RADFORD -- A group of 10 RU students recently visited China as part of the Zylphia Shu-En Kirk Scholars Program and received a warm welcome from the Chinese news media.

A handful of media reports documented the Radford scholars’ visit to Shanghai Normal University’s third annual International Arts Festival, where RU students learned about Chinese calligraphy, painting and tai chi. “Chinese calligraphy has become a distinguishing part of the Chinese language program at Radford University,” one Chinese media outlet noted. “Professor Zhang Xin of SHNU has been invited for a visit to Radford University to give lectures and show the art of calligraphy with his students.”

Another Shanghai media outlet noted that Jon Stauff, director of RU’s International Education Center, and foreign languages professor I-Ping Fu presented on “the concept of international education in the American university” and “Chinese learning in an American university and Sino-US cultural communication."

RU students and professors visited China for a four-week study abroad program as part of the Zylphia Shu-En Kirk Scholars Program, which is offered through the RU International Education Center.

The Kirk Scholars Program allows select RU students to study Mandarin Chinese for two semesters and travel to China during May and June. While in China, the selected students continue their language studies and have an opportunity to visit such sites as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The trip begins in Beijing where students stay at Beijing Language and Cultures University. The group also travels to locations around China, including the Yunnan Province and Shanghai.

The Zylphia Shu-En Kirk Endowment was established in 1999 by RU graduate and Board of Visitors member R.J. Kirk. The program, named in honor of Kirk’s daughter, enables students to experience the Chinese culture firsthand at a minimal expense. The Kirk Scholarship covers most travel expenses, such as airfare, tuition at Chinese universities, lodging, some meals, tours and international student insurance.

The trip emphasizes a goal set forth in RU’s 7-17 strategic plan to develop strong relationships with international communities by promoting fluency in foreign languages and cross-cultural awareness among all students.

To learn more, visit the Kirk Scholars Program web site, or contact the RU International Education Center at (540) 831-6200 or iec@radford.edu.