Fall or Spring Semester

Fall Semester – 16 weeks (late August to late December)
Spring Semester – 18 weeks (early January to mid-May)
Academic Year

Sponsored by the Eli Broad College of Business, the College of Arts & Letters, James Madison College and the Department of Mathematics

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

City University offers the opportunity to study in a dynamic modern metropolis steeped in unique blends of Eastern and Western traditions - Hong Kong. Consistently ranked as one of the top universities in China, City University offers coursework in a wide range of disciplines where you will study alongside a diverse student body represented by over 25 nations. All courses are conducted in English, and Hong Kong provides an excellent hub for exploring mainland China and the entire Asian continent.

Where does it take place?

City University is located between the districts of Kowloon Tong and Shek Kip Mei in the region of Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is a densely populated campus with high rise dorms, tech savvy classrooms, escalators, and the highest ratio of computers per student out of any Hong Kong university. City U is a young dynamic institution founded in 1984.  It has a student population of more than 26,000 enrolled in over 145 programs in a wide range of disciplines. Some 1,000 full-time academic staff and 600 full-time research staff are devoted to teaching, basic and applied research, consultancy and other scholarly activities. It has a diverse campus with over 300 exchange students from 40+ countries.

What can I study?

Coursework will be available in the following disciplines:

While many of these subjects are approved areas of study, it is the student’s responsibility to consult with an adviser to determine specific course equivalencies and offerings during their intended semester of study.

Students may enroll in any of City University’s courses, such as the humanities and social sciences, subject to the approval of their MSU department for the transfer of credit upon return to the United States. (All courses will be taught in English.)

Students will be required to take a minimum of twelve (12) credits per semester.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit the student webpage.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Reigistrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

This program is open to MSU students only.

Participants must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 3.0 at the time of application and submit an essay with their application indicating their interest in the program and what particular aspects of Hong Kong appeal to them. Essays should demonstrate the applicant’s understanding and ability to manage cultural differences as well as their maturity in being an ambassador for MSU and the college they represent.

Furthermore, admission to this program is highly competitive and early application and high GPA is not a guarantee of admission.

All applicants will be subject to the admission requirements and enrollment constraints of City University of Hong Kong.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

City University will assist students to secure suitable housing for the period of time they will be on campus.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Business majors:

Jayne Braverman
Eli Broad College of Business
Undergraduate Academic Services
332 Eppley Center
Phone: (517) 355-7605

Dwight Handspike
Eli Broad College of Business
Undergraduate Academic Services
332 Eppley Center
Phone: (517) 355-7605

Arts & Letters majors:

Bethany Judge
College of Arts & Letters
200 Linton Hall
Phone: (517) 355-6519

James Madison majors:

Norman Graham
James Madison College
358 S. Case Hall
Phone:  (517) 353-3372 or 353-6753

Math majors:

Wellington Ow
Department of Mathematics
D309 Wells Hall
(517) 355-9698

For other majors or on-site issues:

John Jensen
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-8424

Do I need a passport or visa?

A valid passport and visa are required for entry into China. Participants are required to work directly with City University of Hong Kong staff to process their visa applications.

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

Funds paid directly by the student include:

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs were estimated at $6,246 for fall 2008.  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

A program fee of $106 (Fall 2008) is required and includes pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for fall semester programs, and October 15th for spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by September 15th for spring semester programs and by March 1st for fall programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records.

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu