This guide has been compiled by a team of language instructors, faculty, and librarians to help you to make the most of your time in China. Please do more than take classes and hang out with your friends while you are there. Think of a research project that will prompt you to visit libraries and archives. Conduct some field research into the lives of young urban/rural Chinese. There are many projects you can undertake and a huge range of resources that are available to you while you are in China that you cannot easily get once you are back home.

In some cases you will need to fill out paperwork in order to gain access to research materials. Don't let this stop you! If you are afraid to do it yourself, ask a Chinese friend to take you and help you to go through the process the first time. If you don't have a friend you can ask, ask your teacher or one of the librarians at your institution in China.