Students with sufficient preparation may design an independent study project (ISP), service learning project, or internship, within certain cultural and linguistic boundaries, and in consultation with their faculty advisor. First semester students may earn up to four credits and second semester students may earn up to eight credits for independent study.

Students have done ISPs in a wide range of fields such as psychology, religion, philosophy, sociology, education, socio-linguistics, ecology, development, medicine, literature, art, women’s studies, ethnomusicology, politics, history, and martial arts.

In addition to ISPs, students may arrange an internship for credit. As is the case with an ISP, most internships are carried out in the spring semester after students have completed required courses and have the requisite foundation in Mandarin Chinese language. Students have had success volunteering with international nongovernmental organizations (INGO) or nonprofit organizations in Hangzhou.

Please click on the links below to see some of the Independent Study Projects and Internships our students have accomplished and participated in:

• Costa Rica Center
• China Center
• India Center
• Japan Center
• New York City