We just finalized some of the details of the trip. The trip will go from June 2 to 17 with some classes at SVSU prior to that. The cost of the trip will be $4,999 which will include international airfare, housing, most meals, and most ticket costs and fees (I'm applying for a grant so hopefully this amount will drop.) There is one required class, SOC490 Development in Modern China, that is required for the trip. If you are interested in additional credits, I'd be happy to talk with you about independent study credit.
Okay, that is the nuts and bolts stuff. Here are the interesting things. This trip will be unlike other study-abroad trips because my goal is to help students become comfortable with international travel so that, whether they return to China or not, they have the skills to travel the world. To do this, we will spend about a week in Beijing working in small student groups with task-based activities rather than a tour bus. In short, we'll have breakfast together and I'll hand out the assignment for the day, which will basically be a place that you need to go with two other students and a task you must accomplish (e.g. go to the Pearl Market and bargain for something). After that, we will fly from Beijing to Chengdu (famous home of Sichuan food) where students will participate in a 3 day internship at a panda research station. After that we will fly back to Beijing, where the group will spend the night sleeping on the Great Wall before flying home.
The deadline to apply is December 15, 2012 and I am capping the trip at 11 people. In order to get a spot, you must submit a $250 deposit along with an application form to the OIP office in Wickes 250. There are scholarships available so I recommend applying and contacting Becky Griffin (rmgriffi@svsu.edu) at the OIP office ASAP to make sure you have a chance at one of those scholarships.
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