Double Dragon Alliance Cultural Centre, in partnership with Yong He Tang Art, Culture and Advisory Centre has put together a programme for a group school exchange with colleagues in the USA and Holland.
The programme is designed for a group of up to 20 students ranging from ages 14 – 19, although larger group numbers or other ages can also be catered for.
The trip would be around 9 – 10 days in duration and preferably planned in the summer break, although other dates and countries can be considered, (eg. Spring term break or to Europe, etc.)
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New England?Harbour and city of Portsmouth
The trip would centre around the concepts of English language learning in a natural setting, with emphasis on gaining cultural awareness; learning about the local environment; promoting self confidence and team spirit; health and fitness; having consciousness of other cultures and their historical background and sightseeing around some of the areas’ most noted monuments and landmarks.
The aim is to introduce students to a genuine slice of the local culture, with the opportunity to have meaningful communication with native people, by being placed in reliable home-stay surroundings, plus with visits to schools and learning facilities, where students can communicate with local teachers, educators and students.
The tour will visit the city of New York as well as the city of Boston, both rich in culture and history, in addition to spending time in the beautiful areas of New England and New Hampshire, which are at their best in the summer season, with mild weather and fabulous natural scenery.
HOME-STAY ACCOMMODATION:
The programme will include home-stay accommodation for all participating students, to give them an opportunity to experience firsthand the living style and different culture of American families, as well as excellent opportunities to further improve and refine their English speaking and listening comprehension skills. An invaluable asset in improving their English level, both in the academic world in terms of exam scores and classroom ability, but also for their future lives and careers.
CLASSES INCLUDE:
School Tours and School Exchange (combining Art and Culture): there will be guided tours around some of the areas top universities and schools, with a view to introducing the students to academic life in the US and have a chance to experience and understand different education systems; especially beneficial for students hoping to continue their education abroad.
Exeter, New Hampshire?Phillips Exeter Academy
There will also be classroom activities focusing on language, art and culture, to allow the students an invaluable chance to really meet and interact with the local American children, practice their English speaking skills and learn more about the native culture.
Some of these activities will combine Art and Culture classes, as a medium to promote easy interaction, enjoyment and understanding.
Plus, activities in acting, film-making and direction and art/painting classes, all with top level tutors and professionals and the chance to make a short documentary of the trip and their own experiences, which they can bring home to show parents and their school.
Activities will be overseen by the local tutors, mentors and/or parents, to facilitate the learning experience.
Students will also include their own feelings and experiences in their “Study Journals”.
American Culture and History: There will be visits to some of the famous landmarks and areas, like Exeter, Portsmouth, Boston and New Hampshire, all with their close historical links to Britain and the Pilgrims. Introductions will be given by local educators and guides, who will be able to give informative background details of the various locations and landmarks; plus visits to cultural centres like Art Galleries and Museums, to show students the history of the area and its culture.
Students will also keep a record of their journeys and experiences in their journals, so that on their return to their own school they can share what they’ve learned not only with their parents, but also with other students in their school; thus opening the experience up to other children who may not have been able to participate in this exchange.
University of New Hampshire?Boston, Massachusetts
The Environment: There will be chances to learn more about the local marine biology and environment, the effects of pollution on the ecosystem and the different marine life to be found in the local area, through some group activities with local students concentrating on environmental issues and the beach environment, again allowing the visiting children and the American children chances to interact and complete some interactive school projects beneficial to both groups.
The idea is to help set up some more firm links between the two schools and their students, in order to help facilitate future exchange programmes between the schools involved.
Health and Fitness: with some activities situated in one of the New England school’s region, set in a natural environment; the students will spend some time in the beautiful scenic location, where they can enjoy some simple outdoor activities, hiking into the woodlands and exploring the natural surroundings; and at the same time take part in some team building pursuits and games, designed to boost confidence and foster a team spirit.
(The itinerary is open to modification depending on numbers/ages/abilities etc, and the range of activities can be tailored to suit different requirements. The aim is to make the programme accessible for all).
Boston, Massachusetts?Boston Science Museum
FURTHER INFORMATION:
The programme is designed to involve many local institutions and educational facilities, with a view to giving the visiting students a chance to exchange information, find out about another culture and understand the local environment and customs.
The activities will be conducted in an English language environment, with Chinese used only as a backup for aiding in any comprehension difficulties.
All activities will be overseen by Team Leaders: myself (Rose Oliver) and my colleague Ms Julie Netti, a highly experienced middle school teacher from the US who also works in a private school in Holland, local teachers and educators, plus language assistants from the host schools/Chinese school and Shanghai University/Shanghai University for Science and Technology.
Boston Museum of Fine Arts?Harvard University, Boston
Students will keep a written journal in English of their day to day activities, experiences, thoughts and feelings, which will be checked daily by the Team Leaders and there will also be group discussions (in English) of what the students have accomplished during their activities; what progress they’ve made/wish to make; what problems or difficulties they’ve encountered and how they have solved them or ask/receive advice on how to solve them; what they understand about the area and culture; plus any questions they may have.
The goal is to involve all students, so there is 100% participation and everyone gets an opportunity to increase their confidence and improve their English level, enjoy the new environment and broaden their horizons; thus giving them an edge over their peers in their home setting, vital in this age of competition and rapid social development.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology?Theatre House
The programme will allow students access to the local community and let them see how other people live their daily lives, find out about their local history and culture and get a taste of a different mode of education; thereby increasing students English vocabulary, idiomatic expressions and interactive communication techniques and gain a more global perspective on life, in addition to promoting a strong sense of self, as well as one of leadership amongst their peers.
This is a rare chance for students to benefit from genuine “Community Education”, improve their English Language skills, learn about history and the environment, exchange culture, cultivate friendship, build individual ability and develop a sense of community, cooperation and team spirit.
Fort Foster?South Berwick High School
COST BREAKDOWN:
Cost per student ranges from between 15,000 – 30,000Rmb per student (fee subject to change/negotiation according to $/Rmb fluctuation, income level, activities, size of group etc,) and includes home-stay expenses, accommodation, meals, trips, transportation, activities, Team Leaders’ and language assistants’ expenses.
Flights, insurance and visa fees are not included.
The host US schools can also help provide documentation to help facilitate the visa process.
For further information please contact Rose Oliver.