Visit our BRIDGE CHINA BLOGSPOT for photos and news from our 2010 program!
China. The name alone conjures mystery, intrigue, and fascination. With a population of over one billion people, the modern nation of China is the culmination of thousands of years of cultural development. Bridge China 2011 offers students the opportunity to experience this awe-inspiring country firsthand. Our group will explore China the right way: hit all the tourist must-sees, while experienced Chinese-American leaders facilitate an examination of the dominant social, economic and political issues at play in the country through hands-on community service and cultural activities. From the ancient to the modern, the rural to the urban, the palaces of Beijing to the vegetable gardens of Pengliu to the exotic markets of Hong Kong, our students will meet amazing people, sample a wide variety of different delicacies, and gain a deep understanding of Chinese culture. But that’s not all: this summer our students will learn to become teachers and counselors when they design and implement a signature Windsor Mountain Friendship Camp for Chinese kids.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
2011 ITINERARY
Days 1-2: Orientation in Beijing. Group bonding. Initiative games. Chinese Culture 101—learn to use taxis, buses and subways. Practice your street Chinese. Wonder at the dizzying array of sights, sounds, smells and tastes that overwhelm the senses and tease the imagination.
Days 3-10: 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.
Days 11-13: 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. Ride bikes around the city wall. Brainstorm with your group in preparation for you upcoming home stays and community service projects.
Days 14-21: Family Home Stay/Friendship Camp/Service Learning. Rural Village Life. Work with farmers in the fields in the morning; lead a Friendship Camp for Chinese kids in the afternoon. Perfect your conversational language skills during intense mahjong tournaments with Village Elders. Fly to Hong Kong for end of program.
Days 22-25: Hong Kong. Explore amazing Hong Kong, 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 26: Fly Home!!
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?
Teenagers who want to have an amazingly fun summer! This program is designed for students interested in traveling to an exciting destination to share in cross-cultural experiences, community service learning, language opportunities, and most importantly—we are looking for motivated students who love working with kids, and are eager to teach and share creative activities and games in a camp setting. Students should join this program ready not only to immerse themselves in Chinese culture, but also to share Windsor Mountain culture with the youth of China. Our itinerary includes classes in language and culture, plenty of sightseeing, and a week living with a Chinese family in a rural, agricultural village. Students should arrive with an open mind, prepared to meet new people, experience new cultures, and try amazing new foods.
________________________________________________________________
2011 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 404-549-9197.