Frequently asked questions
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Application
Who can apply for CAST?
College students who are US citizens or permanent residents with beginning or intermediate Chinese proficiency. CAST accepts both public and private school students.
How to apply for CAST?
Submit application by February 15, 2022
Provide proof of current enrollment of post-secondary academic programs along with application.
No application fee.
Completed applications will be reviewed.
Qualified candidates will be interviewed.
What will I learn from CAST?
Chinese language and culture. CAST aims to help you develop your Chinese through popular literature and multimedia.
Where does CAST occur？
The two-week residential Summer Camp (2022) will be hosted at San Francisco State University (1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132) . Book Club and Forums are virtual meetings.
What will be my cost to attend CAST?
The following expenses are covered by CAST.
Application fee
Tuition
Books or online reading material required in Book Club
Two weeks on-campus accommodation at SFSU
Field trip transportation and admissions in Summer Camp
Breakfast and refreshments in Summer Camp
Wifi on campus
The following expense are on your own.
Meals (lunch and dinner)
Transportation from your home to SFSU and from SFSU back to your home
Parking at SFSU
What is proof of current enrollment?
Any *one* of the following documents is considered acceptable proof of enrollment:
A scanned copy of your student identification card demonstrating that you will be enrolled in Spring 2022. If your card does not have an explicit date on it, it must indicate in some way that you are enrolled for the 2022 school year. An identification card that only contains the date you started school is not acceptable.
A transcript or course list showing the courses you are enrolled in for dates that include January 31 , 2022. A transcript in .txt format is NOT acceptable. A transcript marked "Unofficial Transcript" will suffice from most institutions.
A letter from your school student affairs or admissions office stating that you are enrolled as a student for a time period that includes January 31 , 2022. This letter must:
be on school letterhead
display a school seal or logo
contain a signature and phone number or email address of a representative from the admissions office
We don't need to see your private information (phone number, grades received, tuition amount, address, personal ID number, etc.). Feel free to block them out.
All documents must clearly show your name and the name and address of the issuing school.
If you have questions about whether your document is acceptable, just upload it to the application form or send it to castartalk@gmail.com.If it is not acceptable, we will ask you to upload a different document within a specified time frame. You will receive an email when your form is rejected or needs to be fixed.
Do I need to be fully vaccinated?
Yes. Accepted students must show proof of being fully vaccinated. You are considered fully immunized against COVID-19 after
You got a Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, or
You got a second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or
You finished the series of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization [WHO] and
You got a vaccine booster shot received by March 31, 2022. (The Californian State University announces COVID-19 booster requirement on December 22, 2021)
You are required to provide vaccination record by March 31, 2022 to confirm your enrollment. Fail to provide vaccination record will cause termination of enrollment. Vaccination requirement is subject to change in accordance with changes in California State University regulations and public health guidance.
Virtual Book Club
What is the Book Club?
The students will read comics, popular fictions and watch animation to brush up their Chinese. You will have opportunity to participant in group discuss and select your favorite book among the list provided by instructional lead.
We will mail the book to you if it is required and you can keep the book.
Book Club virtual meeting is every Friday 4pm - 6pm PT from May 23 to August 26, 2022.
What happens if I miss the weekly Book Club?
Because learning occurs primarily through engagement in class activities and discussions, regular attendance is assumed. Absences are for major illness or family emergencies only and you must communicate with program admin at castartalk@gmail.com. In such instances, students are responsible for contacting admin and completing work missed due to absence. You will write a summary of the readings you missed. Students can miss no more than two meeting sessions to ensure completion of CAST. If you miss more than two meetings or are repeatedly tardy, your will be terminated from CAST and will not receive a program graduation certificate.
Summer Camp
What will the schedule for Summer Camp look like?
The regular class time will be 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM including evening activities (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM). Evening activities are approximately once a week.
Lunch break is 12:00 PM to 1: 00 PM.
Schedule might be changed to accommodate curriculum and field trips.
Detailed schedule will be shared with accepted students in June, 2022.
What are the field trips?
Please check out field trips for CAST. Field trips are required (not optional). Transportation and admission are included. Field trip options are subject to change based on curriculum schedule.
Am I required to stay in on campus accommodation during Summer Camp?
Yes, you are required to stay in on campus accommodation provided by CAST to attend evening activities. This applies to San Francisco Bay Area residents.
Do I need to share room with other participant?
Yes. You will share one bed-room or two bed-room suites with other participants. Maximize 5 students per suite. You do not need to share bed. For more information, please visit Towers at Centennial Square at SFSU.
Can I request for single occupancy for Summer Camp?
Yes and it depends on availability. You will be responsible for all charges of the single occupancy including taxes and other associated fees.
How early can I check in for Summer Camp?
You can check in on Sunday, June 12, 2022 the earlies. If you cannot check in on Sunday June 12, 2022 , please email castartalk@gmail.com.
When can I check out for Summer Camp?
The Summer Camp will end on Friday, June 24 at 1:00 PM PT. Please schedule your flight accordingly if you plan to leave on Friday. All students must check out on Saturday, June 25, 2022 the latest .
Will CAST cover my flight or transportation to Summer Camp?
No. You will be responsible for arranging your own transportation to SFSU. If you are flying into San Francisco, we recommend San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
I am driving to SFSU. Where can I park my car?
Please visit Parking at SFSU. If you consider parking outside SFSU, we strongly recommend you look for a secure long term parking space. Street parking is not recommended.
Is Parking included during Summer Camp?
No. Parking at SFSU is available at your own expenses.
Are meals included for Summer Camp?
Breakfast during the two- week Summer Camp are included. Lunches and dinners are on your own expenses. You can visit available Food vendors at SFSU. Some lunches in field trips might be covered by CAST.
What do I need to bring for Summer Camp?
The suite will provide beds, linen, desk, wardrobe ,private bathroom, kitchenette (no cooking utensils) and living room. Laptop is recommended for group project. For more information, please visit Towers at Centennial Square at SFSU.
Will I have chances to visit San Francisco?
You may take advantage of field trip and visit the city after the filed trip ends. There will be no classes on weekends (June 18 & 19, 2022). CAST will also provide a few open afternoons for you to manage your own time.