China- A Comprehensive Survey of Modern China

  China

• Beijing: 
Beijing
• Hong Kong: 
Hong Kong
• Kunming: 
Kunming
• All Other Areas in China: 
Chengdu
• Xi'an: 
Xi'an
• Rural Areas: 
Rural Areas

  Tibet

• Other Cities in Tibet: 
Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 28- August 8

Description: When you get off the plane in China, you can immediately sense the dramatic difference of this tremendous country: from the sounds of cicadas, bike bells and lively street-scenes, to the sight of tiered pagodas, to the tastes of piquant pepper corns and salty bean paste, to the smells of cooking oil, coal smoke and incense. Thousand-year old coins are swapped in antique markets, and people regularly tell you that their family has lived in a particular town for centuries. A country on the path towards reinventing itself, ancient temples now stand next to modern high rises, the countryside seems centuries away from China's global urban centers, and busy entrepreneurs on cell phones lean against walls painted with Communist slogans. Our China course takes us on a journey through these images and many, many more. We travel from mega-cities to small rural villages, sleep on the Great Wall and camp on the Tibetan Plateau, dine in simple night markets and in grand Qing Dynasty courtyard homes, and hike breathtaking mountains while also exploring areas straining under the weight of development.

In Beijing, we visit extraordinary sites of the capital's historic past and dynamic examples of this modern seat of global power. In the ancient capitol of Xian, we explore the roots of China's history, power and influence as we visit the burial site of China's first emperor, and see his famed army of Terracotta Soldiers. In China's far-west, we ascend into the stunning Tibetan Plateau, where we have the opportunity to participate in traditional festivals. In Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces, we take advantage of unique home-stay and service opportunities, exploring the daily lives of families who live in both urban centers and rural villages. And in Hong Kong we see the evolution of Chinese culture and commerce unbound by political constraint.

In seldom-visited villages we see a clear window into China's past, and are given a vital perspective on development concerns of the present. We meet with artists, musicians, authors, traditional doctors, farmers, journalists and philosophers, and are introduced to China's philosophical, social and political movements - including Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Marxism. And students are introduced to Chinese language study, with daily lessons and more advanced study for students already familiar with Chinese. Throughout our journey we examine the diversity of culture and human experience in China and learn about the issues China confronts as it continues down the path of modernization.

Highlights: Rugged Travel: 2 stars
Train and bus travel, options for village stay and/or Buddhist monastery stay, bike touring, limited camping

Trekking: 2 stars
2-day Great Wall hiking and camping; 2-3 day trek in foothills of Tibetan Plateau; options for numerous day hikes

Survey of Development Issues: 3 stars
Health, Minority Issues, Socio-Economic Issues, Land-use and Environment, Tourism, Human Rights Issues

Internships and ISPs: 4 stars
ISPs facilitated throughout program

Language Study: 4 stars
Daily, Mandarin Chinese. On occasion, rudimentary Tibetan and Cantonese, dependent upon itinerary

Philosophy and comparative Religion: 3 stars
Introduction to Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Marxism, Capitalism

Focus Of Inquiry: 5 stars
Ancient, Imperial and Modern History, Political Studies, Development of Market Economy, Gender and Race Studies, Minority Culture, Applied Buddhism

Cost in US$: 6,700

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of Max: 12

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Where There Be Dragons's Mission Statement: Through expertly guided and honest introductions to the cultural and physical landscapes of developing Asia and Latin America, and through Experiential Education that stresses the empowerment of the student, Dragons strives to cultivate cultural awareness and sensitivity, opportunities for personal growth through physical and emotional challenges, and a commitment to the communities through which we travel, providing young adults with a richer understanding of themselves, and of the social and physical worlds around them.

Year Founded: 1992