A group of 18 students and staff from the College of St Scholastica (CSS) completed a one-week study programme at UIC on 5 January.
The CSS students and staff have a tai ji quan lesson
They had been received by UIC’s International Development Office (IDO) since they arrived on 29 December 2015. The American guests had lectures at UIC to understand China’s language, culture, economy and politics, and visited Zhuhai and nearby Guangzhou for first-hand experience on China’s society.
They also took tai ji quan lessons to learn about the Chinese philosophy behind this traditional martial art. Whole Person Education lectures were provided to help them to get to know UIC.
“The trip offers students a chance to experience China, and especially Guangdong Province, through a combination of day trips, cultural activities, and classroom presentations,” said Thomas Zelman, a teacher of the CSS group.
“It is very valuable to our students. In the past, feedback has been very positive. Students enjoy the instruction, the activities, and the opportunities to interact with UIC faculty and students. I have recommended the programme to my colleagues again and again. And I am always looking for students who are curious about China and might like to study there.”
One of the students Hannah Kunde said: “The study trip enabled us to get an experience in China and know some of the cultural differences. The news at home is different from what China actually is, and that is what our teacher is trying to explain to us. We also wanted to experience it first-hand.”
She added: “I think the study trip was great. The student helpers have done a great job representing the school and helped us along.”
She told that UIC and her college, a member institution of the Minnesota Private College Council, are in pretty close contact. “The staff and students here are actually very similar to my school. I want to be a teaching assistant here if I come again.”
After the stay at UIC, the American group were accompanied by an IDO staff member and left for Shanghai for another five-day study trip.
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| Visiting Guangzhou |
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| Farewell dinner with IDO staff and UIC students |
Reporters: Tong Haiyan (IJ, Year 4), Raffie Hu (FIN, Year 3)
Photographers: Tong Haiyan, Raffie Hu, Deen He
Editor: Deen He
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC)
