February 03, 2010
Westridge Teacher Introduction: Andrew
This is Andrew and I am a math teacher at Westridge. I am a native Chinese and I spend the first twenty five years of my life in China. I still keep closed connection with the other side of the Pacific Ocean after I came to the US. Two years ago I was one of the four teachers on the NiHao China trip so this is my second time going there with our students, but still my feeling is as excited as the first time. I am looking forward to meet the global-lab folks in LAX.
Westridge Teacher Introduction: Kam
Ni hao,
My name is Kam, one of the three Westridge teachers leading this China interim trip. I was born and raised in Asia and Canada. I have been teaching Chinese for more than 10 years now. I love to travel. My career in teaching Chinese has taken me all over the world. I started my teaching career at the University of British Columbia, Canada. Before coming to Westridge, I worked as the Chinese Faculty Assistant at the University of Maryland. I had also taught men and women in services at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. Every time I travel to China, I always learn something new. Now I can climb the Great Wall once again!
Westridge Teacher Introduction: Hilary
Ni Hao,
My name is Hilary and I am a Latin teacher at Westridge School. During my 17 years at Westridge, I have traveled with students throughout California and to several US states for sightseeing, camping and community service. I also have led two student trips to Rome, Pompeii and Florence. This will be my first time to Asia, and I am so excited! I am eager to see the famous sights as well as the out-of-the-way hidden treasures of China. I know the students and I will have the most amazing experience of our lives in China.
Program Co-Director Introduction: Jonathan
First and foremost, get pumped – it’s going to be a great trip! China is an amazing country, and by far one of my favorite places to travel because it is so expansive—not only in terms of its actual area, but also its culture. Your China experience will undoubtedly be unique, safe and exciting.
Continue reading "Program Co-Director Introduction: Jonathan " »
Program Co-Director Introduction: Lindsay
My name is Lindsay and I am excited to meet and get to know you as we start to prepare for our China visit! The first thing I want to mention is--PACK LIGHT! I know that we are all stoked to get on over to China, and you may have started purchasing items that you will need, but if traveling through China since 2001 has taught me anything--it is don't over pack. China has most of the things you want to buy, and you don't want to drag things around with you, you are going to want to use that free space to buy things to bring home! Think about that as the trip approaches.
Continue reading "Program Co-Director Introduction: Lindsay" »
Greetings from Director of China Programs
Michelle with a Tibetan Buddhist nun
I began studying Chinese in preparation for a move to Taiwan with my family when I was twelve years old. I had no idea then how greatly time in Asia would impact the rest of my life. I have now been speaking Mandarin and spending time in Asia for almost thirty years. After graduating from high school in Taipei, I spent a year at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. My graduate work was done in the field of International Education, with fieldwork on the plight of Tibetan refugees in Indian exile communities.
Continue reading "Greetings from Director of China Programs" »
China Itinerary
WESTRIDGE SCHOOL
11-Day Program: Beijing/Luoyang/Xian/Beijing
To download a Word document of the itinerary, click the link below
Download file
Day 01: March 21, 2010, Sunday -- Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, China’s capital. Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Engage in introductory language lessons/ review and cultural orientation sessions as we begin to experience life (and probably some jetlag) in China.
February 23, 2010
My China Visa
Hello! This is Lindsay and I wanted to let you know how excited I was to get my passport back from the Chinese Consulate today! This means that our trip really is right around the corner and we will soon be on our way to China. I can't wait to meet you guys at the LAX airport and hope that you will have your passports in hand (if you don't already) very soon. Take care, stay safe and have a beautiful day! See you soon!
March 01, 2010
What to Expect: Weather in Beijing, Xi'an & Luoyang
Hi Everyone,
Good morning from Chicago, where it is a blustery, overcast 33 degrees with a solid chance of flurries.
Given the warm, sunny weather in California, I can imagine it being difficult to relate. (sense any jealousy?!) :)
On that note, here is the type of weather, temperature-wise, you can expect during our trip, so plan accordingly:
**Each number is the average temperature listed in Fahrenheit (Celsius)**
---------------
Beijing -
High: 52 (11.3)
Low: 31 (-0.6)
---------------
Xi'an -
High: 57 (13.9)
Low: 38 (3.6)
---------------
Luoyang -
High: 58 (15)
Low: 28 (-1.5)
---------------
Think Autumn weather, with hints of both late Spring and late Winter. As the trip continues, it should grow warmer.
T minus 18 days until we are on our way!
Jonathan & Linz
March 02, 2010
Visit to Starfish Foster Home in Xi’an
During my time as an English teacher in China, I had the opportunity to volunteer and fundraise at an orphanage in Fuzhou. The experience impacted my life in an exponentially positive way, and I have become involved with some amazing people and organizations who are dedicated to incredible causes.
As such, we have been kindly invited to spend the latter portion of the 9th day of our trip at Starfish Foster Home in Xi’an. Starfish Foster Home is a humanitarian organization (non faith-based) dedicated to caring for and saving the lives of infants and toddlers who have special medical needs in mainland China. Amanda de Lange, who founded the organization in September 2005, has welcomed us to interact with the young children at her foster home and learn about some important issues affecting young babies in China. It is Starfish’s goal to expedite the movement of children out of orphanages and into the arms of adoptive families.
This visit will be an awesome opportunity to bring some outside love and care to an eager group of children who will be elated to meet all of you!
Here are a few websites you can visit to learn more about Starfish:
Main webpage: http://www.thestarfishfosterhome.org/index.aspx
Blog: http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com/
Cleft Palate Blog: http://chinesestarfishcleft.blogspot.com/
More information to come!
Kindly,
Jonathan
March 08, 2010
Prep for the trip
I have started putting aside things that I will be taking on the trip with me. I have listened to some of my Mandarin CD's to get my ears used to the tones. Jonathan and I have spent much time brainstorming and talking about how close the trip is and how excited we are getting! Now, it is time for us to begin some of our mental prep before we even get to the airport. As the days draw nearer to our departure, there are some things we can do to help us get ready for the trip.
Start looking up some information about the places we are going to. There is a lot of history and culture and it can be kind of overwhelming--but if you take a look at it, even if it doesn't really mean anything to you right now, you can look back on your notes after we have gone to the landmarks.
Update your address book if you are planning on sending post cards! I know, in the age of technology we are used to sending off electronic messages of all sorts, however, parents and little siblings LOVE getting old fashioned postal mail! I still send postcards almost every time I am abroad and it is a beautiful thing to look back on the sites I have gone to and see where I was in that time of my life.
Sit down and think about your thoughts about China--what do you think China will be like? How have you heard China described? What was the food like that you have tried? What stereotypes do you have about Chinese people? How have people reacted when you said you were going to China? What do you hear about China in the news?
I hope that you will each find yourself getting a little more excited as the days go by and it is surely ok to be getting nervous or anxious. Make sure to go over your packing list, and remember that you will be in charge of carrying your bag--practice carrying it around up and down stairs and for 15-20 minutes to see if you can do it. Remember that you can go shopping in China and you will want to bring things back!
One of my suggestions would be to get a small notebook for the trip. Some of the things you may put in it are the answers to some of the questions that your teachers, parents, siblings and friends have asked. Maybe you will want to jot down some of the answers to the questions that Jonathan and I will pose to you. Through the trip, you probably will have questions or observations that you want to follow up on--or you just see something interesting and want to remember it--using a notebook to keep the ideas fresh in your mind is a great way for us to talk about them when the time is right. You will also find some amusing "Chinglish" phrases that you will want to remember and maybe we don't really have time to stop so you can just take note.
Start thinking about the destination of China and start getting used to the idea that it really is right around the corner. Have a beautiful day!
Lindsay
March 15, 2010
China Guide Introductions
Dear Westridge Travelers,
In each city we visit, a local guide will be assisting our travels. They will be an excellent resource and are all very excited to meet all of you! Below are short introductions each guides who will be helping us along the way in Beijing, Luoyang, and Xi’an:
Beijing Guide: Ms. Zhu Yan Ling (Lisa)
Gender: Female
Education: B.A., English, Beijing Foreign Studies University
Work Experience: 1998 – Present, Tour Escort
Intro: It’s guiding that has enlightened my life and all my friends’. Traveling leads to the most colorful world, while guiding is the window that makes traveling even more impressive and memorable. I really enjoy working as a guide, meeting friends all over the world and making traveling a pleasant experience for all of us.
Xi’an Guide: Ms. Wu Xiao Jing (Corona)
Gender: Female
Education: B.A., Tourism Management, Northwest University
Work Experience: 2001 – Present, Tour Escort
Intro: Guiding has become an essential part of my life which keeps bringing me great fun. Imagine how exciting it is to travel with friends all over the world and make them feel the heart beat of each destination!
Luoyang Guide: Ms. Liu Luo Feng (Linda)
Gender: Female
Education: B.A., English, Zhengzhou University
Work Experience: 2002 – Present, Tour Escort
T-minus 5 days until the trip of a lifetime!
Yours truly,
Jonathan
Recent Posts
- Westridge Teacher Introduction: Hilary
- Program Co-Director Introduction: Jonathan
- Program Co-Director Introduction: Lindsay
- Greetings from Director of China Programs
- China Itinerary
- My China Visa
- What to Expect: Weather in Beijing, Xi'an & Luoyang
- Visit to Starfish Foster Home in Xi’an
- Prep for the trip
- China Guide Introductions