$2885

Beijing SummerStudy +Travel Program

About Minds AbroadMinds Abroad is a U.S.-based organization thatconducts study abroad programs on both sides of thePacific: we bring both Asian students to the UnitedStates and Western students to Asia. Because of theway our programs engage students with localcommunities, Minds Abroad was recently named a“Top Ten Best Practices Program” by the Center forCitizen Diplomacy in conjunction with the U.S. StateDepartment.

More than simply a study abroad experience or teentour, our programs take students on a deep journey ofdiscovery of local cultures. While focusing onunderstanding a different culture on a local level wehelp students to understand global issues andbecome full global citizens.

Program IntroductionThis program aims to give students an authentic insightinto modern day China by living in Beijing where theywill explore many sites of historic and cultural interest.In Beijing, students will undertake morning Chineseclasses and afternoon volunteer service learningactivities. In the evening, they will undertake culturalactivities like Tai Chi and visit local sites of historic andcultural significance. Additionally, students will hike upthe legendary Great Wall, wander through theForbidden City, China's former imperial palace, andexplore Tiananmen Square, the world's fourth largestsquare, the Summer Palace, a conglomeration ofbeautiful lakes, palaces and gardens, and 798, a modernart district that seems to be more at home in Soho thanin the ancient capital of China.

In the middle of their program, students will visit InnerMongolia and experience its old world charm throughexploration of its ancient temples and colorfulMongolian culture. They will also enjoy the pure andpristine beauty of the grasslands.

ProgramComponents

Morning Mandarin Classes

In Beijing, Minds Abroad will offer Mandarin classes tostudents every weekday morning for 1.5 hours. To ensuremaximum student-teacher interaction, we limit class sizeto only 2-4 students, which allows for group interaction aswell as for students to get the kind of one-on-one attentionthey need to develop language skills easily. All our classesare taught by teachers with several years of experienceteaching Chinese to international students.

Afternoon Volunteer Service Learning atLocal Non-Profit Organizations

In Beijing, during afternoons, students will teachEnglish in non-profit organizations that aredevoted to helping children from a variety ofdisadvantaged backgrounds including homelesschildren, the children of the migrant workers, andchildren from economically challenged ethnicminority groups. By teaching basic English tothese disadvantaged children, participants willindirectly give them the skills that they need toescape poverty.

Evening Cultural Activities

During the trip, students can choose to participate ina variety of cultural activities to get an in-depthunderstanding of the ways of life of local people.Some of these activities include participating in TaiChi workshops and visiting sites of historic andcultural interest.

Program price项目价格

Weekend Excursions to Sites of Historic andCultural Significance

While in Beijing, on the weekend, students will explore itsmajor cultural and historic sites, including the iconic GreatWall, which is a string of fortifications across China’slegendary border to keep enemies at bay and the ForbiddenCity, which once was the home to the emperors and theirroyal households. Students will also take a walking tour ofthe Tiananmen Square, a site of several influential eventsthat changed the course of Chinese history and the Templeof Heaven that was once frequented by Chinese emperors,who used to pray for good annual harvest to the heavenlyGods and Goddesses at its ceremonial alter. Students willvisit Inner Mongolia, famous for the legendary hospitalityof its people, its untainted scenic beauty and a rich tapestryof ethnic minority cultures.

ProgramProgram priceprice项项项项项项项项项项项目目目价价价价价价价价价价价价价格格格格格格格格格格格格格Items Included in the Program PriceThe program price includes:- Minds Abroad staff to accompany thegroup at all times- Transportation to sites listed in theprogram- Entrance tickets to all sites listed in theprogram- Accommodations- All breakfasts, lunches during the daysof the program, welcome and farewelldinner- A cell phone, SIM card, and a small initialcredit for in-country calling- Detailed in-country orientation withinthe first few days of arrival- 24/7 staff support throughout theprogram

Our program fee DOES NOT include visafees, airfare (international and domestic),travel insurance and other things whichwere not mentioned will be your ownextra expenses.

Program price is $2885

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday SundayDay 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4

Beijing Beijing Beijing Beijing

Arrive at Beijing

and adjust to the

jet lag.

AM: Tour the

neighborhood.

PM: Independent

dinner. Visit the

Temple of

Heaven.

AM: Tour the

Tiananmen

Square and

Forbidden City.

PM: Independent

Dinner. Visit

Summer Palace.

AM: Visit the

Mutianyu section

of the Great Wall

PM: Explore the

area around the

Great Wall and

drive back to

Beijing

Evening:

Independent

dinner. Explore

the 798 Art Zone.

Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11

Beijing Beijing Beijing Beijing Inner Mongolia Inner Mongolia Inner Mongolia

AM: Attend

Chinese class.

PM:Volunteer

Service learning

Evening: Enjoy a

welcome KTV

session.

AM: Attend

Chinese class.

PM:Volunteer

Service learning

Evening:

Participate in a

Tai Chi Workshop

in a nearby park.

AM: Attend

Chinese class.

PM:Volunteer

Service learning

Evening: Explore

the Houhai Park.

AM: Attend

Chinese class.

PM:Volunteer

Service learning

Evening: Take a

train to Hohhot

AM: Arrive at

Hohhot and visit

a Mongolian style

garden.

PM: Explore a

Mongolian

Temple, Dazhao

Temple and

Xilituzhao,

General

Government

Office.

Evening: Explore

the Muslim

district.

AM: Explore the

Xilamuren

grasslands and

participate in

archery.

PM: Free time

Evening:

Participate in a

Mongolian dance

show and stay in

yurts.

AM: Enjoy

sunrise on the

grasslands and

visit the Inner

Mongolia

Museum

PM: Fly back to

Beijing.

Evening: Take

rest.

Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17

Beijing Beijing Beijing Beijing Beijing Beijing/Home

AM: Attend

Chinese class.

PM:Volunteer

Service Learning

Evening: Free

time.

AM: Attend

Chinese class.

PM: Volunteer

Service Learning

Evening:

Participate in a

Tai Chi in a

nearby park.

AM: Attend

Chinese class.

PM: Volunteer

Service Learning

Evening: Free

time

AM: Attend

Chinese class.

PM: Volunteer

Service Learning

Evening: Either

prepare to return

home or travel to

Shanghai.

AM: Attend

Chinese class.

PM:Volunteer

Service Learning

Evening: Get

ready to go back

home.

Fly home.

Program Calendar

BeijingBeijing is the seat of China's political power and a modern city punctuated withcolossal flyovers and multilane boulevards. Beneath its din and bustle andconcrete façade lie numerous pockets of historical charm. In fact, Beijing is notonly China's capital city, but is also home to its greatest collection of historicalsites. This city is an ideal location for anyone looking to get a glimpse of thecountry's history and culture. Beijing's uniqueness has its origin in thejuxtaposition of the old city against its modern bustling counterpart.

Hohhot (pinyin: Hūhéhàotè)Hohhot literally translates to “Blue City” in Mongolian. Blue is a color which is usuallyassociated with eternity, purity and sky in the Mongolian culture. The city has a longhistory spanning over 2300 years. The ancient city was built during the period of WarringStates (476 BC -221 BC). Later in 1954, the city became the capital of Inner Mongoliaafter years of reconstruction and reigns by different dynasties.

Hohhot is famous for its rich tapestry of ethnic minority cultures. Old Town is famous forits riveting display of ancient architecture, as is evident from the heavily decoratedexterior of most buildings. The decorations have their roots both in the Islamic andMongolian cultures.

Another historic attraction of Hohhot is the Temple of the Five Pagodas, which wasconstructed in 1732 and is renowned for its unique architecture. It is the only Chinesetemple that is made in the image of Indian temples.

Xilamuren GrasslandsXilamuren Grasslands is a natural scenic spot, which is about 90 kms away fromHohhot. Xilamuren is famous for its pleasant climate and lush green rolling hillsagainst a breathtaking backdrop blue sky punctuated with fluffy, white clouds. InMongolian, the word Xilamuren stands for ‘yellow river’. It sprawls across 1000 squarekilometers and has an altitude of 1,700 meters.

The best time for visiting Xilamuren is during summer and autumn. The grasslandsare famous for their unique leisure activities, mostly organized by the traditionalMongolian people living there. Some of these include horse and camel riding,Mongolian wrestling and rodeo competitions. Students will also visit local families andexperience first-hand their warmth and hospitality.

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