China Study Abroad

Winter Program TCBUU Visitor from China January 14-February 16, 2012. An innovative program that enables student interaction, skill building and perspectives on a global world through individual research projects. Focus on history and culture of China. Under-graduate research and experiential learning are the main focus of the summer program.

Focus on history and culture of China, education, art and digital design, dance and music (and one other discipline to be determined.)

More About the Program

Explore China's most densely populated province that is the center of the Middle Kingdom from the Shang Dynasty. Explore the long term Imperial Capital Xi'an and the Terra Cotta Soldiers of the First Emperor, China's political center Beijing,  the Forbidden City, and Great Wall.

Learn about the Academic Certificate of Global Citizenship.

This is an exchange program that takes MCC students to China and brings students from China to America. The program has a much broader context than just an exchange taking students to China. It is a program that has mutual benefits with our partners in China and has been and is a dynamically evolving program. It involves a number of diverse elements that help people in China and the United States better understand each other. http://www.maricopa.edu/academic/ccta/curric/prog.php?loc=621220094

China In Contrasts

The New York Times introduction to their four-part series titled "China Rises" states that China is "the scene of the most extraordinary economic, social and political transformation of our time.  But it is also a nation struggling with an enormous population, a strained environment, an unequal distribution of wealth and opportunity."

The largest human migration of all human history has taken place over the past few decades. It is a place where Walmart becomes almost like a nation, representing China's seventh leading trading partner. It is where opportunity for wealth exists and where capitalism and communism have been shaped by a unique Chinese character.

As the New York Times points out, however, China struggles as it defines itself as a leading power for this century. This program is designed to help you understand the dynamics taking place in China.  This is an opportunity to not only visit China and see some of the most well-known sites in the world, but also to explore the directions that China will take over the next decade or so.

What You Will Gain

• Greater global awareness
• Experience with research
• Knowledge of Chinese culture
• Global Citizenship Certificate (based on qualifications)
• Insights in economic and social changes taking place in China
• Reflection on your own values in contrast to those of another culture
• Ability to build your resume
• Understanding of ethical responsibilities in a global world
• Friendships
• Memories

What You Can Expect

Prior to going to China you will review four documentaries on China: the PBS Series China from the Inside; an Ambrica Production China: A Century of Revolution, the New York Times' China Rises, and the PBS Frontline Series Young &Restless in China.

You also will explore readings from the Internet on Chinese culture and history (Columbia University and materials prepared by Richard Effland, Anthropology at MCC). You will also prior to their visit explore a packet of readings designed to help shape a view of how to accept social responsibility in a foreign culture and complete a Human Subjects Research orientation. You will also be responsible for the following:

"It is imperative that our students are capable both of integrating a broad range of disciplines and understanding a broad range of cultures in a rapidly changing world." - Michael Crow, President of ASU (2006)

Visit two of the most dynamic and important places in the world. Interact with college students and investigate Chinese culture from an Anthropological and Economic perspective. Travel will include two weeks in Beijing visiting the Great Wall, Forbidden City and other historical and cultural places and two weeks in Henan Province near Zhengzhou. Confront a different culture and learn about your own. Learn experientially about the economic revolution taking place in China today.

You will be enrolled in courses for the first summer session. There will be learning materials provided during the spring semester, which will introduce Chinese history and culture as well as economic changes that have taken place since 1978 when China opened to the outside world. You will be responsible for individualized study in China as part of an independent research program you will define. This makes this program a true study abroad experience where you will be asking the questions that matter to you.

• You interact with Chinese students at two universities.
• You don't need to know Chinese - the students will know English!
• Explore the critical importance of China today and earn 4 college credits that will make you better prepared for the Global World.
• (Read Dr. Effland's reflection on 10 years of experience in China).
• Why participate in Study Abroad? 
• Build your resume and credentials.
• Earn your Global Citizenship Certificate GLO298AA.
• Statement on Ethical Conduct as a Participant
• Do Service for the Community and Pay for your Study Abroad Experience
• Explore AmeriCorps and the A New Leaf
• www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/youngchina/
• www.ambrica.com/chinatrilogy.html
• www.pbs.org/kqed/chinainside/
• www.nytimes.com/specials/chinarises/intro/
• You will complete a self-evaluation of their goals and expectations pertaining to the study abroad experience.
• You will assess their knowledge of China and identify a list of tasks to enhance their knowledge of China.
• You will explore and analyze ethics of involvement and identify their responsibilities to others prior to going to China.
• You will be exposed to the concept of culture shock, learn about the different forms it can take and ways to minimize associated effects during the immersion experience and upon re-entry to the U.S prior to departure.
• You will develop a one-page prospectus of what you intend to learn from the trip.  This will define your research objectives.
• You will conduct under-graduate research while in China. The three areas we will visit are markedly different - Henan is the most populated province in China; Beijing is the political center of China.
• You will interact with Chinese students at different universities with a focus on a set of questions designed to explore the attitudes and values these youth have for China and its future.
• You will experience another culture and confront your own.  You will build your resume and skills while providing service.
• MCC's China Learning Module
• Movie about the Exchange
• Encounter with an old man
• Perspectives on the experience
• Views from 2005
• Life changing experience