Bridge China

With a population of over one billion people, the nation of China represents one of the oldest civilizations on earth. Modern China is a country that is looking to the future - it has the world's fastest growing economy - while striving to maintain contact with its rich, diverse history and preserve its fascinating culture, which is credited with many astounding artistic and scientific achievements.

Bridge China 2009 gives students the opportunity to experience first hand this intriguing land of mystery and history. Our group will travel to three contrasting areas of the country: the Northern province of Hebei, including the Imperial city of Beijing, host of the 2008 Summer Olympics and home to over 14 million people, the central province of Shaanxi, including Xian and the tiny rural village of Pengliu, and finally, the 'special administrative district' of Hong Kong in the South, where a fascinating mix of Eastern and Western cultures combine to create one of the most exciting cities in the world. Bridge China participants will:

• Improve Chinese language skills by leaps and bounds during a ten-day intensive language immersion program in Beijing

• Learn the ins and outs of Chinese culture through fun activities, sightseeing, and interaction with Chinese peers

• Make a difference by joining the earthquake relief effort in Shaanxi Province

• Take classes in Chinese martial arts, cooking, and calligraphy

• Explore China's dominant social, political, and economic issues

• Discover the vast differences between urban and rural Chinese society

Who Should Participate?

This program is designed for students interested in traveling to an exciting destination to share in cross-cultural experiences, community service learning, and language opportunities. Students should join this program ready to immerse themselves in Chinese culture. Our itinerary includes intensive classes in Chinese language and culture, plenty of sightseeing, and a week living with a Chinese family in a rural, agricultural village. We are looking for motivated students who are interested in working with younger children and are eager to teach and share creative activities and games in a school setting. Students should arrive with an open mind, prepared to meet new people, experience new cultures, and try amazing new foods.

2009 Proposed Itinerary:

click here to view 2009 Proposed Calendar

Days 1-3: Orientation in Beijing: Group bonding. Initiative games. Chinese Culture 101—learn to use taxis, buses and subways. Prepare for upcoming language camp.

Days 4-14: Language Immersion at Beijing Normal: Take intensive Chinese classes in the morning, explore Beijing in the afternoon and evening. See the Great Wall. Visit the Confucius Temple. Walk to the Hu Tong District. See Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, and the Summer palace. Attend a performance at the Lao She Teahouse. Learn to barter at Pan Jia Yuan market, the Silk Market, or the Xi Dan Shopping District. Overnight Train to Xian!

Day 15-17: Explore the ancient city of Xian: Visit the Wild Goose pagoda, the Terra Cotta Warriors, the Muslim Quarter, and the Bell Tower. Shop in the Bai Hui market. Attend a Tang Style cultural show. Walk the City wall. Take a train to service learning/earthquake relief location near Xian (tba).

Days 18-24: Earthquake Relief: Teach ESL and Friendship Games to young children in the morning; work on rebuilding projects in the afternoon. Take train to Pengliu village for Family Home Stay week.

Days 25-29: Family Home Stay: Rural Village Life. Work with farmers in the fields in the morning; play games with Chinese peers in the afternoon. Fly to Hong Kong for program wrap up!

Days 30-33: Hong Kong: Explore amazing HK, where East meets West. Visit Victoria Peak. Eat Dim Sum. Shop in the many commercial/shopping areas. Mini-MMT in Kowloon. Walk the Star Light Road. Take the ferry to Macao to see Da San Ba (Christian Pilgrimage site), the coastal fortress, and sample the unique Chinese/Portugese cuisine.

Day 34: Fly Home!!

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2009 details for this program are subject to change as new developments and opportunities arise. If you would like more information or have specific questions please contact Angus Whyte, Summer Travel Program Director, directly by email  or phone at   603-478-3166.