Choosing a major

[ai_ya]

I am in a quandry as to what to do now....I have HSK level 7, and I originally wanted to study Chinese as a major in a UK university - but now this seems it will be a waste of money, and several people have advised me to think about doing a degree course in China, my problem is: what major should I choose? Chinese language? Or something totally different [business, etc]? I am thinking about studying in Chengdu/Chongqing or Guangzhou [i don't particularly like the north of China].

I would be grateful for any advice / suggestions.

Thanks.

[muyongshi]

Okay well first off you will probably get a lot of people agreeing with your friends on the point that studying Chinese in a uni overseas when you already have a decent chinese level could be a big waste of your time. But as to your question....WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO??? and not just for college but for your life? We can't make that decision for you let alone give you good advice without more information of your hopes/dreams, likes/dislikes, ect. and even if people give you advice it most likely will not be something you want to hear. So try some more details and then you will get some really good recommendations...

[ai_ya]

Well, I do enjoy studying languages but I also want to make a choice that will benefit me in the future [i.e help me get a good job] and lots of people have advised against just studying Chinese language.

I dislike maths and sciences [and probably couldn't get into these courses anyway].

Preferably, I would like to do something related to languages/business which would give me good options for the future. Any suggestions as to which course would be suitable for me?

Thanks again!

[self-taught-mba]

Just curious as to how you reached level 7? Self-study? Your methods?

It seems to me that since you like studying languages but also want to secure decent skills for your future, I might suggest the following:

How about international trade, import export, manufacturing management or supply chain management (or just business in general) at a University in GuangZhou?

Why:

1) classes will still be taught in Mandarin

2) you still have the opportunity to learn another language, Cantonese. The environment will build your Cantonese; the University classes will further enhance your Mandarin without wasting your time

3) the major matches the location: Guangzhou is a center of import export operations as well as a manufacturing center in China. What a great way to do internships and so forth during the summer time related to your major while simultaneously allowing you to enhance your Mandarin and pickup Cantonese

4) it matches one of your target cities

Just some thoughts based on what little we know about you.

[ai_ya]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I reached level 7 through self-study [i am 18 yrs old at the minute]. I started self-studying Chinese [Cantonese actually] when I was about 13, and carried on ever since.

As for Cantonese, I am at about the same level of Cantonese as my Mandarin [i understand most spoken, and can hold a fairly decent conversation - so going to Guangzhou does not scare me].

International trade does sound like a good option, and I am considering it - do you know which university in Guangzhou would be best suited for this?

Thanks a lot !

[gato]

Have you thought of studying something in the liberal arts in the UK, such as in literature or history? I agree with others that it's a waste of time to major in Chinese in a university outside of China, particularly if you already have a reasonable level of Chinese. Supposedly, even many who've graduated with a BA in Chinese from a western university can't score a 7 on the HSK. If you were studying in the UK, you would be better off you studying something like literature or history, which would improve analytical and writing skills (in English), both of which are important for business. And even though you don't like math, you should take a basic accounting course since business, after all, is mostly about money.

And for us to better advise you on a college plan, maybe you can tell us a little more about your background, such as your age and how you managed to learn enough Chinese to get a HSK 7. Is your family Chinese?

What do you yourself see as the pros and cons of studying in mainland China vs. the UK? Universities in mainland China are woefully underfunded in terms of instructional budget (construction budget is another matter) -- most university professors earn less RMB4000 a month and many have second jobs to supplement their income -- so universities in the UK are likely to have more resources than most mainland universities. Universities in HK and Taiwan are better in that regard.

Here are some previous threads where others have asked about getting a degree in China. These were all found with a search on threads with "degree" in their titles. You can also try other searches. Your question has come up a number of times.

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/15-cctv-learn-chinese617&highlight=degree

degree from tsinghua vs. from germany

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/9741-chinese-degree-value&highlight=degree

Chinese degree value

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/8272-chinese-degree-in-the-uk&highlight=degree

Chinese degree -- in the U.K.

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/8901-degree-equivalent-to-what-hsk-level&highlight=degree

Degree equivalent to what HSK level?

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/5-how-many-characters-do-you-know348&highlight=degree

Degree and major recommendations, studying chinese

[lilongyue]

I haven't yet come across a Chinese university that has a major in "Chinese language." I've always wondered why in the U.S. there are English majors, but no Chinese majors in China or Taiwan. The closest you can get is Chinese literature. I haven't looked into it too much, but I'm guessing that studying classical Chinese would be included, unless the major is split into modern and classical literature. Anyway, if you're after big bucks, a major in Chinese literature is not the way to go.

I'm in a similar situation, as the OP. Haven't taken the HSK, but from what I've read in other posts I'm probably somewhere around a 6. I plan on studying for another year, and was thinking about going back to the States to get a Bachelors in Chinese, just to have a piece of paper to show people, as well as to help me find work in countries that require a 4 year degree to get a work visa. Haven't had much luck with the American universities I've been corresponding with. Frankly, I don't think they know what to do with someone already fluent entering their Chinese language program.

Being fluent in Chinese, but having no other skill, doesn't qualify you for much outside of translating or interpreting. Depending on what type of interpreting you want to do, you will need a very high level of Chinese to get that kind of work, for example being a court interpreter, or doing simultaneous interpreting. Simple interpreting, like for a Western business man in China wanting to talk with a Chinese company about products, can be done by Chinese with intermediate English. They don't really need a foreigner (with a foreign salary) to do that.

Based on my experience with the Mainland education system, I think you'd be much better off going back to your home country for a major in something not related to Chinese language. The education system here is way behind the West, or even other modern Asian countries. If you're planning on working in China, then a degree from a Western university looks better, too.

Since you're still rather young, and I'm 32, I'll tell you that there are only a few majors that are really going to pay off in a big way, and that will guarantee work straight out of university. They are: computer related majors, certain science related majors (like engineering), medicine, law, business, management types of degrees (business or human resources), and accounting. This is not a comprehensive list, and it's not impossible to make good money with a different major, but these are your safest bets. What you need to ask yourself is what's more important, money or doing what you love? I think most of us who frequent this forum live in China, or have, and so understand Chinese thinking on this topic (money, money, money). It's a very practical viewpoint, but there's something to be said for doing something you love. I started studying Chinese because I wanted to get better work, and it interested me. I've already started working as a translator, and in certain situations it can pay well (although not in the Mainland), but I also have my own plans. I've always been interested in translating, but never had a practical way of pursuing it until recently.

Chinese is in high demand right now. You can look into government work, too. The American government has Chinese listed as a "critical needs" language. So, that's something I'm considering pursuing when I've finished studying. You can look into government positions that require foreign language skills. Since you speak both Mandarin and Cantonese you're in a good position. Good luck.

[LaoZhang]

I like the idea of NOT studying Chinese for your degree program unless 1. you want to teach/do research in that arena. 2. You're getting a degree "just because."

If you are interested in business ex/im, then take some time looking at programs such as this. I found this program by looking up info on all the large shippers.

Think about what you really want to do, what your passions are, what you want your life to look like (do you want to run your own store where you have to be there all the time, or do you want to travel internationally?) and then plan your steps accordingly.

Kudos to you for seeking advice at this stage in your life!

[Xiying]

I take it that you're neither American, nor Canadian (and so major does matter if you're going after non-American employers), so here is something that is almost irrelevant but nevertheless insightful: http://cardinalcareers.stanford.edu/majors/tenfacts.htm

[muyongshi]

I haven't yet come across a Chinese university that has a major in "Chinese language."

Wow! You need to really check again because practically every university offers it......

[fireball9261]

About the "Chinese" major and "Chinese Literature" major in universities around China and Taiwan, I thought they do have a "Chinese" major in Taiwan for sure and probably in China. My dad's best friend was the professor in the "Chinese" major in Taiwan Normal University. Many Americans and foriegners came there to study Chinese. Could it be the English translation of that major become the "Chinese Literature" instead of just "Chinese"? I could assure you there are "中文系" (Chinese major) in all the universities in China and Taiwan, and the students in that major does not study Chinese literature primarily. Some of them do study the construction and history and meaning of the Chinese language. Could it be you are looking at the wrong place? Chinese major is in the School of Language. Chinese Literature major is in the School of Literature. At least, that was what I remembered, or do I mixed up the American majors with the Chinese majors?

[Jamoldo]

I'm going to say avoid getting a Chinese BA like the plague unless you go to Beida/Tsinghua and even there the atmosphere won't be one like the UK where you can study, have fun and learn a lot both inside and outside the classroom (one thing for sure: Chinese universities won't have the ethnic and social diversity that you'll find in the UK). There's also lots of red tape, and in my opinion, the instructional quality just isn't up to par, from what I have heard and seen and there is far much of an emphasis on rote memorization rather than creative thinking and application. Sure your Chinese will be unbelievably good in four years, but what else will you come out with (unless you strike gold and hobnob with some minister's/politburo's kid)?

Get a degree in the UK where educational and social facilities will be much better and major in whatever interests you. You'll also be able to explore more subjects freely and in a language you're more comfortable with. If you want to maintain your Chinese, I would advise minoring in Chinese or taking some advanced classes in the Chinese department as a way to keep up. You'll easily make friends with other Chinese or your lecturers (not professors), many who are probably pretty young and would be thrilled to talk with you. The value of a western education, even in China is still much higher than that of a Chinese one.

In the end, you can always go to China during summers and immerse yourself then or take a year off and do likewise.