China Study Abroad’s Summer Study and Travel Program in China offers program participants the opportunity to receive intensive Chinese language intsruction within an immersed cultural environment. Living for several weeks (depending on your choice of program) in the vibrant cities of Beijing, Shanghai , Xi`an, or Guilin and Yangshuo, students use their Chinese to communicate in daily life activities and on the journey, improving both their fluency and pronunciation. Through rigorous small-group daily language lessons, it is expected that students will acquire the equivalent of a full academic year of Chinese. In the process, students gain a greater awareness and understanding of cultural differences and diversity.

................................................................................................................................................................

All Programs Include:

• Course tuition
• Accommodation: CSA Luxury Apartment or Chinese standard 3 or 4 stars Hotel (Beijing, Shanghai and Yangshuo 3 stars hotel; Xi`an and Guilin 4 stars hotel).
• Sightseeing and Activities Fee: All sightseeing trip and activities arranged by CSA are free for the program participants.
• Transportation: Airport pick-up, sightseeing trips, activities onsite visit, train/bus/flight transportation between cities, transportation to nearby city of departure.
• Insurance: The StudentCare Plus insurance policy is provided for all program participants. The policy includes emergency medical and travel coverage, plus 24 hour assistance.
• Weclome Pack: includes mobile phone with local SIM card and pre-paid long distance calling card, dictionary, CSA polo shirt, Chinese DVDs, Beijing/Shanghai guide book and more.
• 24 Hour Assistance: should any problems arise at any time during the program, CSA staff members will be available on 24 hour call.

................................................................................................................................................................

Mandarin Chinese Language - Study

Students in the Beijing Study and Travel Program have the choice of studying at the Beijing Language and Cultures University or the Beijing Mandarin Academy. They will undergo an accelerated mandarin learning program, with four hours of instruction, five days a week. Those in the intensive program will receive an additional two hours of daily one-on-one instruction. This rigorous language training is intended as an equivalent of one semester of academic mandarin study.

Students are placed in classes according to their proficiency in Chinese, which is determined through methods which may include a diagnostic exam administered prior to arrival, a review of each student’s previous study of Chinese and letters of recommendation from the students’ previous instructors. Daily homework, written and oral examinations, and classroom attendance are required of all students.

Each weekend, students embark on fully guided tours of Beijing’s celebrated cultural sites including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Lama Temple, the Temple of Heaven, the Confucius Temple, the Hutongs, and Tiananmen Square. This program also includes many of China Study Abroad’s acclaimed activities such as Karaoke Night and a night at the Beijing Opera followed by roasted duck.

Sightseeing on the Program - Travel

After the study session has been completed, students will begin the travel portion of their program. Students will be taken on a guided tour by a well-traveled China Study Abroad representative with intimate knowledge of each destination. The trip is split into three major destinations and their surrounding areas: Xi’an, Shanghai and Guilin.

Day 1 – 3: Xi’an

Home to the famous terracotta warriors unearthed only 30 years ago, Xi'an is undoubtedly the historical center of China. Over the millennia, Xi'an has been host to more than a dozen Chinese dynasties. It was also the terminus for the ancient Silk Road and was visited by merchants from all over the world.

Today, the rich and deep-rooted historical and cultural heritage of Xi'an is visible through a wealth of cultural relics, museums, and historical sites, including the world-famous terracotta army of China’s first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. The highlights of this section include the Bell and Drum Tower, the Stone Forest, the Neolithic Banpo Village, a visit to the Huaqing Hot Springs, and of course Qin Shi Huang’s great mausoleum and the terracotta warriors.

Day 4 – 9: Shanghai and Outlying Areas

Shanghai is the largest city in all of China. It’s the financial heart of China’s massive economic growth, and also the site of its modern cultural and political renaissance. This is new China. Strategically located where the Yangtze River Delta meets the Pacific, Shanghai is one of the world’s most modern cities and pulses with a vibrancy of a people on the cusp of world greatness. The highlights of the Shanghai tour include the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Hu Pu river cruise, Shanghai acrobatic show, the Bund, the French Concession, and the Yuyuan Garden.

From Shanghai, students will be taken on daytrips to Hangzhou, which Marco Polo was claimed to be the “most beautiful city in the world,” and to the water townships of Zhouzhuang and Tongli, the “Venice of China.” Canals run throughout both of these villages, and their inhabitants traverse from place to place in small boats and gondolas. Here students will witness well-preserved ancient residential houses, boat rides through the canals and under bridges, and observe local customs as merchants sell their wares from their gondolas.

Day 10 – 15: Guilin to Shenzhen and Hong Kong

The Chinese government thinks so highly of Guilin’s natural wonder and beauty that they have placed its iconic image on the back of the 50 yuan bill. Before this, its cloud-covered peaks have adorned water colorings and inspired Chinese poets for centuries. In fact, the Seven Star Park, thus named because it resembles the Big Dipper, has been a tourist attraction since 517 AD. After touring Guilin’s famed peaks, caves and cruising along the Li River, prepare for bike rides and hiking through the nearby Yangshou countryside.

After seeing the beauty of China’s countryside, the students will fly to Shenzhen. After a city tour, program participants will take the subway into Hong Kong, from which they will have the option to fly home or explore Hong Kong on their own. Program participants have the option of requesting a China Study Abroad guide through Hong Kong at an additional expense.

*All hotels stays, entrance tickets, and transportation from Beijing to Hong Kong on the tour are included in the cost of the program.

Beijing Study and Travel Program #1 (6 Weeks)

Dates: June 26, 2008 – August 6, 2008 (Beijing Language and Culture University or Beijing Mandarin Academy)
Description: 4 weeks of study in Beijing, 2 weeks travel to Xi`an, Shanghai, Zhouzhang, Hangzhou, Guilin, Yangshou, Shenzhen and Yangshuo
Program Starting City: Beijing
Program Ending City: Hong Kong (we can help you arrange travel to your city of departure)
Accommodation: China Study Abroad Luxury Apartment or 3 Star Hotel (please see China Study Abroad Hotel)
Program Fee: $4,995 (double room); $5,995 (single room)
Program Code: SST6wB1

Arrangements can be made for students looking to spend additional time studying in Beijing for longer than the allotted 4 weeks. Also, those only looking to take part on the travel portion are welcome as well. Please email info@chinastudyabroad.org for details and prices.

Detailed Itinerary:

June 26: Begin 4 weeks of Mandarin Instruction in Beijing
July 24: Train from Beijing to Xi`an
July 25: Visit the Bell and Drum Tower, Old City Wall, and Stone Forest
July 26: Visit the Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum and the Terra Cotta Warriors; Huaqing Hot  Spring; Neolithic Banpo Village
July 27: Flight from Xi’an to Shanghai
July 28: Visit Shanghai Urban Planning Hall, Nanjing Rd, the Bund, the HuPu River Cruise, the Pearl Tower, and the Lujiazui Economic Zone
July 29: Visit Yuyuan Garden, the French Concession Area, the Shanghai Acrobatic Show, and Social Night
July 30: Day trip to the Canals and Water Townships of Zhouzhuang and Tongli
July 31: Day trip to Hangzhou
August 1: Free time in Shanghai, Afternoon Flight to Guilin
August 2: Morning Li River Cruise, biking through Yangshou in the afternoon
August 3: Hiking and other outdoor activities such as swimming in the countryside
August 4: Visiting the famous and protected Minority Area
August 5: Fly to Shenzhen, city tour of Shenzhen
August 6: Take subway into Hong Kong

                                                                                                                                         
................................................................................................................................................................

Beijing Study and Travel #2 + Olympics (6 Weeks)

Students on the Beijing Study and Travel Program #2 also have the added benefit of being in Beijing during the 2008 Summer Olympics. Because of the exorbitant housing costs during the month of August, students will be charged an additional $33.00 a day on top of the normal program fee. The luxury apartments allotted to students are located in the Haidian District, a mere 30 minute walk or 5 minute drive from the newly built Olympic stadium.

These costs are meant to offset the inflated housing market that will occur during the games. We assure you that this is a very reasonable price for accommodations so close to the stadium. Local 2 and 3 star hotels are charging over $350.00 a night during the entire month of August. China Study Abroad will also be glad to help you arrange any ticket purchases and transportation during the Olympic Games. Because of the high demand for housing during the Olympics, spots are limited in this program so please reserve your spot as soon as possible.

Dates: July 24, 2008 – August 29, 2008 (Beijing Language and Culture University or Beijing Mandarin Academy)
Description: 4 weeks of study in Beijing, 2 weeks travel to Xi`an, Shanghai, Zhouzhang, Hangzhou, Guilin, Yangshou, Shenzhen and Yangshuo
Program Starting City: Beijing
Program Ending City: Beijing (we can help you arrange travel to your city of departure)
Accommodation: China Study Abroad Luxury Apartment
Program Fee: $4,995 + $1,000* (double room); $5,995 + 1,000* (single room)
Program Code: SST6wB2

*Olympic Housing Costs

Detailed Itinerary:

July 24: Train from Beijing to Xi`an;
July 25: Visit the Bell and Drum Tower, Old City Wall, and Stone Forest
July 26: Visit the Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum and the Terra Cotta Warriors; Huaqing Hot  Spring; Neolithic Banpo Village
July 27: Flight from Xi’an to Shanghai
July 28: Visit Shanghai Urban Planning Hall, Nanjing Rd, the Bund, the HuPu River Cruise, the Pearl Tower, and the Lujiazui Economic Zone
July 29: Visit Yuyuan Garden, the French Concession Area, the Shanghai Acrobatic Show, and Social Night
July 30: Day trip to the Canals and Water Townships of Zhouzhuang and Tongli
July 31: Day trip to Hangzhou
August 1: Free time in Shanghai, Afternoon Flight to Guilin
August 2: Morning Li River Cruise, biking through Yangshou in the afternoon
August 3: Hiking and other outdoor activities such as swimming in the countryside
August 4: Visiting the famous and protected Minority Area
August 5: Fly to Beijing to begin Study and Olympics portion of program

                                                                                                                                       
................................................................................................................................................................