Tuesday, April 29, 2014

The Annual Nanjing City Wall Walk and HNC BBQ

The HNC's annual Nanjing City Wall Walk was held on Saturday, April 26.  This year's route took students from Zhongshan Gate to Xuanwu Gate.  One of the key historical and cultural remains of the Ming Dynasty, the wall was designed by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1368-98) after he founded the Ming Dynasty and established Nanjing as the capital.  Completed in 1386, it took 21 years and up to 350 million bricks to build the wall.  According to historical records, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered 118 counties to make bricks for the wall.  Each brick was engraved with the names of officials who were responsible for the brick quality.  Although Nanjing's city wall is not complete today, Nanjing is one of the few cities that still has its ancient city wall mostly intact.

Following the Wall Walk, the HNC Class Committee organized a barbeque party in the Center's courtyard for students to take a study break and enjoy food, drinks, music, and each others company.

Check out pictures from the day below!

HNC students jump for joy on the Nanjing City Wall
HNC students and staff enjoyed an afternoon on the Wall Walk
All ready for the barbeque!
HNC students fire up the grill
Students mingle over delicious food and drinks
Students had the opportunity to enjoy live music performed by their classmates


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Welcome New HNC Students!

With the decision deadline last night at midnight, we have been processing reply forms this morning and are excited to see next year's class beginning to form!

As you prepare for your time at the HNC, check out some of these pictures from last week's admitted students weekend in Nanjing.  Admitted students spent Sunday afternoon touring the city of Nanjing, before mingling with current students in the student lounge over milk and cookies.  On Monday, they had the opportunity to tour the HNC, sit in on classes, learn about HNC's career services, and interact with faculty, staff, and students.

For those who will be joining us in the fall, we will soon be in touch with details on visas, medical information, and more, but please contact us at nanjing@jhu.edu if you have any questions in the meantime!


Jiming Temple

Jiming Temple

Admitted students on Nanjing's city wall

Admitted students walk along Nanjing's city wall

Nanjing City Wall

Cookies in the student lounge

Open 24 hours, the lounge is a place for students to relax and socialize.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Decision Deadline is Approaching!

This is a reminder to all admitted students that the deadline to accept or decline your offer of admission is this upcoming Monday, April 21 by 11:59pm.  Please use the online reply form that has been included in any of the weekly emails you have received.

Thank you to those who have already submitted the online reply form!  We look forward to communicating with you over the summer as you prepare for your time in Nanjing.  Keep an eye out for an orientation handbook in early May with details on visas, medical information, what to pack, and more!  A Facebook group for incoming students will also be created soon so you can get to know your new classmates.

Our office is open today and Monday for any last minute questions as you make your decision!  Outside of these hours, you can reach us by email.  Over the weekend, contacting an individual admissions representative rather than emailing nanjing@jhu.edu will result in a quicker response.  

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Reminder: Admitted Student Online Chat TONIGHT

Tonight, Tuesday April 15 from 7:30-9:30pm EDT, join admissions staff as well as a current certificate student in an online chat.  This is your opportunity to ask questions about academics, student life, the city of Nanjing, and more!  Click here as early as ten minutes prior to the start of the chat to log in.  Enter as a guest, but remember that this chat is reserved for admitted students only, so check your email from Monday for the room passcode.  Email sallie.ly@jhu.edu if you need help accessing the chat.  We look forward to chatting with you soon!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

HNC in Seoul

Yonsei University
HNC Admissions Coordinator Sallie Ly (formerly Sallie You) recently visited Korea.  While there, she had the opportunity to visit three Korean universities to meet with students interested in the Hopkins-Nanjing Center.  Read on for more information on her campus visits:

Last month, I took a trip to Korea to visit my extended family. While I was there, I had the chance to meet prospective students and recruit for the HNC. I visited three of the top universities in Korea, Yonsei University, Korea University and Ewha Women’s University.
Waffles at Yonsei
At Yonsei University, I visited an Advanced Chinese class with about 40 students. Yonsei University campus is filled with lots of history and beautiful buildings. Near the main entrance you will find a variety of street vendors and restaurants. I couldn’t help myself but to indulge on a delicious waffle drizzled in honey from a street vendor.
Next up was Korea University, which has a beautiful campus with a large international presence. I especially loved Korea University’s spacious grassy area where students can study, have a picnic and congregate. It reminded me of my alma mater, Michigan State! Korea University ‘Tigers’ are well known for their rivalry with the Yonsei ‘Eagles’.
Ewha Woman's University
The entrance to Ewha Woman’s University is very energetic with shops, restaurants and street vendors. The Ewha University entrance street is famous for hair salons and cheap food – this has been my go to neighborhood to look for good affordable hair salons.  Ewha campus was filled with energetic ladies – they were having a campus event that involved lots of cheering the day I visited!
Varsity Jackets in Korea
One thing I noticed about Korean students was that they represented their school affiliation with varsity jackets with their university name and major, like the one to the left.
It was really fun to experience Korea’s university life as I walked through the three campuses and I look forward to reading applications from Korean applicants in the future!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

HNC Admitted Student Happy Hour in DC

Thanks to everyone who came out for last night's admitted student happy hour in downtown Washington, D.C.!  We hope you're now even more excited to start your studies in Nanjing this fall.  Check out some of the pictures from the evening below: 






For those students in Asia, don't miss next week's admitted student open house in Nanjing!  Check your email for more details.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

HNC Students on Spring Break

HNC students visit SOHO headquarters on the Beijing Career Trek
This week is spring break at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center!  Students typically take advantage of this week to travel around China or the region (last year a group went to North Korea!), or to participate in the HNC's Beijing Career Trek.  As part of the Beijing Career Trek, 20 HNC students, along with HNC's Career Counselor Robbie Shields, traveled to Beijing to meet with employers largely focused in media, non-profit, and government.  Among the employers they are visiting this week are Greenpeace, the Gates Foundation, the US-China Business Council, the US Embassy, and Weber Shandwick. 

The Hopkins-Nanjing Center follows a Chinese academic calendar with American characteristics.  Students have a one-week break over the Chinese National Day holiday in October, a one-week fall break that typically falls over American Thanksgiving, one day off for Christmas, and 4-5 weeks off for Chinese New Year, which is also the break between fall and spring semesters.  In addition to the Beijing Career Trek held over spring break mentioned above, there is typically an Asia Career Trek to Shanghai and Hong Kong held over winter break.  For an idea of how some students spend their winter break, click here.  During second semester, there is a one-week spring break and sometimes a day or two off for other holidays like the Dragon Boat Festival or Qingming Festival, depending on how the lunar calendar and academic calendar align each year.

We encourage incoming students to start considering possible travel destinations!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Summer Graduate Programs in Nanjing with Johns Hopkins SAIS – Apply Now!

The following is posted on behalf of the Office of SAIS Summer Programs.  For those interested in further experience in China and who may one day be interested in applying to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, we encourage you to consider this summer opportunity!  Please note that rising seniors are eligible.

SAIS is now accepting applications for a new graduate program in Nanjing this June 23-July 31. Apply now and spend the summer at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center while earning academic credit from one of the world's premier international relations institutions. 

About the Program
http://www.sais-jhu.edu/academics/other-programs/summer-programs?utm_source=postcard%2Bmailing&utm_medium=postcard&utm_campaign=Summer%2B2013SAIS summer in Nanjing is a full-time, six-week residential program housed at the state-of-the-art facilities of the HNC.  Choose from a variety of English-language graduate courses focused on the economic, political and environmental dynamics of East Asia.  The academic curriculum brings together leading faculty from SAIS and HNC and is complemented by weekly guided regional excursions.  Chinese language proficiency is not required for this opportunity.
 
See the full list of available courses and descriptions here!
 
Why SAIS Summer in Nanjing?
SAIS Summer Programs are designed to give students – from rising college seniors to mid-career professionals – a chance to build their academic credentials and advance their international careers without pursuing a full degree.  All of our classes are offered for four credits each, and may be transferable to graduate schools worldwide.  This is also a great opportunity to get a head start on an HNC or SAIS degree, and learn your way around Nanjing.
 
Learn about China, in China, from leading experts on China – SAIS Summer offers a unique chance to access HNC’s truly international perspective on international relations.
 
How to Apply
SAIS Summer Programs are open to applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree or are entering their final year of undergraduate study in the fall of 2014.  For eligibility and application information, visit our website and click “How to Apply.”
 
The application deadline is April 24, 2014 – apply online today!
 
Get More Information
For more information, contact the SAIS Office of Summer Programs:
 
+1.202.663.5671