Study Tour to China

June 21 - July 8, 2006

May 13-14 - Bloomington Orientation

June 20, 5 pm - Chicago Orientation

Date TBA - Bloomington follow-up.

Tour Information

Purpose		Costs
Tour Leaders		Other Participant Responsibilities
Tour Sponsers		Orientation
Eligilibity		Follow-Up
Itinerary		Rigors of Traveling
Contact Information

Purpose

This study tour for middle and high school teachers is designed to let you experience firsthand important cultural, historical and educational aspects of China. During your travels you will visit key cultural landmarks, museums, and other sites. You will visit Chinese schools and observe classes, if possible. While we will travel as a group, we have left time for you to take charge of your own learning through independent exploration and research. We hope that these many firsthand experiences will provide you with the information, insights, and artifacts you need to help cultivate greater understanding of China in your schools and communities.

Tour Sponsors

Funding for this study tour is made possible through the generous support of the Freeman Foundation. The Foundation is committed to providing educational opportunities about East Asia for American educators and students grades 6-12. Our tour is offered as a part of the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA), the same program under which IU offers its Teaching about Asia seminars. NCTA also includes regional coordinating sites at the University of Washington, University of Colorado, Columbia University, and the Five College Center for East Asian Studies (Smith College).

Tour Leaders

Anne Prescott, EASC Outreach Coordinator, will lead this study tour. Faculty expert Jim Winship, Augustana College, Rock Island IL; Curriculum Consultant John Frank, Center Grove High School, Greenwood IN; and Tour Logistics Coordinator Jessica Dzieweczynski, Indiana University graduate student, will accompany the group.

Eligibility

Note: Eligible individuals will be notified of their eligibility by e-mail and letter.

Applicants must be alumni of the Teaching about Asia seminar. Individuals may participate in only one EASC-Freeman sponsored study tour. Up to 20 qualified teachers will go on the trip; there are about 400 individuals eligible to apply. Participants must have a valid passport. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that passport and other travel documents are in order. Finally, while it is not required, we encourage participants to have e-mail and Internet access. Much of the pre-departure information, study materials, and discussion among the participants will be communicated via e-mail and this specially-designed study tour website.

Itinerary

The tour will incorporate historical, cultural and educational components in several cities in China. The tour will begin with an orientation in Bloomington (date TBA). This will give participants the opportunity to meet one another, develop personal and group goals for the trip, and begin delving into the culture and history of China with the tour leaders.

Highlights of the tour will include:

Beijing Great Wall	Beijing Forbidden City
Beijing Temple of Heaven	Beijing Peking Duck
Xi'an Terracotta Warriors	Xi'an Great Mosque
Xi'an Jiao.zi Chinese Dumplings	Xi'an Temple of the Eight Immortals
Shanghai Bund	Shanghai Old Town
Hong Kong Museum of History	South China Sea Cruise

Costs

Costs covered by EASC

Round-trip airfare from Chicago to China
Double-occupancy accommodations
Transportation to group functions in China
Entrance fees/tickets to group functions in China
VISA fees
All breakfasts and some other meals
Selected texts for pre-departure study
Food and accommodations during orientation in Bloomington
Food and accommodations during orientation in Chicago
Food and accommodations during the follow-up session in Bloomington

Costs covered by participants

$500 non-refundable fee (due upon notification of acceptance)
transportation to and from Chicago
transportation to and from orientation in Bloomington
transportation to and from follow-up session in Bloomington
health and repatriation insurance (required)
sightseeing costs incurred during independent study time in China
some meals
alcoholic beverages
ID and passport fees
Telephone calls and personal expenses
One gift for official visit

Other Participant Responsibilities

Participants are also expected to submit a lesson plan in the format provided by the curriculum consultant. These lesson plans should include knowledge or materials acquired on the study tour. These lesson plans, due by January 15, 2007, will be compiled and provided to each member of the study tour.

Orientation

The main orientation for study tour participants will be held at the Bloomington campus of Indiana University May 13-14, 2006. Orientation activities will include lectures on Chinese history and culture, development of group and personal trip goals, exchange of practical travel tips, and discussion of cultural dos and don’ts. Participants are responsible for travel expenses to and from Bloomington, but food and lodging will be provided by EASC.

Follow-up

In addition to the orientations before the study tour, participants are required to participate in a follow-up program in Bloomington (date TBA). The purpose of the follow-up is to reflect on the trip, share experiences, and update colleagues on how materials are being implemented in the classroom. Once again, participants are responsible for travel expenses to and from Bloomington, but food and lodging will be provided by EASC.

Rigors of Traveling

Before submitting an application, prospective applicants should be sure they are able to meet the following travel challenges we will likely encounter: extended periods of hot, humid weather; crowded ground transportation; high levels of air pollution; many stairs; and extended periods of walking (will likely exceed 5 miles on many days). Participants should be prepared to carry their own luggage long distances (through airports and train stations, from buses to hotels) and be able to load/unload their own luggage from buses and trains. Participants should be in good health, adaptable to a variety of circumstances, and sensitive to cultural differences. We recommend enrolling in a general fitness program if you are not already.

For More Information

Ken Harvey
Outreach Coordinator
E-mail: harveyk@indiana.edu
Phone: 812-855-9319 or 1-800-441-EASC (3272)

Tour Information: