China Prep in NY: Chinese Summer Program 2009
A dynamic high school summer program for students to learn Chinese language and culture in New York City.
Dates: June 28 – July 19, 2009
Introduction
Study Mandarin and explore Chinese culture with New York City as your classroom. We are pleased to announce our China Prep in NY program (June 28 – July 19, 2009), which combines structured Mandarin language classes with an exploration of New York City’s vast China resources. Attend Chinese class in the morning and visit a modern Chinese art gallery in the afternoon. Discuss U.S.-China trade relations in culture class and visit with a prominent company owner with business interests in China. New York City is home to some of the best China resources in the world. From art museums to Buddhist temples to Chinatown wet markets to multinational companies, this is the ideal environment outside of China to explore Chinese culture while building your language skills.
The goal of China Prep in NY is to deepen participants’ understanding of China and Chinese through the lens and resources of New York City. CP in NY also excellent preparation for travel to China. If you’d like to study Mandarin and learn more about China before traveling across the Pacific, this is the program for you.
Our NY program can be combined with the Summer 2009 Two-Week Trip (August 3 – August 17) for an incredible summer of travel and immersion in Mandarin and Chinese culture from the inside out. See below for a special discount for attending both programs.
Chinese Language and Culture Class
CP in NY participants will spend several hours a day devoted to Chinese language and culture study. They will attend two structured hours of Mandarin class time in the morning taught by seasoned bilingual educators followed by an hour of Chinese cultural activities. Students will be given a placement test and assigned to either the beginner or intermediate levels. Language learning will continue in the evening through twice a week one-on-one sessions with a teacher and independent homework time to prepare for the next day’s class.
In the afternoons China Prep program staff will lead culture classes addressing topics relevant to daily field trips. The themes of these classes include history, art, business, modern society, religion and politics. For instance, students might discuss Buddhist history and thought in China and then visit a Tibetan exhibit at The Rubin Museum of Art, renowned for its Himalayan collections. All classes and field activities are designed to maximize interactivity so that participants engage with the material and topics. Participants won’t just listen to lectures; our program constantly provides opportunities for them to see and experience for themselves.
Accommodations and Meals
During the program participants will live in dorm accommodations at International House, a residence center near Columbia University housing students and interns from over 100 countries. International House was founded in 1909 when a YMCA official encountered a lonely Chinese graduate student, and since then it has been active as a residence and center for international exchange. Students will live in shared air-conditioned doubles and will eat most meals in the International House dining room. During some weekends and evenings the group will visit Chinatown restaurants in both Manhattan and Flushing to sample a variety of Chinese cuisines.
Sample day at a glance:
7:30 – 8:15 Breakfast at International House
8:30 – 10:30 Language class
10:45 – 11:30 Cultural activities
Examples of activities: tai chi, calligraphy, cooking, Chinese games, popular song study, kung fu, tea ceremonies
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch at International House
1:00 – 2:00 Free time
2:00 – 6:00 Culture class and field trips
Examples of field trips: Chelsea modern Chinese art galleries, The Ruben Museum, Museum of Chinese in the Americas, food/tea market visits, Buddhist temple, meetings with businesspeople in multinational companies, Chinese Scholar Garden
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner at International House
Weekend dinners will be held in Chinese restaurants around NYC to sample different cuisines
7:00 – 10:00 Study time/One-on-one review sessions
Students will have twice weekly 20-minute one-on-one sessions with their teachers, and the remaining time will be preparation for class. On weekends leaders will also arrange evening film screenings for movies about and/or popular in China.
Leaders and Teachers
CP in NY will be led by experienced members of the China Prep team. Our Chinese and American program leaders have diverse and rich backgrounds in all things China and New York City. All are skilled guides who are well-educated, resourceful, and devoted to creating successful cross-cultural experiences while ensuring the safety of our participants. Our team combines expertise in international and language education, travel, living and work experience in China, Chinese and China studies, as well as the many thematic areas of our trips. For more information about the China Prep team, click here. For language classes, China Prep carefully selects excellent Chinese teachers based on their experience and devotion to an interactive language-teaching approach.
Why China Prep
First and foremost, our Chinese and American staff capitalizes on our personal and professional knowledge of China to create an unforgettable experience with insights and opportunities that no other company could provide. Unlike other educational companies that do not specialize in one region or country, China Prep, by definition and design, is all about China, and our New York City base gives us unique insight into the contacts and resources that make the city one of the best places in the world to learn about China. Our China focus and our NYC expertise guarantees that we will offer the most passionate and knowledgeable experience to introduce participants to China. Our team also has the highest commitment to the safety of all participants while on our program. Our staff expertise, China focus, and personalized touch mean that participants get the most nuanced view into China today on a China Prep trip.
Eligibility and Enrollment
• Program enrollment is limited to sixteen students
• Current 9th-12th graders are eligible to apply
• Candidates must complete an application
• Applications are considered on a rolling basis
• There is an $800.00 deposit due with the application to hold a place in our program
• Once accepted into the program you will receive a participant agreement, handbook and itinerary
Dates & Program Fee:
• Dates: June 28 – July 19, 2009
• Program Fee: $4,750.00
Program fee includes:
• All hotel accommodations at International House, including internet access in rooms
• All meals
• Transportation fees during program (bus and subway)
• Educational field trip admission fees (historical sites, museums, temples, parks)
• Leader and teacher fees
Program fee does not include:
• Healthcare and health insurance
• Toiletries, laundry, or personal materials
• Phone calls, postage, overweight baggage/shipping fees
• Food/snacks outside normal provided meals
• Transportation to and from the NY hotel
Payment:
You must provide the full balance of the program fee to us upon acceptance to ensure your place in the program. China Prep in NY can also be combined with our Summer 2009 Two-Week Trip (August 3 – August 17) for the discounted price of $8,750, a savings of $750.
China Prep Contact:
For more information on China Prep, visit www.chinaprep.com. Please contact us for more information at 888-878-4814 or info@chinaprep.com. For an application form, click here.
FAQ:
How do I decide between CP in NY and a China Prep trip to China?
This depends on the type of experience you would like. We recommend China Prep in NY for students who are interested in deepening their understanding of Chinese language and culture and are excited by exploring China through New York City’s world-renowned resources. You might choose this program because you like the daily structured Mandarin classes or you are interested in the types of activities and field trips we arrange in New York. If you’re interested in a travel program and seeing China first-hand, we recommend one of our China trips. Keep in mind that the two aren’t mutually exclusive. You could follow CP in NY with the two-week China trip in the same summer, or start with CP in NY and travel on one of our China trips the following summer. Our staff is also more than happy to discuss which program is right for you.
What are rooms and meals like?
Participants share air-conditioned doubles in International House. Each room is equipped with two twin beds, a private bathroom, a small refrigerator, wireless internet, and there is daily housekeeping service. Meals are held in International House’s excellent dining room with a wide range of a la carte food choices that vary day-to-day. Each participant will receive a meal card for the program which covers the average cost of three meals a day in the dining room. If students wish to eat more, they can either pay in cash or add value to their card. On weekends the group will eat dinners in some of New York City’s excellent Chinese restaurants to sample different Chinese regional foods.
What kind of contact can parents have with their children during the program?
Because we try to create a cultural immersion environment, parents are not allowed in-person visits with participants during the course of the program. Parents can easily stay in touch with their children via email or can send care packages. To maintain the environment of the program, participants are not allowed to use cell phones during the day but will have limited permission to use them in the evenings after study time. Parents can also contact China Prep staff at any time during the program should any concerns arise.
Are there scholarships available for the program?
China Prep considers students with financial need on a case-by-case basis. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
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