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Trip to China offers professional development opportunity

5 March 2008

Lianne Gordon experienced first hand how our host universities operate on a recent visit to China.

Monash's Lianne Gordon immersed herself in the local culture and experienced first hand how Monash's host universities operate on a recent visit to China.

Ms Gordon is the International Programs Officer for the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics.

Ms Gordon visited two universities in Beijing and one in Shanghai to evaluate the success of Monash's Chinese Incountry Program, a Chinese language training program taught in Shanghai and Beijing every year during the summer semester.

Over 1300 students have joined the program since its inception seven years ago, completing one or two units of Chinese studies in an intensive three or six week program.

Ms Gordon said the trip had given her an international understanding and enhanced her knowledge of offshore operations, allowing her to work more closely with overseas counterparts.

"During my visit, I got to see first hand how the university handles the students' enrolment and orientation," she said.

"I also met with key administrative figures, including the Dean, as well as colleagues teaching the various Chinese units."

Jelena Bogdanovic, Manager of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, said the visit was a fantastic professional development opportunity for Ms Gordon.

"I believe that both academic and general staff should understand the operations and administration of our host universities," Ms Bogdanovic said.

Ms Gordon said she now had a better understanding of the facilities available to teaching staff and students.

"I am now able to make well informed recommendations for the development of the Chinese Incountry Program," she said.

"This type of first hand knowledge will certainly go towards improving the quality of teaching in our offshore Programs and the administration of a large number of Monash students abroad."

Ms Gordon said the trip, which included walking on the Great Wall of China and wearing traditional dress from the Qing Empire, had also given her a greater understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.

For further information please visit the Chinese Incountry Program website.