Bemidji State has launched the NorthStar Visiting Scholar Academy, which will improve understanding and cooperation between scholars from China and those from the United States. The non-profit academy will welcome four visiting scholars to campus this year, two of whom have already arrived in Bemidji and begun their work. The remaining two will arrive later this month.

Wang Hongxia and Li Wei, both professors from the Beijing Youth Politics College, have been at BSU since late August experiencing the life and culture on campus and in the community.

While at BSU, Li and Wang will attend seminars, workshops and classes at BSU focusing on cross-cultural and academic exchange. The program will help the visiting scholars to better understand the U.S. education system, the cultural environment and other aspects of American life. In addition, they will have access to selected classes of their choice on a non-credit basis.

All visiting scholars will be assigned a professor at Bemidji State University to serve as a mentor during their stay at the university.