Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, community service, brush painting and calligraphy, Mandarin and Tibetan language study, folk dancing, music, community service, and much more will be included in this Global Learning Across Borders (Global LAB) semester program. The semester offers participants an authentic, hands-on introduction to the remarkable cultures and traditions of both the “The Middle Kingdom” and Tibet.

Primary Locations

Guangzhou (Guangdong Province)

The semester begins with several days of orientation and exploration in the economic boomtown of Guangzhou (formerly known as “Canton” and, among other claims to fame, birthplace of several renowned Chinese dishes, including Dim Sum) in the Pearl River Delta. Participants will visit the bustling Qingping “Peaceful” Market; observe (and perhaps start to practice) Tai Chi Chuan at the city’s largest park, Haizhuang Gongyuan; enjoy a boat ride up the ZhuJiang and an excursion to BaiYun Shan, one of thirty nearby peaks where temples and monasteries preserve ancient spiritual traditions and practices. Before leaving this region students will spend three days together volunteering in a health support role in medical clinic.

Continue reading "Spring 2008 China Semester: February 15 -May 17" »

Posted by Global LAB at 7:39 PM | Permalink

2008 China & Tibet Semester Program Tuition: $8,950

Tuition includes residential pre-trip orientation in the US; preparatory and educational materials; dedicated student website for program communications and resources; all logistical facilitation; all hotels and guest houses; all meals; all domestic air fares/taxis/buses/trains/boats; museum, park and temple entrance fees; Global LAB faculty and instruction as well as local coordinators, cooks, porters, translators; all program elements (independent study projects and apprenticeships, community service projects, home-stays, guest lectures, community support/charitable contributions).

Please note: Additional expenses not covered by Global LAB include r/t international airfare and costs of domestic travel to point of departure (NYC), inoculations, travel insurance and international medical and evacuation insurance; visa/passport processing fees; personal costs (laundry, phone calls/emails, souvenirs, etc.).

Semesters are open to those ages 16-22. While Global LAB semesters are geared toward interim or ‘gap’ year students, high school seniors as well as university students regularly participate and are welcome to apply. No language prerequisite is required.

Global LAB accepts applications on a rolling admissions basis, accepting qualified applicants until programs are full. Each program has a maximum of 12 participants and 3 Global LAB instructors. For this reason, we recommend candidates submit their applications as early as possible.

To begin the application process, print out the preliminary application and FAQ below:
* Application form
* FAQ

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Assorted Films About China:

Note: Most of these films are in Mandarin, with subtitles; those with more English are noted below.

Beijing Bicycle (modern film addressing youth in Beijing- a sometimes disturbing but intriguing glimpse at life in the big city at the end of the 20th century...)

Empire of the Sun (interesting historical film touching on WW2 era and a prison camp in Shanghai) Mostly English.

Farewell my Concubine (a depressing film that features a Chinese opera troupe and the changes they experience over time in China in the mid-twentieth century)

Joy Luck Club (provides a good context for Americans going to China, to understand cultural differences and be aware of some 20th century history) Mostly English

To Live: If you only watch one film about China before you go, watch this one which portrays one family’s experience from pre-revolutionary times into the Cultural Revolution (late 60’s/early 70’s).

Continue reading "Recommended Reading and Viewing Lists" »

Posted by Global LAB at 7:56 PM | Permalink

Michelle at the Amber Fort, near Jaipur, India (Photo credit: Misha Clasby)

Dear China/Tibet Semester Participants:

I began studying Chinese in preparation for a move to Taiwan when I was twelve years old. I have been speaking Mandarin and going to various Asian locations ever since! After graduating from high school in Taipei, I spent a year studying abroad at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. I have taught Asian Studies (including taichi, Chinese Language & Culture, and Tibetan Studies among other subjects), designed and lead programs to China, Tibet, Thailand, and India and am very excited to find myself networking with people I know in China and Tibet to build this new semester program which will expose you to unbelievable living and learning opportunities in these fascinating regions.

My graduate studies focused on International Education and Tibetan Studies. Global LAB’s China/Tibet program will integrate language and cultural learning opportunities and provide the chance to intensely explore some ancient traditions: including Martial Arts, Buddhism, calligraphy, and traditional medicine, as well as a myriad of other topics you may choose as independent study projects.

Continue reading "Greetings from Michelle Bos-Lun, Director of Programs" »

Posted by Global LAB at 8:06 PM | Permalink

Lindsay at the Stone Forest, Yunnan Province, China

Hello China Semester Participants,

My name is Lindsay Kamakahi and I will be helping to lead Global LAB’s spring semester group to China and Tibet. I’d like to share with you a little background on where I found my passion for studying and teaching about different cultures.

The first time I went to China I was with my sister and my parents who were the directors for a student group from the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John's University (SJU) to BeiBei, in Chongqing province of China. We traveled to many of China’s major cities and even had a month of free travel at the end of the program. Among other adventures, I ended up being the voice for English language tapes created by Southwest China Normal University! During the free travel period I decided to visit Macau--a special administrative region of China—and became so fascinated with the place that I decided to apply to the University of Macau.

Continue reading "Greetings from Lindsay, Semester Director" »

Posted by Global LAB at 9:40 PM | Permalink