In the International Studies Program for the Chinese-Speaking World, students acquire practical Chinese language skills and knowledge of China and develop the ability to explore aspects of China according to their own objectives and interests. This program seeks to develop capable individuals who can use the knowledge they have acquired in the Faculty of Business and Commerce to engage with China on a deep level in the future. The People's Republic of China has a long and rich history. It is home to the world's largest population and has an area comparable to that of Europe west of the Ural Mountains. It is an ethnically diverse country, with Han Chinese making up about 90% of the population and other ethnic minorities comprising the rest. It is also linguistically complex, with many local dialects and languages spoken alongside the national language. In addition to mainland China, the Chinese-speaking world has expanded considerably, encompassing Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and numerous Chinese communities scattered throughout the world. To truly understand the depth and breadth of the Chinese-speaking world requires multidisciplinary knowledge. If you are interested in the Chinese-speaking world and the Chinese language, you will feel at home in this program. The following are a sample of the main courses recognized by the International Studies Program for the Chinese-Speaking World, excluding Chinese language courses. Other recognized courses are also available, so please inquire using the course eligibility inquiry form.
Student Voices
Knock on the Door to the Chinese-Speaking World/Asahihiro Numajiri 2018 Program Participant
The first decision I made as a university student was to take on the challenge of the International Studies Program, joining just following the Keio entrance ceremony. As a beginning Chinese student, the first thing you do is learn pronunciation, which was extremely difficult for me. However, I made rapid progress thanks to the highly motivated classmates and professors around me who provided precise and careful instruction. In addition to my studies in the program, I also studied abroad in Shanghai for one month, and was able to pass Level 5 of the HSK Chinese Proficiency Test upon my return. The seminars held in small groups also helped me deepen my understanding of China's economy and society. Based on these experiences and my professors’ guidance, I am currently studying abroad on a student exchange program to increase my Chinese language proficiency and my understanding of business in China. This program enables you to sharpen your language skills and hone your expertise, so you can open the door to the Chinese-speaking world.