<p>Not bad if you want to complete a master’s thesis about a specific topic in China. If you want to take a break from the US to get SAIS credit, fine. But DON’T GET THE CERTIFICATE.
Awful location in a busy part of Nanjing. Classes taught by Chinese professors are nowhere near “developed world” quality.</p>
<p>Would you mind elaborating a bit on the strengths and weaknesses of the program in Nanjing? I am currently studying Chinese at a university in China and I am very aware of the traditional Chinese teaching method. How do the professors approach teaching at the Center? Do you have lively discussion in class? Or is it primarily lecture-based? Also, what is the average level of Chinese fluency among the American students? What intrigues me about the Center is that it allows you to study specific topics in Chinese instead of just listening, speaking, reading, etc. </p>
<p>Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>How come you think the certificate is bad? Isn’t the MA basically the same?</p>
<p>One of this program’s strength was the job connection (lousy economy now), so much for that, but I grew to appreciate what I learned over time. Nanjing is not a large city, but it’s livable, though crowded (whereas I consider a lot of urban-but-not-metropolitan China a bit unlivable) I realize that if you’re prepared to do more work you can have mostly good classes, otherwise, like me, you might only like, maybe, 2-3.</p>
<p>A strength of the program is, of course, that you’re in China with Chinese classmates. For me this was diluted with the good times to be had with my American classmates, seems it takes discipline to get the full experience. It’s still a really unique place, but outside of class you have to make your own ‘China’ time.</p>
<p>You probably won’t get any better teaching elsewhere in China, our teachers did have lots of discussions, but the material is tough. I should say, Hua Tao did rock our worlds.
Most other profs: very cool sometimes, but not worth it. If you don’t know whether you enjoy reading Chinese academic works or not, really think about it. If you never really ‘get’ it, you might want to just continue studying China in English. </p>
<p>I’d say: save your money. On that point, maybe I should have said ‘Don’t do the Master’s program’ (Unless you know what you want to study, etc. Same sort of goes for the certificate) People who are already set on the Center already know, they don’t need to read this.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight enfenteterrible.</p>
<p>If money would not be an issue (through fellowships specifically for non-degree programs), would you then say the program would be worth doing? I’m looking to pursue a 2-year IR degree after a certificate from Hopkins-Nanjing, for example at SFS or SAIS. Would having done the certificate help with admissions to the top programs? (since most practically require post-undergraduate experience) Or would schools, especially SAIS since it also administers Hopkins-Nanjing, be see the certificate as a “cop out” of sorts? </p>
<p>What are people’s thoughts on the value and purpose of both the overall Nanjing program and of the certificate track?</p>