By Rebecca Ip
Seattle Chinese Post
The Asia Pacific Culture Foundation (APCF), a nonprofit, will hold its first summer study program in China for U.S. students with Seattle Central Community College.
This summer, high school students over the age 15 will have a chance to be immersed in Chinese culture and study the language. After a 14-day stay in China, these students will earn five credits recognized by all Seattle Community Colleges.
Founded in 2004, Asia Pacific Culture Foundation promotes cultural exchange among international students. In 2008, the foundation organized a successful trip where students visited Shanghai.
Board members of this foundation mostly comprise of Seattle Community Colleges instructors and administrators.
Felicity Wang, who has years of experience in tourism, is CEO of the foundation. Spending three yearsWang has coordinated with Chinese educational institutes and governmental agencies.
Wang notes that the Chinese language has become popular in recent years. “However,” she said in Chinese, “many of our local young people still lack understanding in the Chinese culture and language. [I] hope this summer program will give students a good experience. Also, when they come back, they can share their knowledge. …”
To plan for this program, Wang visited Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian to make arrangements. She has coordinated with the Ministry of Education in Beijing and chose the Civil Aviation Management Institute of China to provide a class for students.
Wang plans for a local language mentor to accompany students as they tour the city.
To make their stay in China comfortable, students will stay in dorms similar to U.S. campuses. The facilities will be comparable to three-star hotels, with air conditioning, Internet, and private bathrooms.
When Wang introduced her program’s plans to local community colleges and high schools, she noticed that not only were the students interested, but so were teachers and parents. Wang accommodated. There is a portion of the program that includes accompanying teachers and parents, but that trip is for 10 days, not 14.
Wang hopes this program, scheduled to leave on July 11, will give the students a wonderful cultural experience. (end)
To learn more about the program, contact APCF at 206-624-1610.
Rebecca Ip can be reached at rebecca@nwasianweekly.com.
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