In 2014, the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse established a connection with the English Department Huaqiao University in Xiamen/Quanzhou, China. This is part of a larger relationship that DePaul has had with Huaqiao since 2012. Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in TESOL program together with an MA in WRD or a related field have been preferred applicants for one-year teaching appointments in the Huaqiao English Department. Several DePaul graduates have taught at Huaqiao since 2014.
Visiting Scholars from Huaqiao have spent time at DePaul, and DePaul faculty have led classes at Huaqiao. A full-time university position in China can be a strong foundation for continued work in English language teaching in the U.S. or in other countries. Furthermore, spending time working and living abroad can be an invaluable personal experience and is seen as an asset by employers in many sectors.
For more information on this opportunity, email the Graduate Certificate in TESOL Coordinator, Professor Jason Schneider (jason.schneider@depaul.edu).
Huaqiao University at a Glance
Founded in 1960, Huaqiao University has over 28,000 students and 2,000 faculty and staff. Huaqiao has two campuses located in the Fujian cities of Quanzhou and Xiamen.
In 2013, WRD Department Chair Peter Vandenberg and TESOL Coordinator Jason Schneider each traveled to Fujian and met with members of Huaqia’s English department while also touring the university’s campuses and surrounding region.
Life in Fujian
Fujian province is located on the southeast coast of China’s mainland with a population of 37.2 million, their official language being Mandarin. Huaqiao University has campuses in two coastal cities: Quanzhou and Xiamen.
Quanzhou
- Population: 8.7 million
- Warm and wet tropical marine climate
- Average temperature: 18
C-20
C (64
F-68
F)
- Called “the place to see coastal China at its most local” by CNN Travel
- Attractions: Quanzhou Maritime Museum, Ashab Mosque and Islamic Cemetery, Kaiyuan Temple, Luoyang Bridge
Xiamen
- Population: 4.1 million
- Maritime climate with spring-like temperatures during all four seasons
- Average temperature: 20.8
C (69.4
F)
- Known as one of China’s most tourist-friendly cities
- Gulangyu Island – famous for its picturesque beaches and lack of automobiles (they’re banned on the island) – only a ten-minute ferry ride away
- Attractions: Shuzhuang Garden, Nanputuo Temple,
Very cool. This is an excellent opportunity with DePaul’s Chinese sister school.