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History of the Program
The Zylphia Shu-En Kirk Endowment was
established in 1999 by RU alumnus and University Rector R.J. Kirk. The program, named in
honor of Mr. Kirk's daughter, enables selected Radford University students
to travel to China and study the culture while continuing their Mandarin studies.
All of this is done at
minimal expense to the student. What do you do as a Kirk Scholar? As a Kirk Scholar, you will take two introductory semesters of Mandarin Chinese in the Fall and Spring. After you have completed the courses, you will travel to China for four weeks in May and June to experience the language and culture first-hand. (Students with previous Chinese study may also apply to the Kirk Scholars Program and take two semesters of Mandarin Chinese at more advanced levels.) What do you do on the trip? The trip usually begins in Beijing where students stay at Beijing Language and Cultures University. There students take Mandarin classes in the morning then have the afternoons to explore the city. On weekends, the group travels to famous sites around Beijing, such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace. After their time in Beijing, the group travels to various cities around China. This could include a visit to RU's sister institution in Huangzhou, the Terra Cotta Soldiers in Xian, and the Pearl Tower in Shanghai.
On Learning Mandarin Chinese... Many Americans think learning Chinese would be extremely difficult, if not impossible. However, Chinese grammar is much simpler than English and Romance languages (e.g. Spanish and French): there are no verb conjugations or tense changes! The classes are also structured in such a way as to combine reading, writing, and speaking Chinese, creating an easier learning process. Becoming fluent in Chinese may be difficult, but learning Chinese is not.
What is the cost of the trip? The Kirk Scholarship covers most travel expenses, such as airfare, tuition at Chinese universities, lodging, some meals, tours around the cities and country, and international student insurance. Students are responsible for contributing a portion of the expenses plus the cost of four credits of RU tuition (2008-09 in-state rates $1,088.00) that will be earned on the trip. In China, students are responsible for independent transportation during free time, some meals, tips, and souvenirs. How can the program fit into my degree? The three semesters of Chinese credits can count towards your Bachelor of Arts foreign language requirement. Also, many students go on to complete an International Studies Minor. For more information about the minor, please visit their website. There is also a Mandarin minor for any student interested. Please contact Dr. Philip Sweet, Chair of the Foreign Language Department, 831-5120, for more information. Updated: August 2008
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