Yiwu Industrial & Commercial College (YWICC) grew out of the Yiwu campus of Hangzhou University, founded in 1993. YWICC is the major center for higher vocational education in the city of Yiwu, and there are currently over 12,000 students on its 160-acre campus. The College is divided into 9 departments, providing a wide range of courses in fields such as humanities, engineering, foreign studies, social sciences, and business management.
More importantly, YWICC features the School of International Education. Since the beginning of the program in 2007, over 10,000 international students from more than 100 countries have studied at the School. In fact, as of 2019, there were nearly 1,400 international students enrolled, taking up almost 15% of the College’s total enrollment. YWICC has been rated as Top 50 among the vocational colleges in China in terms of international influence, enrolling the most number of international students in Zhejiang Province.
Two types of study programs are available for international students. The first one is the Chinese language program, in which students study the Chinese language and practice their skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Relevant classes on Chinese culture are also offered, and students can take the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK), or the Chinese Proficiency Test, held right at the school four times a year to examine their achievements in the language program.
For those who are already proficient with the Chinese language and fulfill the proficiency requirement of HSK level 4 or higher, they can choose the academic program to acquire professional knowledge and skills for their future career. Students enrolled in this program can take the various types of courses offered at the nine faculties of YWICC mentioned above. The program particularly emphasizes courses on an overview of the Chinese society, as well as knowledge and skills on e-commerce and international trade, all of which are crucial to achieving success in a city of trade like Yiwu. A full-length academic program of three years begins every September.
In addition to learning the Chinese language and academic knowledge in different professions, international students are provided with all kinds of electives, particularly those related to Chinese culture, including Chinese Martial Arts (commonly known as Kung Fu), calligraphy, traditional painting and music, and the tea culture. Besides, students are organized to conduct research on and attend classes in Yiwu’s enormous small commodities markets and other communities and industrial parks. Many YWICC students have also participated in provincial-level competitions in starting businesses and career planning, winning several awards. These activities enable them to learn about trending industries such as live video streaming, enhancing their real-world experience and skills so that they are better equipped for future careers.
Various social activities are also available for international students at YWICC. For instance, cultural exchange activities such as the International Cultures Festival allow students from different countries in the world to learn more about the Chinese culture as well as each other’s cultural backgrounds. Competitions in listening and writing the Chinese language, photography, speech, and calligraphy are held regularly. Field trips to conventions in different industries, factories, as well as tourist attractions in nearby regions are also organized for international students. Moreover, under the College’s organization, international students conduct all kinds of volunteering and community service activities, allowing them to gain practical skills while contributing to local communities.
Thanks to Yiwu’s rapid development of commerce, starting businesses are popular among YWICC’s students, both Chinese and international, and the College has taken steps to provide related resources and facilities. Over 30 entrepreneurship bases in and outside of the College have been made accessible to students, and the YWICC Pioneer Park provides them with many needed services for business right on campus.
For international students with outstanding performance, scholarships at various levels are available, including those offered by the College, the city government of Yiwu, and even the government of Zhejiang Province.
All these characteristics have enabled YWICC’s international programs to gain a high reputation among Chinese and foreign citizens in Yiwu. The Chinese language program has been highly regarded by the foreign residents I’ve communicated with. A number of Middle Eastern merchants considered the classes very helpful in their learning of the Chinese language and culture, both of which are vital to their business ventures in Yiwu. The quality of the College’s academic program is also praised by Mr. Jin, the vice president of the Yiwu Futian Social E-commerce Association, who said in an interview, "Some foreign students here start their own business in the first year of studying at the technical college in Yiwu, and may be driving a Maserati by graduation, realizing their dreams of financial freedom.”
Yiwu is a rising city full of opportunities for success, not just for the Chinese but for everyone in the world! And YWICC’s international program will be an ideal place for aspiring young people like you to study and seize these opportunities. If you wish to apply, check out the information below and start your journey at YWICC today!
Important links:
YWICC School of International Education website: https://lxs.ywicc.edu.cn/index.htm
International admissions info (2021): https://lxs.ywicc.edu.cn/info/1012/2835.htm
International admissions Q&A: https://lxs.ywicc.edu.cn/zsxx/lxwd.htm
Introduction to majors and courses: https://lxs.ywicc.edu.cn/info/1100/2266.htm
Introduction to YWICC: https://en.ywicc.edu.cn/info/1012/1092.htm
