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.
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.
Applications for the 2025-2027 cohort are now closed. The application for the 2026-2028 cohort will open in the fall.
Early application deadline: December 1, 2025
Final application deadline: March 2, 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, with food provided. Register here to attend in-person or virtually.
February 5, 12 pm
February 13, 2 pm
February 21, 11 am
February 25 - Pizza with Former Fellows, 11:30 am - 1 pm. Register here.
March 3, 4 pm
How else can I learn more?
Follow us on Instagram! Find out about events, and see spotlights of all our current Fellows.