Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What will I do on a regular basis?
A: Language instruction will be provided in both formal and informal settings. While teaching conversational language skills to help participants cope with their immersion setting, classes will also focus on formal instruction in grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, and will cover reading, speaking, listening and writing. Classes will target beginning, intermediate and advanced language learners -- as well as heritage speakers -- as appropriate.
During the three week program, students will study Chinese languages for at least 20 hours per week five days a week. In addition, participants have opportunities for volunteerism and community service in order to expand their language use as well as their first-hand cultural knowledge and experience. These volunteer and community service activities, which engage host country peers as much as possible, are designed to teach about community life, citizen participation and the culture and history of the host country. Programs are also encouraged to feature regular cultural excursions to closely support the language program.
Q: What happens after I submit my application?
A: After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email. Semi-finalists will be contacted for interviews on a rolling basis. All applicants will be notified by April 1st.
Q: How do I get a passport?
A: All selected participants will need a valid U.S. passport. If you already have a passport, it must be valid at least six months after intended date of return to the U.S. For information on obtaining a passport for the first time or renewing, please visit travel.state.gov.
Q: When do I need to have my passport?
A: If you are selected for a scholarship, you are expected to have a valid passport by April 1st. We encourage all semi-finalists to apply for passports. Scholarship recipients will need to have their passports in order to participate in the program and to begin the visa application process.
Q: Can non-U.S. citizens, including permanent residents, participate in the program?
A: No, only U.S. citizens are eligible to participate.
Q: Are home-schooled students eligible?
A: Yes. For home-schooled students, the teacher recommendation form must be completed by an adult who is not related to the student, but knows the student well and can attest to her/his readiness to be an exchange student. Possible individuals may include, but are not limited to scout leaders, coaches, clergy members, volunteer coordinators and instructors.
Q: Will there be any kind of language preparation before departure?
A: Students whom previous Chinese language experience less than advanced level are required to enroll in a CLCCM/Bangor Chinese School’sChinese language program. For more information about CLCCM/Bangor Chinese School’sChinese language programs, please call us at 207-990-0710, email us at r visit our website:
Q: Will there be language examinations?
A: Pre- and post-program testing in the targeted language is used as an evaluation tool to measure oral language progress. Pre-institute testing is only administered to participants who self-assess that they have some knowledge/exposure to Chinese in their application. Tests to determine a student's placement level within their cohort are administered by CLCCM at the beginning of the program. Language tests are conducted in order to ensure that the goals of the program are being met.
Q: Will I be alone on the program or with a group?
A: The students will travel in groups with staff from CLCCM all the times. Students will generally live in the same community in each city and attend classes and activities together. All participants will have a resident director available 24/7 to them in the same community who will monitor and support them for the duration of the program.
Q: Where will I live?
A: The program will provide students the opportunity to live, at least for some period of time, with host families as a way to use acquired language skills and interacting with native speakers. It is CLCCM responsibility as well as that of affiliated organizations to identify and screen qualified and well-motivated host families for participants. In some cases, where homestays are not possible or sufficiently numerous, participants may be housed in dormitory-type environments with adult resident supervision. In situations where dormitory housing is provided, CLCCM will seek weekend homestay opportunities.
Homestays are viewed as a fundamental component of the language learning experience because they provide a natural environment in which to learn and use everyday language and may minimize the effects of culture shock. The immersion experience for language learners to live with a host family expands the cultural context in which language learning takes place and provides a window into the lives, perspectives and practices of the host country’s citizens.
Host families are required to provide breakfast and dinner each school day, transportation to school and program-related activities and ensure that each participant has his/her own bed (although not necessary his/her own room). Host institutes will provide lunch during school day. Requirements for host families overseas are guided by State Department guidelines designed to ensure the safety and well-being of exchange students.
Q: How are host families selected?
A: Host families are chosen through a careful selection process with assistance from the host institution, host community partners, and/or volunteers. All prospective host families are interviewed in their homes. Families interested in hosting must also provide references. CLCCM will do its best to match host families and students based on the host family's application material and the information students provide in their application. Age and gender are also taken into consideration. One of the most important criteria for selecting a host family is that the family can provide a safe environment and has a genuine interest in the cultural exchange that occurs in a host family arrangement.
Q: What if I have relatives in China? Can I live with them or visit them?
A: Participants are not permitted to live with friends or relatives in the host country. Visits may be permitted, but cannot conflict with scheduled program activities, including language lessons.
Q: Can my parents or friends visit me while I am on the program?
A: Visits from natural family, home country friends and relatives are strongly discouraged during the program, as such visits can interrupt the continuity of the relationship with the host family and diminish the exchange experience for both the participant and the host family.
Q: Do host families speak any English? Does each student live by herself/himself with the host family?
A: Host parents typically do not speak English, which will require students to use the target language at home. If the host family has teenaged children, they usually have studied some English and are often eager to use it. In the early stages of the host family stay this can help facilitate communication with other family members. In most cases, only one exchange student lives with each host family.
Q: Is the country where I am placed safe?
A: Student safety and security is the highest priority for CLCCM and host institutes. The U.S. Department of State, in consultation with its embassies and missions overseas, approved all CLCCM host cities. Living with a host family or in a closely monitored dormitory setting also increases student safety.
Q: What should I do if my latest grades will not be posted?
A: Applications without transcripts will not be reviewed, so be sure to have transcript arrive by the deadline specified in the application instructions, even if current grades are not available.
Q: If my parents are divorced, do they both need to sign the application form?
A: If both parents have custody, they will both need to sign the form.
Q: Where will orientations take place and what will they cover?
A: The orientation will take place at Husson University, Bangor, Maine. The purpose of the orientation is to prepare you to be a safe and successful exchange student, so topics include information on health and safety, program information and schedules, information on China culture, culture shock and teambuilding activities.
Q: How will I find out if I have been selected for a scholarship?
A: At the end of the selection process, finalists and alternates will be notified via email in April 1st. Those applicants awarded scholarships will receive detail information about the program.The selection process begins as soon as the application period ends. In the first stage, CLCCM recruiters will read the applications and they will select semi-finalists. In the next stage, semi-finalists will be contacted to participate in an interview with CLCCM’s selection committee. Please note that all contact regarding your application will be sent to the email address you supplied in your application.
Q: How will participants be selected?
A: Selection will be based on the applicant's enthusiasm for learning Chinese, strong sense of character, and desire to succeed. Since Chinese culture(s) and daily living in China are significantly different from conditions in the U.S., the maturity and readiness for a challenging academic and international experience are very important. Applicants are also encouraged to clearly articulate how this opportunity is linked to their future academic, personal, or professional goals.
Q: Will I receive credit at my home institution?
A: CLCCM cannot guarantee that a participant’s home high school will award credit for participation in the program. It is recommended that any applicant/participant who is concerned about obtaining credit for program participation consult with the appropriate school counselor to determine whether credit for the program is possible.
Q: How do I keep up my interest in and study Chinese?
A: Once you return from China, you may be able to continue your language learning at your high school. You can consider applying for a longer duration NSLI-Y program that will offer coursework at a higher level and for a longer period of time than the program you just completed. If you are still a high school student and you want an intensive domestic foreign language experience, visit more information.
If you will be applying to university, please visit The Language Flagship to learn about the Department of Defense’s Flagship language programs that provide U.S. Government scholarships at particular U.S. universities.
Q: What will happen with my deposit if I didn’t go to this trip?
A: The deposit will be returned in full if your child is not accepted by the committee. If your child is accepted by the program and withdraw, then the deposit can’t be returned.
Q: What will happen with my co-payment if I didn’t go to this trip?
A: The co-payment can't be returned after May 1st, or after air ticket was purchased.