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CI-100 YOUTH STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

Young Scholar Chinese Bridge 2026 (YSCB 2026)

Organized by China Institute of America

Program Overview

The Young Scholar Chinese Bridge (YSCB) Program is a 17-day immersive language and cultural program designed for American college students who are eager to learn Chinese language and engage deeply with China’s rich heritage and contemporary life across Beijing, Inner Mongolia, and Hong Kong. Organized by the China Institute of America, this program offers U.S. university students a unique opportunity to study, explore, and experience China firsthand. 

YSCB features a carefully designed Chinese language curriculum and an itinerary that showcases the richness and diversity of three cities in China. Participants will take part in interactive Mandarin language classes, cultural workshops, and city explorations, allowing them to strengthen their language skills while gaining meaningful cultural insights. The program encourages students to improve their Mandarin skills and reflect on cross cultural experiences, values, and shared humanity. Beyond language learning, YSCB provides students with opportunities to engage in dialogue with educators and professionals playing key roles in China–U.S. exchange and international collaborations. This engagement is enriched through visits and discussions during carefully curated visits to institutional partners of China Institute. 

Through the program, students will enhance their language skills, build lasting friendships, and gain direct exposure to international affairs, cross-cultural engagement, and globally oriented academic and professional pathways. They will return home with a more nuanced and personal understanding of China, prepared to become thoughtful communicators and culturally engaged citizens in an interconnected world. 

Program Features

Intensive Chinese Language Courses and Cultural Workshops

Students will take part in level-appropriate Mandarin classes at Capital Normal University, receiving structured, practical instruction focused on real-world communication and contemporary Chinese society. To complement classroom learning, students will also participate in hands-on cultural workshops such as calligraphy, scented sachet making, and paper-cutting, gaining direct experience with China’s artistic traditions. Together, these academic and creative components help students build language proficiency, cultural understanding, and meaningful connections, with the option to take the HSK Chinese Proficiency Test at the end of the program to formally assess their progress.

In Depth Cultural and Ethnic Exploration

YSCB offers a dynamic journey that brings China’s history, cultures, and modern life vividly to life. In Beijing, students combine Chinese language study at Capital Normal University with visits to legendary landmarks like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, while experiencing local life. In Inner Mongolia, they step into a dramatically different world, exploring vast grasslands and discovering nomadic traditions through immersive activities such as horseback riding and ethnic craft making. The program concludes in Hong Kong, where students experience a global metropolis that blends Chinese heritage with international innovation, finance, and culture, giving participants a powerful, well-rounded perspective on China’s past, present, and future.

Experience University Life in China

A key highlight of YSCB is the opportunity to connect with Chinese university students and experience everyday campus life firsthand. Participants will visit university campuses, join cultural activities, and engage with local peers through guided conversations and shared meals. These meaningful exchanges offer an inside look at the ambitions, lifestyles, and perspectives of young people in China today, helping students build cross cultural friendships and global awareness. 

Program Details

Dates: Aug 2 – 18, 2026 (in-country dates; subject to change)

Program Fee: USD $1,600

Includes:

  • All in-country activities, meals, materials, and transportation arranged by the program
  • International travel insurance

Does NOT include:

  • Visa fee (if applicable), International airfare

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must:

  • Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited American university.
  • Have a proven academic track record equivalent to a GPA of 3.5 (out of a total of 4) or above.
  • Prior experience studying Chinese.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interact with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds and show leadership capability (experience in senior leadership positions in student-led organizations is a plus).
  • Show a willingness to deepen understanding of China and its culture while fostering mutual understanding and friendship between the U.S. and China.
  • Haven’t joined a sponsored “Chinese Bridge” study tour in the past three years.
  • Hold American citizenship.

How To Apply

The following documents are required to be considered as a completed application:

Seats are limited, and all final decisions are subject to the discretion of China Institute of America.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: TUESDAY, March 31, 2026 5:00 PM (ET)

Sign up a virtual info session to learn more about the program:

Click To Register

3:00 pm (ET), Wednesday, February 4, 2026
3:00 pm (ET), Tuesday, March 3, 2026
 
 

Have a question? Please contact Associate Director of Education, Zoe Jia, at [email protected], or call (212) 744-8181, ext. 136.

THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF “CI-100 YOUTH STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM”. 

Founded in 1926, China Institute of America has been bridging the understanding between the U.S. and China for nearly 100 years. Now more than ever, nurturing generations that understand China is vital to building a better world. To celebrate its centennial in 2026, China Institute embarks its “CI-100 Youth Study Abroad Program” to bring U.S. youth to join life-changing journeys in China.

Have a question? Please contact Associate Director of Education Zoe Jia, at [email protected], or call (212) 744-8181, ext. 136.

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