Each summer, Milton
Academy sends a group of Academy students to Heilongjiang
University in Harbin for four weeks of intensive Mandarin
training. The group then proceeds to Beijing, where they spend
one week touring and living at the Experimental
Middle School attached to Beijing Normal University in Beijing.
The usual dates of the trip are late May to early July, a total
of 5 weeks.
Harbin
Harbin is a city of 3.5 million people (9th largest in China)
and is the capital of Heilongjiang. It is a commercial/industrial
center and a fairly new city so it lacks some of the tourist appeal
of ancient landmarks. This means foreigners in Harbin are expected
to speak Chinese on the streets and in stores. In and around the
city one can visit the Buddhist Temple, Confucian Temple, 731
Japanese Biological Warfare Experimental Headquarters (Japan occupied
Northeastern China from 1931-1945), Sun Island Summer Resort,
the Amusement Park, Botanical Gardens, and several museums. Shopping,
including a huge underground city, will also occupy much of your
time. We will also take a day trip to a farming village in the
countryside and visit the ruins of the Jin dynasty imperial palace.
In 2002, the group also visited Inner Mongolia for a weekend.
This year’s longer side trip is yet to be decided.
Classes
Classes are weekday mornings from 8:00-12:00. Classes are divided
into spoken, listen comprehension, and grammar/writing. Afternoons
are usually spent exploring in the city. We also schedule Taijiquan
(Tai Chi) classes, art and calligraphy demonstrations in the afternoon.
Evenings are usually left as time to do homework and rest.
Living
arrangements
The dormitory at Heilongjiang University is plush compared to
most American schools, more like a hotel. Students will live two
to a room. Your roommate will be one of our students. 3 meals
per day are provided in one of the school cafeterias. For safety
concerns, we have established that student's must return to campus
by 8:00 PM, unless on a school trip or an outing approved by the
chaperone, and be back in the dormitory by 10:00 PM (it's locked
at 10:30). The university also has a laundry service which is
included in the program. On campus, there is also a 2000 seat
theater, 6000 seat sports arena (home to Harbin’s WCBA team
as well as university functions) and a large variety of restaurants
and snack bars.
Host
families
On weekends, students are set up with host families to experience
what life in a family is like. The students will go places with
the host family, eat in their homes, and maybe just spend the
evening talking or watching TV.
|
|
Frequently
Asked Questions
Who
is eligibe to participate?
Usually students go after their second or third
year of high school Chinese or equivalent, but each case
is determined on an individual basis. Strong first year
students will also be considered.
For further
information contact Michael Murray,
Chinese language teacher &
Director of the Milton China Summer Program
Office (617) 898-2333
Home (617) 696-6475
Fax (617) 898-1703
E-Mail: Michael_Murray@Milton.edu
|
Chaperones
usually are two Milton Academy teachers, at least one of whom
will be fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
The emphasis of this program is academics, not
travel, and that aspect will always have top priority. Students
are expected to attend every class, unless sick, and do all assignments.
Furthermore, violation of Milton Academy's school policy on drug
and alcohol use will be dealt with severely (you'll be issued
a copy of the School handbook upon acceptance to the program).
Downloads
& Links
View the
Summer in China 2000 powerpoint presentation
China Travel Service
Destination Guide
Travel
China Guide: Harbin
|