Expect a true Harvard experience this summer. During a Harvard Summer School study abroad program, you will engage your intellectual curiosity with Harvard faculty, build a new network of friends, and expand your understanding of the world.
Harvard Summer School in Taipei, Taiwan
The Harvard Summer Program in Taipei, Taiwan, also known as the Harvard Taipei Academy, offers you the opportunity to complete a full academic year’s worth of Chinese language study in the course of an eight-week summer session. Building on the success of our renowned Harvard Beijing Academy, this new program, offered in collaboration with Taiwan’s most prestigious university, National Taiwan University, incorporates the same rigorous language curriculum while also affording you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the dynamic and diverse society and culture of Taiwan—a unique island where tradition and modernity are intertwined.
The program offers four intensive courses in modern Chinese at the intermediate and advanced levels. Our curriculum materials are designed to develop and reinforce all aspects of Chinese language ability—including speaking, oral comprehension, reading, and writing, in authentic cultural contexts. Students have the option of completing their coursework in either traditional or simplified characters. All courses include a mid-term Social Study Project outside of Taipei to some of the most historically, culturally, and geographically remarkable locations in Taiwan.
On the weekends, join your classmates for excursions to cultural and historical landmarks, including to the Palace Museum, the bustling Shilin Night Market, the iconic village of Jiufen, and more. After class, deepen your appreciation of Chinese and local Taiwanese culture through extracurricular activities covering everything from calligraphy and music to tai-chi and mah-jiang. You can also practice your Chinese, relax, and make new friends through “interest group” outings on Friday with local university students, “Chinese table” meals with your classmates and teachers, and get-togethers with local Taiwanese host families. At HTA, Chinese language learning is inseparable from engagement with society and culture.
Highlights
Language Pledge
Before the program starts, students must sign a language pledge, committing to speak only Mandarin Chinese for the entire duration of the program, both in and out of the classroom. Although it may seem challenging, years of experience have proven that full immersion is the key to rapid improvement in your Chinese proficiency over just two months. Since Taipei is an international city where many people speak English fluently, we will provide a badge reading “我只說中文😄” (“I only speak Chinese”) to help you maintain the Chinese-only environment. Violating the pledge has serious consequences: a written warning for the first offense, a one-letter grade reduction for the second, and dismissal from the program for the third. Of course, there are exceptions. Students may speak other languages when talking to parents or friends back home, to program faculty or staff on personal issues in a private setting, or in any emergency situations.
Student-Teacher Ratio
Our program consistently maintains a student-teacher ratio of approximately 2:1, ensuring ample opportunities for personalized learning and practice. Lecture classes (大班课) typically have 8-10 students, while drill sections (小班课) are limited to 3-5 students. Additionally, each student benefits from a 50-minute daily one-on-one session (单班课) with a teacher, guaranteeing individualized attention and support for language development.
Engagement with Local Community
A key difference between studying in Taiwan and the US is the immersive, Chinese-speaking societal environment. To maximize this advantage, we ensure that students have ample, well-facilitated opportunities to engage with the local community. Our courses invite Taiwanese natives—such as college students, high school students, and working professionals—into the classroom as guests, while assignments and class projects encourage students to venture beyond the classroom to interact with Taipei locals, ranging from night market vendors to parkgoers. Opportunities to sign up for a host family will allow you to form meaningful connections and foster long-lasting friendships with local residents. The Social Study Trip (students’ all-time favorite) provides precious opportunities to conduct field projects and connect with various communities outside of Taipei, from farmers in Tainan to indigenous groups on the east coast. These experiences not only boost language proficiency but also deepen cultural understanding of the Chinese-speaking world.