Xavier Confucius Institute 2014 Summer China Study Abroad

Xavier Confucius Institute 2014 Summer China Study Abroad
This is our second year of the Confucius Institute Summer Study Abroad in China program. We
had 16 Xavier students from chemistry, biology, pharmacy, art, computer science and business
management departments who attended the program from May 8 to May 24.
The curriculum included language lessons and various cultural activities and excursions.
Students also learned about paper cutting, Chinese calligraphy and painting, tea culture, Peking
opera, Chinese folk music, martial arts and Taichi. They also visited a historic Zhili Provincial
Governor's Office, Baoding University and Baiyang Lake, and attended the Baoding
International Diabolo Festival. During our stay, there happened to be an English Week
organized by the English Department and International English & Cultural Studies. Our student
participated one of the English Corner activities.
The group left Hebei on May 21 and spent 3 days in Beijing. They visited the Great Wall of
China, the Forbidden City, Beijing Zoo, 798 Art Street and the Confucius Institute Headquarter.
At the Confucius Institute Headquarters, students were able to experience high technology
Chinese Learning equipment and tour the exhibits of Chinese learning materials, Confucius
Institutes of the year, and some cultural displays. They also met Ms. Tang Yi, one of the officials
in charge of North American Confucius Institutes.
The program improved a lot based on our experience from last year. We arranged a one-to-one
partnership for every student throughout the entire program in Hebei University. The Chinese
partner helped each student with their language drill practice, showed them around the campus,
brought them to lunch, and accompanied them on most excursions in Baoding. This one-to-one
partnership greatly helped American students with their language skills. It is much better than the
traditional format of one teacher lecture. The communication between the students also helped
them understand the two cultures in greater depth. The friendship they built up with their
partners will continue to benefit their exploration of Chinese language and culture in their lives.
This trip increased the students’ interest in further exploring Chinese culture and learning
Mandarin. Several students expressed strong interested in obtaining a Confucius Institute
scholarship to study in China for some time. Several pharmacy students would like to have
rotation in China next year. Overall, it was a very successful program.
Watching performance by the Dancing Department students
Experiencing Fragrance Culture at the Tongmei Tea House
Practicing Chinese Calligraphy with local famous calligrapher Mr. Li Donghui at the Xianyifang
Calligraphy Club House.
Watching Tea Culture demonstration at the Tongmei Tea Club House
Learning Chinese Kongfu
At the International Diabolo Festival in Baoding
Visiting the Hanban Headquarter
Learning Chinese folk songs
Climbing the Great Wall of China
Xavier Student list:
Student Name
Amber Janae Douglass
Ashley Janae Douglass
Rayya Ajeenah Hunter
Kathia Breyonna Williams
Keyaisha Nicole Thomas
McKenzie Marie Moses
Victoria Garrett Phillips
Wyndy Ressa Bailey
D'Undria Colette Taylor
Kevin Kendrick Lam
Chandler David Schexnayder
Gabriel Patrick Hersy Jones
Reginald Earl Alex II
Temitayo Banjo
DARREN CHARLES RILEY
DiQuan Forcell
Major
biology
Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy
pharmacy
bio/preMed
psychology
biology
Chemistry
chemistry
Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy
chemistry
pharmacy
business management
computer science
pharmacy
pharmacy
art