2008 summer Chinese Study Tour Program

◆ Our Program

Our Study Tour Program is designed specifically for students aged 14 to 20, who have a deep interest in Chinese language and culture to learn Mandarin and experience Chinese culture while participating in a homestay with a resident teenager. This unique program features one month of living with a host family while studying Chinese at a renowned university in Beijing and 2 weeks of travel to some of China's most famous and beautiful destinations.

Students will join Chinese Immersion Program at Beijing Language and Culture University for 4 weeks. The host families are specially selected for hosting teenagers. In the families, students will be taken good care of and have full immersion with the language and culture.
More than an academic in-class learning experience, our program also makes it possible for students to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and participate in a series of volunteer activities. Our program features a variety of activities, including cultural excursions, volunteer events, and after-class activities while learning Mandarin in Beijing and also a 2 week travel tour to Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Combining Chinese language classes with an exciting tour of China makes our program the most well-balanced language and culture immersion program in China.

Students who seek total language immersion, and demonstrate a high regard for different values, cultures and people are encouraged to apply to Lotus Study Tour program.

There are a lot of wonderful and exciting events waiting for you in Lotus Study Tour! Join us and experience China in a different and unique way! 

◆ Chinese Program

Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) is the only University in China whose main function is to teach Chinese language and culture to foreign students. Over the last several years, more than 20,000 foreign students have graduated from BLCU. Every year, some 3,000 students from several countries, and more than 1,000 Chinese students study here. BLCU is by far the largest and most popular university to study Chinese for foreign students. The HSK Test (Chinese TOEFL) is administered and developed by BLCU.

Each weekday morning for four hours each day (with breaks), students will join a Chinese Immersion Program class at BCLU. The classes offer lectures on the Chinese language as well as instruction on written and oral communication. Students will be graded based on test results, completion of homework and attendance. Students Credit transfer is available. After-class electives are also provided by the university.

◆ Stay with host families

Staying with a local family is definitely the best way to learn to speak Chinese and have close contact with the Chinese culture. Students will stay with a Chinese family with a resident teenager. As a fully integrated family member, student will eat, watch TV, shop, and experience daily life with "mom, dad and brother or sister." Meanwhile, students won't have to give up their privacy as they will have their own space -- a private bedroom.

These families for hosting teenage students are carefully chosen and interviewed from a large number of applicants. They will help students in orientation when first arriving, and give them good assistance and support in their life, especially in unexpected situation such as falling sick. They will also be warm and open-mined to offer teenagers a real family environment where students can learn Chinese language, know Chinese culture and customs and build friendship with the family, which often lasts beyond students’ stay in China. In addition to our on-site staff, the host families will also assist the student and provide all the necessary information and first-hand help needed during their stay.  

Please click Host Families for the detailed information.

◆ Culture Activities in Beijing

 
In addition to an academic in-class learning experience, our Study Tour program also features a variety of activities, including cultural activities, volunteer events, and weekend excursions while learning Mandarin in Beijing. The activities are designed to give students the opportunity to communicate with local people, learn Chinese culture and have a chance to do volunteer work in China.

Chinese traditional art: Students will have the opportunities to enjoy genuine Chinese traditional art performances such as Peking Opera, acrobatics, etc.

Chinese martial arts: The curriculum will teach students the basic forms and routines of Chinese contemporary Wushu (martial arts).

Panel discussion with Chinese students: Students will attend panel discussions on global issues, culture, history, etc, with Homestay brothers and sisters. Exchange with Chinese students of the same age will deepen students’ understanding of Chinese culture and enhance their Mandarin ability.

Chinese cooking class:  We offer a vegetarian cooking class to give students some basic training in Chinese cooking and students can enjoy the interesting experience of cooking.

Painting class: Classes introduce elements of the traditional art of Chinese watercolor painting under the guidance of a professional artist.

Weekend excursions: On weekends, students will tour the famous and historical sights in or surrounding Beijing. Sights include: Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Wang Fujing Street, Lama Temple, Confucian Temple and the Hutong Tour, Badachu Park, etc.

During the excursion, Beijing Lotus Staff will introduce traditional Chinese culture and history. Students will have an interesting hands-on experience of studying the Chinese language. They will learn new idioms, sayings, etc. through a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture. They will also receive nice surprising gifts from our on-site staff.

※Optional activities:
Tourist visits arranged with host families
Lotus can also arrange tourist visits in and around Beijing with their host families for students at a low cost. Students will be guided by their host families to visit famous sight-seeing and cultural sites. They will learn Chinese language, culture and history and have fun interaction with their host families during the visits.

◆ Charity Excursions

Excursion to Senior Center: We organize one charity excursion to senior center during students' trip in Beijing. Students will go with our Beijing staff and Chinese volunteers. A series of activities such as cleaning, free clinic, massage and entertainment show will be organized for the seniors. You will have a unique opportunity to hear their stories, to lend a helping hand and to simply give companionship.

The aim of these excursions is to help students understand the real life in other communities of China and learn "filial piety" 孝道 (xiào dào), to be dutiful to one's parents and treat other elderly people with respect as if they were one's own parents-a very important part of traditional Chinese culture.

◆ Tour to Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai and Hong Kong

  Xi'an
The cultural and historical significance, as well as the abundant relics and sites, helps Xi'an enjoy the laudatory title of 'Natural History Museum'. The Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is praised as 'the eighth major miracle of the world', The City Wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) is the largest and most intact Ming Dynasty castle in the world.

Around Xian, the Famen Temple enjoys the reputation of being the 'forefather of pagodas and temples in Central Shaanxi,' because it holds the finger bones of Sakyamuni -- the founder of Buddhism.

Students will also see the renowned Big Goose Pagoda. Big Goose Pagoda is one of the oldest structures in China, also the most beautiful building left in Xian today.

  Chengdu
Named "The Land of Abundance", Chengdu has a pleasant climate, rich products, peaceful life environment and friendly people. An often quoted Chinese saying is, "Once you come to Chengdu, you will not want to leave". This can be attributed to the enviable, relaxed lifestyle enjoyed by locals and foreigners in this recreational and unhurried tourist city. Chengdu's spicy cuisine is also very famous at home and abroad. There is a statement that "All good foods are found in Chengdu". Delicate local snacks are among the highlights of the tour package.

 Shanghai
As the most Westernized city in China after Hong Kong, Shanghai is on the cutting edge of China's race for modernization. Almost a quarter of the world's construction cranes stand in this city of 15 million. On the other hand, architectural remnants of a strong colonial past survive along the charming, winding, bustling streets that make this city undeniably and intimately Chinese. It isn't an ancient Chinese city with loads of historic temples and ruins to visit. It's a young new city more akin to Hong Kong than Beijing. 

  Hong Kong
Hong Kong, the Oriental Pearl, is simply amazing! Set among beautiful natural surroundings, it has all the benefits of a thriving and vibrant commercial center. Here students can find the delights of modern living alongside an abundance of reminders of its historic past. Whether students visit famous spots like the stunning Ocean Park, the fantastic viewpoint of Victoria Peak or the beautiful Dayushan Mountain Park, Hong Kong is certain to exceed their expectations.

◆ Schedule & Fee

The program is scheduled for Jun 24- Aug 5. The program fee is US$ 5,980, which includes:

• Orientation Package, which includes: Chinese-English-Chinese dictionary, map of Beijing, phone card of 100RMB and a mobile SIM card, etc.
• Tuition fee and textbooks for the Chinese courses at BLCU.
• Homestay in a family with teenager of similar age. The homestay includes private bedroom, breakfast & dinner, computer and DSL service. 
• Welcome dinner and other stuff prepared by the host family.
• Daily breakfast and dinner during weekdays, three meals on Sunday
• Cultural activities and weekend excursions during the 4 weeks in Beijing, including lunch, transportation and admission fees.
• All transportation (train, air plane and bus), accommodation, three meals/day and tours during the two weeks of travel to Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai and HK.
• Airport pick-up and drop-off upon arrival and departure.
• 24 hours assistance, provided by our Beijing office and staff.

Fee does not include:

• Air plane ticket from the US to Beijing and from Hong Kong back to the US.
• Insurance (It’s a must for students to buy Overseas Traveling Emergency Assistance Medical Insurance)
• Visa application fee
• Lunch on campus during the week days in Beijing
• Transportation between the campus and the host family
• Other Personal and miscellaneous charges

Please note: If the total number of applicants for the above program is less than 15 students, the program may be cancelled and interested applicants will be referred to our High School Small Class program. The difference in the program fee will be refunded.

For details on this program, please visit at Lotus High School Program.

For more information, call our US head office at 1(408)996-1929 or Beijing office at 86-10-8287 2866 or email info@lotuseducation.org