Where There Be Dragons Semester Abroad in Southwest China

  China

• Kunming: 
Kunming
• Rural Areas: 
Rural Areas

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year 
Dates: Feb 9 - May 12 Sep 6 - Dec 8

Description: China. Few countries evoke the same curiosity, myriad images, and intense fascination. With 5,000 years of history and an expansive tapestry of cultures, this country generously presents our Semester adventurers with a fascinating semester experience. With a full thirteen weeks, we seize the opportunity to understand the reality of Chinas transition. With a unique approach, Dragons semester in China does more than introduce the contemporary China that is seen in the countrys burgeoning cities; our course takes us deep among this countrys various faces and across disparate urban and rural landscapes. Exploring little-seen sides of this vast land, we challenge many preconceived Western notions about this country. We venture into remote areas where China is still dramatically underdeveloped. We explore regions of extraordinary natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Inventive travel experiences are balanced with a strong language curriculum and a comprehensive, inter-disciplinary exploration of Modern Chinese history and economic development, society, and cultural tradition.

Kunming - southeast of the Tibetan Plateau, within a few days reach of Burma, Laos and Vietnam  is our home for six weeks of the program. This city of eternal spring is the capital of Chinas southwest Yunnan Province, and it is an ideal location from which we explore Han Chinese/minority relations, economic reforms and development, environmental concerns, and Chinas rich history. Through classes, lectures, discussions and mentorships we explore traditional Chinese approaches to healing, cooking, body discipline, art and music-making. In Kunming, students live independently with Chinese host families, many of whom represent the new class within contemporary society. At the Dragons Program House, we gather for Chinese language study, work on Independent Study Projects, hear lectures from visiting scholars, and cook traditional meals with fresh foods purchased at the local market.

Two travel segments bookend our Kunming experience, with options to sink deep into Central Asian culture in Chinas Northwestern Provinces, or traverse the dramatic valleys of the Hengduan Mountains in Northwestern Yunnan, or connect lost and forgotten Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries, or cross ancient stone bridges to link Southeastern villages. With a broad curriculum and an itinerary designed to explore both thriving urban centers and back-water undeveloped villages, our China semester offers an unparalleled comprehensive overview of todays China.

Highlights: Following is a sample itinerary for Dragons' China: South of the Clouds Semester Program. Our sample itineraries are based on past courses; in order to meet instructor team goals, as well as the goals and interests of particular student groups, future itineraries are subject to change.

Weeks One - Four:
Direct flight into Kunming, Yunnan Province: orientation and settle into the city; explore the lively Emerald Lake at dawn, take a taste-tour of ethnic noodle dishes; prepare for immediate departure into Chinas hinterlands.

Initial program travel will depend on weather, student interest and goals, and the experience of the program staff. Options include, but are not limited to a) exploration of Chinas north-western Xinjiang Province with look at Islam and cultural issues of Chinas ethnic minorities, and a trek through the Pamir Plateau; b) service project while living with families in rural communities representing Tibeto-Burman/Sino-Tibetan and animist cultures in rural Yunnan; c) explore Chinas Guizhou and Guangxi Provinces: hiking and biking through terraced rice fields, exploring open-air markets; and discovering the hidden gems of rarely-touristed and recently opened ethnic regions

Weeks Five - Ten:
In Kunming: students begin urban home-stay with families; group gathers at the Program House on a daily basis for classes in Mandarin Chinese and an inter-disciplinary course on Modern China, covering topics in political history, art, literature, religious and cultural traditions, and economic development; students accelerate work on their Independent Study Projects (ISPs), which may include apprenticeships with local artists, photo-essay projects, ethnographies formed by a compilation of interviews, or mentored research that contributes to any topic of the student's choosing. Weekend trip options encourage students to further explore their rich surroundings: the group may choose to hike or mountain bike into the Western Hills surrounding the city; they may travel into Tibetan communities and visit Buddhist monasteries in the foothills of the Tibetan Plateau; or they may participate in a service project aimed at supplying clean water to a remote village, or educating youth about HIV / AIDS along the Yunnan-Burmese border. We conclude our city experience with a large feast and banquet for all host-families, before heading off on a final travel adventure.

Week Ten - Thirteen:
Remote travel experience that draws upon the various instructor specializations as well as the interests, goals, and visions within the group. Options may include any of those mentioned under Weeks One through Four.

Cost in US$: Land cost: $10,150

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to China in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Scholarships are Available. - Dragons provides need-based scholarships. Any student interested in a Dragons program but unable to afford full tuition is encouraged to apply for financial assistance through our scholarship program. To receive a scholarship application, please write to the Dragons office.

Application Process Involves:

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

Where There Be Dragons's Mission Statement: Dragons programs are authentic, rugged and profound learning adventures that expose the beautiful and complex realities of the countries in which we travel. Featuring extended itineraries, Dragons programs encourage deep immersion into strikingly different physical and cultural landscapes, combining the best in experiential education, travel, service learning, and physically and intellectually challenging experiences. While programs vary in their focus - with some trekking and wilderness intensive, others strong on service and development studies, and still others language-oriented - all Dragons journeys are designed above all else to be fun, safe and honest educational experiences.

Year Founded: 1993