March 2012 FHS China Study Tour Orientation Book www.StudyCLI.org
Welcome to CLI's March 2012 FHS China Study Tour!
As a
supplemental guide to your journey through China, the CLI team has compiled this comprehensive orientation book for your living and traveling needs. It remains our top goal to provide a safe and highly educational learning experience for the duration of your stay in China. Please do not hesitate to call one of our team members at any time day or night if you have questions, concerns or translation needs. We look forward to guiding you along your path to discovery!
General Information Money China is home to many banking networks, including the Industrial Bank of China (ICBC), the China Construction Bank, and the Bank of China. ATMs at any of these banks accept major international cards and are safe to use. Many ATMs offer 24hour service, so you needn't worry if you find yourself without cash on hand after the sun has set. Throughout our China travels, we’ll lead the group to an ATM at least once every four days. If you need to exchange currency or travelers' checks for RMB, arrange for a CLI group leader to bring you to a major Chinese bank. Be sure to bring your foreign currency and passport in order to complete this transaction. There should be no service charge.
Postal Services CLI's staff does not recommend sending any expensive or valuable items back home through the Chinese postal service, as it can sometimes be unreliable and is generally expensive. That being said, service has significantly improved over the past several years. If you'd like to send a postcard, a CLI team member will be happy to assist you.
General Information (cont.) Safety & Security China is generally a safe country in which to study and sightsee. Nevertheless, any time you are traveling, you should always take necessary precautions to ensure your own personal safety. CLI will always maintain group safety as its number one priority. *If you experience any kind of safety emergency, please call Robbie immediately anytime day or night at 137-8858-7005.* Recommended Safety Tips: — Keep all of your belongings in sight and be mindful of them. Hold small personal bags close to your body, and keep them closed if possible. Pick pocketing is not a major problem in China, but it is arguably more common here than in most developed Western countries. —
In China, violent street crime and predatory behavior are rare occurrences – but it is still very important that you always take all necessary precautions to remain as safe as possible. Try your best to maintain awareness of your surroundings at all times. Never, under any circumstances, separate from the group without first seeking permission from a group leader. If a stranger makes you feel uncomfortable or in any way threatens you, immediately find and notify one of the group leaders.
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FHS and CLI maintain a zero tolerance alcohol policy. Under no circumstances will it be permitted for FHS study tour participants to consume alcohol. Please respect this regulation and remain responsible throughout your travels in China.
Safety & Security Recommended Safety Tips (cont.): — Crossing the road safely in China presents a challenge of its own. Here, it's particularly important to remember the golden rule for any pedestrian: look both ways before you step into the street. Cars often do not obey traffic signals in China. Motorcycles, electric scooters, bicycles and other pedestrians create additional safety hazards. Especially in smaller cities, traffic patterns are probably nothing like what you’re used to back home, so keep your eyes and ears open for oncoming vehicles. Proceed with caution, as there is a definite possibility that some drivers may make dangerous and reckless maneuvers when navigating the city streets.
Medical Services If you find yourself in need of medical attention, please notify a member of CLI's on-site team as soon as possible. CLI emergency assistance is available around the clock, so don't hesitate to call at any time if you need to see a medical doctor. Should you catch a minor illness such as a seasonal cold or upset stomach, CLI' staff is available to assist you in purchasing over-the-counter medicine at a local pharmacy. Let a CLI employee know that you're in need of medication, and we will be more than happy to help you find exactly what you need. CLI’s staff is available 24/7 and is very willing to help in any way possible. Never hesitate to approach us if a health concern arises – it’s always better safe than sorry. *China’s 24-hour emergency number is 119, but if you contract an illness or sustain an injury, please call Robbie immediately at 137-8858-7005.*
“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard
Special Considerations Curiosity toward foreigners: Foreigners are a somewhat common site in major cities, but for many people in smaller cities, and especially in the countryside, you may be the first foreigner they have ever interacted with. Expect occasional staring and calls of “Hello!” The stares and greetings from strangers are innocent and not done in malice; people are truly curious, and once they discover you speak Chinese, you will have a new best friend. The Great Firewall: In an effort to “harmonize” the Internet and prevent antigovernment activity, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) blocks access to numerous Web sites. Facebook, YouTube, Blogspot, Twitter, and other social networking/blogging sites are among those that you cannot access without a VPN. Additionally, major social and political advocacy sites, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, are blocked. Many foreigners and locals use a VPN to get around the firewall. Some, such as www.torproject.org, can be downloaded for free, but these are not as reliable as paid networks. Witopia (www.witopia.net) offers an excellent VPN for US$60, securing your privacy and providing you with (relatively) uninterrupted Internet access.
Special Considerations (cont.) Misinformation: It's somewhat common in China for people to unintentionally mislead you rather than say they don’t know the answer to your question. Therefore, just because someone tells you a specific product is not in stock or a food item does not have particular ingredients does not mean this is necessarily so. It’s always a good idea to either be persistent or trust your instinct and ask for a second opinion. Daily rest time: There is a daily rest time from noon to 2:30pm that many Chinese people adhere to. Universities and most government offices close within this window, and it is therefore sometimes difficult to accomplish tasks requiring cooperation with locals during this time. Haggling/special foreigner prices: Since parts of China heavily cater to tourism and have countless visitors each year, vendors and cab drivers sometimes try to take advantage of foreigners by overcharging them for items and services. However, once they hear that you speak even the most basic Chinese, they will be much more willing to negotiate with you and will accordingly lower their prices. Almost all goods and services can be bargained for. In most bustling markets, expect to pay 25% to 30% less than the asking price for the majority of items, and in more touristy areas, the price could drop well over half. Firecrackers and fireworks: Days are frequently punctuated by the sparkle, boom, pop, and thump of firecrackers and fireworks. Major events such as holidays, weddings, and business openings are almost always marked by the ritual of lighting firecrackers. The loud sound is used to ward off evil spirits and thus bless important events with a fresh start.
Utilizing China’s Language Environment In order to make the most of your time studying with CLI, it’s important to constantly be pro-active and to consistently seek new opportunities to advance your Chinese. Self study, chatting with street vendors, asking your tour guides questions about learning Chinese – there are countless ways to improve and validate your Mandarin language skills. Below are a few suggestions on how to best utilize CLI’s language environment: — Make
sure you know all 58 pinyin sounds: Do not undervalue the importance of pinyin (拼 音). Once you can make all of the sounds, you can essentially say any word in Chinese. Concentrate on hearing and saying the slight variations between sounds. Tones are very important, but clear pronunciation of the pinyin sounds is still the most essential building block of spoken Mandarin.
— Speak
(and think in) Chinese, regardless of your Chinese level: Whether you are an absolute beginner or the world’s greatest Mandarin linguist, you can always advance your skills by practicing the language at every turn. Take the initiative to speak with those around you every day. Chat with the local shopowners. Ask the police questions. Talk to waiters and waitresses du ring meals. These people are your teachers too. You will be amazed at the hospitality China has to offer.
— Keep
your group leaders informed: All of the group leaders at CLI are here because we love Chinese, love sharing the language, and love that you are interested in learning Chinese. Let us know if you don’t understand something or have a specific question about the language. Be an active learner. Don’t forget that a student’s dedication and persistence is the ultimate factor that leads to success when learning a second language.
— Attitude
is everything: Maintain a relentless attitude in your approach to mastering the Chinese language. If you feel you’re hitting a plateau, push even harder. Many non-native speakers have reached a high level of proficiency in the Chinese language, and with the right combination of language environment, determination and attitude, you can too.
— Make
the most of China: A warm hospitality abounds in China. Have the courage to ask local residents questions, to start a conversation with a shop attendant during our daily activities, and to chat with your tour guides in Mandarin whenever possible. When it comes to spoken Chinese, there is no better way to improve than to simply speak.
— Engage
with the CLI community: CLI puts a great deal of emphasis on creating a community conducive to Chinese language learning. We maintain a highly dedicated team of international educators, so do your best to actively embrace the community we’ve built. Our tour guides, language instructors, local directors and network of friends are all here to guide you on your path to proficiency – be sure to engage!
“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” – Dr. Seuss
FHS March 2012 China Study Tour Beijing 北京 | Xi’an 西安 | Shanghai 上海 Hello international scholars! Below you will find our tentative schedule of activities and events for our travels through Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. As the purpose of this schedule is to offer a general idea of the places we will be visiting, some dates and times are subject to change.
D AY 1 | S UNDAY , M ARCH 18 (A RRIVE IN B EIJING ) Afternoon Evening
Arrive in Beijing at 3:30pm and Bus to Heyuan Welcome Dinner at Peking Duck Restaurant
D AY 2 | M ONDAY , M ARCH 19 (B EIJING ) 8:00am Morning Afternoon
Evening
Program Orientation at Heyuan Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City Tour of Beijing’s Ancient Hutong District – Lunch at Local Family’s Home – Ascend the Beijing Drum Tower Dinner at Xinjiang Specialty Restaurant
D AY 3 | T UESDAY , M ARCH 20 (B EIJING ) Visit Peking University’s Branch High School – Tour campus and engage in cross-cultural exchange activities Morning/Afternoon The Great Wall of China (at Mutianyu, 慕田峪) Evening Dinner and Shopping in Wangjujing 8:00am
D AY 4 | W EDNESDAY , M ARCH 21 (B EIJING TO X I ’ AN ) 9:00am Early Afternoon Late Afternoon Evening
Explore the Temple of Heaven Visit the Site of the 2008 Beijing Olympics Fly to Xi’an (5:55pm to 8:00pm, dinner and snacks on plane) Check into the Lotus Hotel, Xi’an Orientation
D AY 5 | T HURSDAY , M ARCH 22 (X I ’ AN ) 9:00am Afternoon Evening
The Terracotta Army – Visit 2000-year-old burial site of China’s first emperor Ascend the Famed Giant Goose Pagoda Dinner in Downtown Xi’an
D AY 6 | F RIDAY , M ARCH 23 (X I ’ AN ) 8:30am Afternoon Evening
Bicycle Ride atop the Ancient City Walls of Xi’an – Visit the Bell Tower and the Great Mosque Chinese language and Cultural Activities – Calligraphy lessons and a FHS ping pong tournament! Dinner in the Muslim Quarter
D AY 7 | S ATURDAY , M ARCH 24 (X I ’ AN TO S HANGHAI ) 5:40am Noon Afternoon Evening
Fly to Shanghai (8:00am to 9:55am) – Check into the Jinjiang Inn near the Bund Lunch near Hotel and Shanghai Orientation City Tour of Shanghai: China’s Economic Capital – Ascend the SWFC (China’s tallest skyscraper) Dinner on the Bund and Guided Tour
D AY 8 | S UNDAY , M ARCH 25 (S HANGHAI ) 11:00am Afternoon Evening
Visit Yu Garden and Old Town Shanghai – Tea sampling at traditional teahouse Shanghai Points of Interest Tour: Past, Present and Future – Jade Buddha Temple, Silk Factory and Planning Museum Shanghai’s Famous Acrobat Show
D AY 9 | M ONDAY , M ARCH 26 (S HANGHAI ) 8:30am Afternoon Evening
Company Visit to International Firm Travel Excursion to the Zhouzhuang Water Village Farewell Dinner!
D AY 10 | T UESDAY , M ARCH 27 (S HANGHAI TO W ASHINGTON D ULLES ) 8:00am
Fly to the USA (Depart Pudong Airport at 12:10pm)
Welcome to FHS’s March 2012 China Study Tour!
24-Hour Assistance Throughout the duration of your stay with CLI, please do not hesitate to call one of our faculty leaders at any time day or night if you have questions, concerns or translation issues.
Robbie Fried (罗中立) Dr. Yan Xue (薛老师) TJ Johnson (詹森先生)
137-8858-7005 182-9004-6822 182-9004-7090
W: www.StudyCLI.org | E: info@studycli.org | USA: (888) 781.8383 | PRC: (+86) 137.8858.7005