Transforming Lives of Chinese and Americans
The Yale-China Fellowship is a transformative two years for both the Yale-China Fellows and the Chinese students and community members they interact with. Select Yale graduates are chosen to spend two years teaching in China, where they not only become familiar with China but also make China their home. During their two years, Fellows gain an in-depth understanding of themselves, China, and Chinese language and culture, resulting in great personal and professional growth.
“My Yale-China experience truly sensitized me to the needs and aspirations of cultures other than my own. It put a “face” on what had previously just been an academic exercise.”
Teach and Lead
What do Yale-China Fellows do?
Yale-China Fellows have life-changing experiences while embedded within a Chinese community for two years. They inspire students as teachers, lead impactful projects and programs, learn Mandarin or Cantonese (or take their existing language ability to a new level) --all while gaining tangible professional skills that lead to exciting future career paths and life-long friendships. Learn about our current Fellows here.
Who can apply?
All Yale University graduates (including rising graduates) from the past five years. This includes Yale College and Yale Professional Schools.
How do I apply?
Applicants need to submit the following items:
One Page Resume
Transcript (Unofficial Accepted)
Three Recommendation Letters, of which one must be from a Yale faculty member and one must be from a language instructor. There is no requirement for the third recommender.
Dean’s Form, to be completed by the applicant’s residential college dean, academic mentor, or professional supervisor.
Second round applicants should also apply to CET Beijing’s summer session by the March 1 deadline.
Mainland Fellows will attend CET over their first summer to improve their Mandarin skills.
Applicants should select Yale-China as their home institution and do not need to request language recommendation or study abroad office endorsement, as Yale-China will provide the necessary materials directly. If necessary, list Kate Rosenberg, katherine.rosenberg@yale.edu, as the contact person for those sections.
Applying to CET does not commit an applicant to attending CET if they are not selected as a Yale-China Fellow; it merely allows time for the institution to process their documents in time to get a student visa for the summer.
When is the application deadline?
There are two application rounds for the Yale-China Fellowship: an early round and a regular round. Applicants can apply in either round, but space may be limited in the second round.
Early application deadline: December 1, 2025
Final application deadline: February 26, 2026
Dean’s forms and recommendation letters for second round applicants must be submitted by March 13, 2026/
I have more questions. What do I do?
Attend an info session (dates below)
Contact Education staff
How do I attend an Info Session?
All info sessions take place at 442 Temple St. Register here to attend or email education@yalechina.org to set up a one-on-one conversation.
Wednesday, January 28th, 2 pm
Thursday, February 5th, 11 am
Wednesday, February 11th, 1 pm
How else can I learn more?
Follow us on Instagram! Find out about events, and see spotlights of all our current Fellows.