Summer Camp for University Students

The summer programme "Understanding China" at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), in cooperation with the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna, offers students from around the world the opportunity to improve their Chinese language skills, discover Beijing, and gain an enriching cultural experience. Participants spend a diverse and engaging time together on campus and gather unforgettable impressions of the city, the country, and its culture.

The Summer Camp serves as an international platform for encounters and intercultural dialogue. It combines learning with practical experiences, allowing participants to get to know China firsthand. In addition to language classes, the programme includes a wide range of activities, such as cultural workshops, excursions, meetings with Chinese families, and other interactive formats for exchanging ideas with peers from different countries. Participants will learn about both traditional and modern aspects of Beijing, sample Chinese cuisine, and actively engage with the culture and daily life.

The Summer Camp focuses on cultural exchange, collaborative learning, and international friendships. Its aim is to foster long-term connections between young people from different countries and to provide a deeper understanding of Chinese language and culture.

Participation requirements:

• Students aged 18 to 30 who are currently enrolled at an Austrian university
• mut not have Chinese citizenship
• must have passed the HSK-1 exam or YCT 3
• must not be a native Chinese speaker
• must not have participated in the "Chinese Bridge" in-person summer camp within the last 3 years

The application period for the summer camp is normally open from the end of March to the beginning of May. For applicants who cannot provide proof of an HSK certificate, an additional HSK exam is offered in May of the same year. However, preference is given to applicants who already possess an HSK certificate and meet all other requirements.

Duration: ca. 12 days (normally end of July until mid August of the same year )

Location: Beijing

Costs: Costs for flights and visas, as well as any travel insurance, must be borne by the participant; all costs in Beijing (accommodation, transport, food, accident insurance) are covered by the organizer.

Application documents:

• application form
• declaration of consent
• enrollment confirmation
• passport copy
• HSK-certificate (If not already submitted, please provide it later)

For questions regarding the application or further information, please contact us via konfuzius-institut(at)univie.ac.at

Information on this year's Summer Camp can be found here: