EASC Study Tour 2006
Topic of the Week
Welcome to the "Topic of the Week" series! Each week we will discuss areas of interest or things that need your attention in preparing for the Study Tour to China.
Week 10: Orientation
Orientation is just 2 weeks away, and we're making the final preparations for an intense weekend of getting to know each other, intense learning, and answering all of your questions about our upcoming China experience.
The orientation will be held at the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU), where you'll all be staying. Although official check-in time at the IMU isn't until 4:00, when you arrive, ask at the front desk if your room is ready. If it's not, you can either leave your luggage in your car or bring it to the Dogwood Room, where we'll be meeting.
The Dogwood Room is on the mezzanine level (one floor up from the hotel lobby). The IMU can be a bit confusing, so don't be afraid to ask for directions if you get lost! Most of the meeting rooms on the mezzanine level are named after trees, so if you see other rooms with “tree” names, you'll know you're close!
Don't forget to bring the following items with you:
• The Insight Guide: China guidebook you received from EASC (you are welcome to bring other guidebooks as well).
• The luggage you plan to take with you on the study tour packed, as nearly as possible, with the items you plan to take. We will do an exercise to see if you really can tote around as much luggage as you think you can!
• An item that tells the group something about you for your self-introduction. You will have one minute (you'll be timed!) to introduce yourself and your item, so choose wisely!
• Documents proving adequate insurance coverage for the trip, if you haven't already submitted those.
• United frequent flyer number, if you haven't already sent it to us.
• Curriculum project proposal (see Topic of the Week 6).
• Any other requested forms which you have not yet submitted.
Half of you received the book River Town and the other half, Foreign Babes in Beijing. One of our activities during the weekend centers on those two books, so you may want to bring whichever book you were assigned to read with you. At the orientation you will receive the other book to read before departure. You will also receive a couple of other books, so make sure to leave room in your suitcase for those.
If you need to reach me on Saturday morning before the orientation begins, my cell phone number is 309-236-8808. I can't get a signal everyplace in the IMU, so you may have to leave a message. I'll try to find a signal from time to time that morning to see if there are any messages.
The tentative agenda for the weekend is as follows:
May 13, Saturday
12:30-1:00 p.m. Registration, Dogwood Room, Indiana Memorial Union (IMU)
Turn in copy of your proof of insurance
Turn in United frequent flyer information
Turn in curriculum assignment to John Frank
1:00-1:30 p.m. Welcome and Introductions
Bring one item to introduce yourself in one minute
1:30-2:00 p.m. River Town vs. Foreign Babes
2:00-3:00 p.m. Overview of itinerary
Have your guidebooks with you.
3:00-3:15 p.m. Break
3:15-4:00 p.m. Education in China
A Chinese graduate student will offer an overview of the educational system in China and will answer any questions you might have
4:00-4:30 p.m. Globalization of China
4:30-5:15 p.m. Packing for a study tour; Can you carry that thing?
Becky Boyle, 2004 China Study Tour Participant
5:15-5:45 p.m. Hotel Check in
5:45-7:00 p.m. Dinner
7:15-7:30 p.m. Let's Speak Chinese! Part I, Jessica Dzieweczynski
7:30-8:30 p.m. Current Events in China, Jim Winship
May 14, Sunday
8:00–8:45a.m. Continental Breakfast, Dogwood Room, IMU
8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Curriculum Projects, John Frank
9:45-10:00 a.m. Let's Speak Chinese! Part II
10:00–10:15 a.m. Break
10:15–11:00 a.m. Q&A about practical concerns – luggage, money, itinerary, logistics, etiquette, etc.
11:00-11:30 Groups Goals
11:30–Noon Final wrap-up and farewell
* Box lunches will be distributed *
Noon–1:00 p.m. Planning your independent study time (Optional but recommended)
Study tour staff will be available for sightseeing recommendations, questions, etc. Maps, guidebooks, and other information on China will be available.
Last updated: 5/1/06
URL: http://www.indiana.edu/~easc/studytour/accepted/
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Copyright 2005, The Trustees
of Indiana University