This summer, students looking to enhance their Chinese language ability will have an opportunity to improve and receive free trips abroad for immersion and advanced-level training.

The Chinese department on campus has received a federal government grant to start a Chinese-English, English-Chinese translation certificate program that will allow students to study abroad.

The program pays for all expenses including airfare, accommodation and tuition.

"The all-expense-paid (program) is a good idea because this will capture more students who are considering studying abroad for a translation or interpretation major," Cantonese speaker Amanda Wong, 20, said. "I might consider going because not only does it help me further my knowledge and skills in interpreting, but it is also helps those who are having a hard time learning Chinese or English."

Students with an advanced-level proficiency in Chinese and English are eligible to apply.
They are required to take a proficiency test in both languages to get in the program. According to Chris Wen-Chao Li, an associate professor of Chinese, the first summer will be in Taiwan and the second summer "will depend on the status of our negotiations.
If negotiations with China are successful, the cohort will go to China. If not, they will return to Taiwan for advanced courses."

Li added that currently, there is great demand for translators and interpreters in Asia, but it is harder to work exclusively in translation or interpretation in the United States.
Translation and interpretation are skills that come in useful in a number of other professions, such as education, media and business.

Business administration major Hue La said this program will be beneficial to students because it will give them a great opportunity and experience to explore a new environment and rewarding career.

"If I had the chance, I would take advantage of this opportunity because it will be a very valuable experience to put on my resume and a perfect opportunity for me to develop international communication skills," La said.

The program is open to all students regardless of major.