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" When China wakes, it will shake the world."
- Napoleon
Description

Harvard Summer Exchange Program Description

This summer the ACT Center in cooperation with Mindworks bring you the "Harvard Summer Exchange Program", an exclusive opportunity for Harvard students and alumni to have a taste of the exotic and fascinating culture of China for merely the cost of a plane ticket and visa.  Our 6 week program includes 10 days of touring major cultural sites in Beijing, Changsha, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, full accommodations with daily meals, and 6 weeks of cultural exchange with Chinese students. Throughout your time you’ll be able to see the marvels of China’s natural landscapes, visit famous sites, learn about Chinese history and language, try new and exotic foods, and wind your way through the back streets of cities old and new. In each of the cities you’ll see the hospitality that the Chinese are renowned for when you make bonds with students, families, teachers, and the community. Whether you want to enrich your cultural awareness, learn another language, make new friends, or have a taste of an adventure you’ll never forget, our Harvard exchange program is the ideal place to start.

Program Includes
6 weeks of cultural exchange with Chinese students
10 Days of Touring famous sites in Beijing, Changsha, Guangzhou and Hong Kong
Daily furnished accomations
3 meals a day of authentic Chinese food
Daily Chinese language lessons
Orientation Day to cover program details and Chinese culture considerations
ACT staff assistance both in China and US
All essential local transport, including airport pick up and drop off
Information package to orientate yourself to life in China

Note: For those participating in the 6 week program, plane ticket and visa will be your only cost to participate. All other essential expenses will be covered.
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General Description
Cultural Exchange
Living Arrangements
Touring
Schedule
Cost
Requirements

Cultural Exchange Program:
Our 2011 program will cover a period of 6 weeks from late June till early August with three 10 day cultural exchange sessions and 10 days of touring. There will be one session in Beijing, and two in Changsha. Each 10 day session you'll be a mentor to a group of Chinese students with whom you'll engage in meaningful dialogue about subjects such as politics, economics, history, Harvard student life, and cultural differences. You'll have interactions both in formal settings such as classrooms and informal such as in the park, over meals or on local tours. When using a classroom, amenities such as blackboard, TV sets with DVD and air conditioners will be provided. The students you'll be mentoring will primarily be high school students. Chinese translators and assistants will be with you every step of the way to make sure all your needs are met during your exchanges and ensure you'll gain intimate introduction to the nuances of Chinese culture and language.

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Living arrangement:
Participants will stay in furnished rooms with the minimum of an air conditioner, attached bathroom, bed, desk, chairs and electric outlets. Each site will have a Chinese host that will stay with the teachers during the entire period to take care of their personal needs and help organize any group activities. We will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together either at restaurants or in special rooms designated for us in our hotel or in the school cafeteria. The type of food will depend on which region, but generally food may consist of such dishes as beef braised in soy sauce, spinach sautéed in butter and garlic, sweet and sour fish, eggplant with pork strips etc…. If you have special dietary needs these can usually be met by arranging it in advance -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------top

Touring:
There will be 10 days of touring in 4 cities, Beijing, Changsha, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The Beijing tour will include sites such as the Great Wall and Forbidden city, Summer Palace and Olympic Park. In Changsha we'll be visiting the Yuelu mountains and Mao's birthplace. In Guangzhou we'll see Shamian Island and Pearl River, and in Hong Kong we'll see Victoria Harbor, and more. During our touring period we will also stay in quality hotels and have a tour guide explaining the history and meaning of the various locations and helping us with our local needs. We will also have the chance to sample famous dishes from specialty restaurants everyday. Touring will take place interspersed through the program as we move from one city to the next. For more details feel free to contact us. ----------------------------------------------top

Schedule:
Participant selection will take place through February till April and once all are finalized, an orientation will be held in Boston in late May. We will travel to Beijing as a group in late June and after getting settled, we'll dive right in with a tour of Beijing.After a few days of touring, we'll settle into our host institution where we have a daily routine of breakfast together, then a few hours of exchange with our students, then have lunch and a mid day siesta, then commence another few hours of exchange. In the evenings we'll either have some fun activities with the students or you'll have free time to venture out on your own. The 10 day period will also include 1 or 2 rest days along with various excursions and activities with the students. The touring will either be in the beginning of the period or end depending on location.

Your return ticket can also be extended for up to six months if you wish to travel independently after the program with no additional cost. This has been a popular option with a lot of our participants who wish to spend more time exploring China independently. However, you'll have to make that decision before purchase of the ticket to avoid extra fees. All departures and arrivals cities must also remain the same. If you would like to stay in China longer after completing the program you will responsible for your own accomodations, travel, visa arrangements and travel to the airport. However, we'd be happy to provide suggestions on travel plans for you.

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Cost to Participate:
The only requisite expenses to participate will be the purchase of your plane ticket and visa.
For those leaving from the East coast the cost of a ticket may be around $1500 depending on how early the ticket is bought and which airline. Tickets may be up to $300 cheaper leaving from the West coast due to the proximity. The visa fee depends on whether you'd like to acquire it yourself or if you'd like us to acquire it for you. Those choosing to attain their visa through the ACT Center via the Chinese Consulate in New York the cost will be a total of $160 USD. If planning to attain the visa independently you will be responsible for locating the closest Chinese Consulate or visa service company. A standard 3 day visa processing at all of the Chinese consulates is now $140. The ACT Center will provide you with a visa form and instructions on completing it.

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Requirements:
We are currently looking for upwards of 30 Harvard students or alumni for the the 2011 Harvard Exchange Program. Unfortunately we cannot accept applicants under 18 years of age, or those with expired passports. Photocopy of Harvard student ID or diploma may be required to prove status.

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