Program overview
Simply put, this program lets you study a foreign language (like English, French, German, Japanese, etc.) while also diving into foreign history. You’ll not only master listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translation in one or more languages, but also gain deep insights into the historical context, cultural evolution, and social changes of the countries or regions behind those languages. Core courses include World History, Regional and National History (e.g., European History, Southeast Asian History), Introduction to Linguistics, Translation Theory and Practice, and Cross-Cultural Communication. It’s perfect for students who are curious about both languages and history, and love figuring out “why people from this country think the way they do.” A unique feature of Chinese universities in this field is that many schools (like Beijing Foreign Studies University and Shanghai International Studies University) have dedicated regional and country research centers, combining less-commonly taught languages with specific regional history and culture—for example, Arabic + Middle Eastern History, Spanish + Latin American History—so you can specialize more deeply.