* DOCUMENTED COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AWARDED

2008 details for this program are subject to change as new developments and opportunities arise. Please check this page again for new updates; or contact Angus Whyte, Student Travel Program Coordinator, for the latest information.

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 2008 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 South, including Hong Kong and Guiyang, the North, including Xian and the tiny rural village of Pengliu, and finally, the Imperial city of Beijing, host of the 2008 Summer Olympics and home to over 14 million people. Bridge China participants will:

• Learn the basics of Chinese culture and language through formal daily instruction

• Teach conversational English to Chinese children

• Learn Chinese martial arts, cooking and calligraphy

• Discover the vast differences between urban and rural Chinese society

• Explore some of China’s dominant social, political, and economic issues

• Understand the challenges and issues that children of migrant workers face.

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! We are looking for 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, and be prepared to meet new people, experience new cultures, and try amazing new foods.

PROJECTED 2008 ITINERARY:
Days 1-3:  Fly into Hong Kong where you will meet your group for two days of orientation.  During this time, the group will get to know each other and have some time to explore Hong Kong and Macau before boarding a train and heading to Guiyang.

Days 4-15:  Once in Guiyang, you will be very busy. You will settle into a daily routine consisting of Chinese language and cultural activities in the morning and conversational English classes and group activities in the afternoon

Day 16:  Overnight train to Xian!

Days 17-22:  These days will be spent exploring the ancient wonders of the old capital city of China. Highlights will include the famous Terracotta Army of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi: you will be amazed at the soldiers, thousands of them, standing in battle formation as they did over two thousand years ago! 

Days 22-26:  Your time in Pengliu Village will be spent immersed in rural peasant life.  You will live with a peasant family, and  spend time with your host family gaining a real understanding of daily life in the countryside. In Pengliu you will also teach conversational English to the village children, and learn mahjong from the village Elders.

Day 27:  Overnight train to Beijing!

Days 28-32:  Live, learn, and work at the Dandelion School on the outskirts of Beijing.  You will engage in language classes,  cultural activities, and a service project. The Dandelion School will you teach you  a deep understanding and appreciation of the difficult lives of the children of migrant workers.  Mornings will be spent in the classrooms both practicing Chinese and teaching English, while afternoons will be spent working  on a community garden or some  similar community service project. And of course, excursions into the city center will give you the opportunity to see such legendary sites as the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square,  and the Forbidden City.

Day 33-35:  Hike the Great Wall! Did you know that you can see this incredible ancient wonder from space?  Actually this is a strange sort of urban myth, and not true at all; just the kind of myth we hope to dispel during Bridge China. Return to the hostel in downtown Beijing where you will spend your last day in China, enjoying a delicious final banquet, and participating in group closure activities.

Program Details:
Dates: 6/28-8/2
Tuition: $5,195
Group Size: 18 students and 3 professional leaders
Student Grade Level: Finishing Grades 9-12
Starting/Ending Point: Hong Kong / Beijing (optional group flight out of San Francisco)
Accommodations: Youth Hostels, Camping
Major Equipment Needs: Sleeping bag and pad, multi-sport outdoor shoes, day pack. As with all of our programs, cell phones and personal listening devices (iPods, Discmans, etc.) are not welcome.  Students will be able to call home three times: once upon arrival to the starting point, once ten days into the program and once two days before the program’s end date.  

Tuition for this program is due in full by April 1, 2008. Travel expenses to and from the starting and ending points are the responsibility of the participant and are not included in the tuition. Windsor Mountain's travel consultant can help you in securing the most reasonable plan for coordinating your travel itinerary.