With a population of over one billion people, the nation of China represents one of the oldest civilizations on earth. Modern China is a country that is looking to the future—it has the world’s fastest growing economy—while striving to maintain contact with its rich, diverse history, and preserve its fascinating culture, which is credited with many astounding artistic and scientific achievements.

Bridge China 2008 gives students the opportunity to experience first hand this intriguing land of mystery and history. Our group will travel to three contrasting areas of the country: the South, including Hong Kong and Guiyang, the North, including Xian and the tiny rural village of Pengliu, and finally, the Imperial city of Beijing, host of the 2008 Summer Olympics and home to over 14 million people. Bridge China participants will:

• Learn the basics of Chinese culture and language through formal daily instruction

• Teach conversational English to Chinese children

• Learn Chinese martial arts, cooking and calligraphy

• Discover the vast differences between urban and rural Chinese society

• Explore some of China’s dominant social, political, and economic issues

• Understand the challenges and issues that children of migrant workers face.