- Fulbright Research Award (only 1 each year from the US, for graduate study at National Political Science University, Taiwan)
- Critical Language Scholarship, Shenyang site, China
- Critical Language Scholarship, Taipei site, Taiwan
- Critical Language Scholarship, Qingdao site, China
- Boren Scholarship
- Fulbright Teaching Fellowship, Lugang, Taiwan
- Gilman Scholarship, Taipei, Taiwan
- KIIS Summer Studying Abroad in China Scholarship
- KIIS Summer Studying Abroad in Taiwan Scholarship
Scholarships for Studying Abroad
- Chinese Program Special Scholarship for Studying Abroad (an external grant for supporting Transylvania students engaging in language learning in mainland China, or Taiwan)
- Short-term Mandarin Immersion Study Group Scholarship (MOE, Taiwan)
- Chinese Language Enrichment Program Scholarship (MOE, Taiwan)
- Chinese Semester Program Scholarship (MOE, Taiwan)
- Kentucky Institute for International Studies (KIIS) Scholarship
- KIIS Transylvania Scholarship
These scholarships are in addition to other Transylvania study abroad scholarships, awards, financial aid and loans. Contact the Chinese program, and the Office of Global and Intercultural Engagement for more information.
Contacts
Qian Gao,
Professor of Chinese Language and Culture
Transylvania University
Carpenter Academic Center 302A
300 North Broadway Lexington, KY 40508-1797
Phone: (859) 233-8283