China Open

China Open (Beijing)

Early Applications for Summer and Fall due February 5th for $500 off program fee.

Program Dates (TBC): September 20 - October 7
Faculty Program Director: TBD
For application and scholarship deadlines see our Application Instructions page.

About The Program
About The City
Course Credit
Eligibility
Program Costs
Housing
Financial Aid
How to Apply
Contact Us

The Missouri School of Journalism has been chosen to select journalism students to volunteer at the China Open in Beijing. This is an amazing opportunity to cover an international event, generate portfolio clips, and make contacts abroad. The games bring the top ATP and WTA male and female tennis athletes from around the world to China, attracting 300,000 spectators. The China Open will be broadcast to 1.2 billion viewers in 60 countries.

Throughout their time in Beijing, our students file daily stories for the China Open website, watch world-class caliber tennis, and observe individual and press conference interviews with the players and coaches. They also work with media members from around the world covering the major tennis tournament, known as the “fifth Grand Slam” event.

In addition to working as a volunteer at the event, you will also learn a great deal about Chinese culture through an upper-level journalism course taught during the first eight weeks of the semester.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a place where history, arts, culture, food and sports all converge, Beijing is the reality you’ve been wanting. Beijing is the capital city of the People’s Republic of China and China’s second biggest city behind Shanghai. The capital serves as a headquarters for politics, education, culture, and economics in the country and has a history that dates back more than 3,000 years. Even though it is a large metropolitan city, Beijing is known for its grand palaces, parks, gardens and bicycle-friendly streets.

The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are two of the city’s most impressive attractions. A Chinese imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City consists of almost 1,000 buildings, covers 180 acres and is a prime example of traditional Chinese architecture. The Forbidden City also holds the Palace Museum, which is the most visited museum in the world. Tiananmen Square has been the location of many historical events in Chinese history, such as the pro-democracy Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. As for the city’s culinary attraction, Beijing is home to Jing cuisine, which includes hot and sour soup, moo shu pork and peking duck. Something tells us your Chinese food in Bejing will be much tastier and more authentic than your typical takeout order in America.

In 2008, Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics, bringing athletes from around the world to see what the city has to offer. On your trip to China, you will walk the same ground as Olympians as you are reporting on the China Open in the National Tennis Center, which was where the tennis preliminaries and finals took place during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Additionally, Beijing has been picked to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, making it the first city to ever hold both the summer and winter Olympics. So whether history, food, or sports is your focus, Beijing is sure to leave you impressed.

Undergraduate applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who have completed either J4200 (Principles of Strategic Communication) or J4180 (Newsroom Content Creation). Applicants who will complete one of these courses in the semester/term preceding the term for which they are applying will be considered for conditional acceptance to the program.

All students must be in good academic standing. If an applicant has a GPA below a 3.0, a letter of appeal should be included with their application.

Applicants should compose a well-constructed resume and cover letter highlighting technical skills for use in the professional placement process. Students should also consider developing a portfolio to provide, if requested.

The Missouri School of Journalism attempts to make the costs of studying abroad affordable for you. Generally, study abroad experiences cost a bit more than a summer semester completed on-campus at MU. However, a summer abroad includes new experiences, cultures, languages, and an opportunity to explore the world as an international student. It is highly recommended that students outline a budget that considers what they might spend during the program. Students on this program pay MU educational fees (6 credits) as though taking classes on campus for the summer. The cost of the trip includes international travel, ground transportation, lodging, mandatory insurance, and an MU Study Abroad fee, which is applied toward costs associated with orientation programs, administration, and staff assistance.

Program Costs

Total Program Costs: $3,307.30
Program Fee, Housing, Insurance, and Study Abroad Administration Fee
(Note: Total Program Costs do not include tuition)

Breakdown of total fee:
Program Fee: $2,950*
*Program fee includes airfare, housing, daily breakfast, excursion to the Great Wall and transportation related to program.
MU Mandatory International Health Insurance: $100
MU Study Abroad Administration Fee: $257.30

Amounts listed are anticipated costs and are subject to change as a result of international economic factors, decreased student numbers, etc. Budget listed is based on previous Summer term and subject to change.

Additional Costs

Students will also be responsible for regular tuition and required educational fees associated with 3 credit hours. For specific fee information, visit the Cashier's website.

Personal Expenditure Estimates
Meals and Transportation: $500 - $700

In addition to the program costs paid to MU, you will have expenses associated with international travel and living abroad. The amounts listed are estimated costs based on current exchange rates and on the information provided to us by your host institution and past participants. Depending on your personal spending habits, you may spend more or less than the figures provided.

Please note that these expenses do not include vacation travel or sightseeing. All fees are subject to change and without notice.

The financial aid you normally receive for your classes at MU is usually applicable. Please visit with your Financial Aid Advisor at the MU Student Financial Aid Office (11 Jesse Hall) to explore your financial aid options: 573-882-7506.

In addition, the School of Journalism offers need-based travel scholarships each semester and you can also apply for additional scholarships through the MU International Center (Memorial Union). Watch our website, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for special program scholarship announcements each semester.

Finally, check out our special page on Funding Your Experience for more information including links to our MU Journalism Abroad Travel Scholarship, MUJA Travel Writer Scholarship, external scholarship options, and Steps to Apply for Financial Aid.