Asia Gap Semester China Vietnam Cambodia Thailand September 15 December 13, 2015

Transcription

1 Asia Gap Semester China Vietnam Cambodia Thailand September 15 December 13, 2015 Semester Highlights: Teach English in Chinese Villages that Have Never Been Visited by Native English-Speakers Discover Shaxi, a Remote Tibetan Town Nestled in the Foothills of the Himalayas Work with Youth Affected by Agent Orange in Vietnam Impact Lives While Installing Clean Water Filters in Homes in Cambodia Learn Firsthand the Story of Human Trafficking in Cambodia Immerse Yourself in Rural Life during a 10-Day Homestay in a Small Thai Village Care for and Rehabilitate Elephants in Thailand Alongside Local Biologists Become SCUBA Certified on the Thai Island of Koh Tao and Help Restore the Reef Days 1 5: Travel & Orientation to Beijing, China We begin our semester in San Francisco and fly together to Beijing, China where we start our orientation to Chinese culture, customs and language. Here we spend time coming together as a traveling community, setting both individual and group goals for the duration of the program. Our preparation includes mapping out our itinerary, introducing our curriculum, identifying projects in conjunction with our five essential themes and brainstorming ideas for our individual capstone projects. While in Beijing we find ourselves in an entirely different world. With 1.3 billion people, China is the most populous country in the world and Beijing is the perfect place to get oriented, as this ancient city offers an intriguing view of old and new as skyscrapers blend with classic architecture. We explore the city and journey back in time hundreds of years to the magnificent

2 Forbidden City where dynasties once reigned. We visit Tiananmen Square, which was constructed in 1949 as a symbol of the People s Republic of China. Finally, we witness the achievements of modern day China as we take in the Olympic Stadium, home of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Throughout this exploration we take note of both the obvious and more subtle signs of growth and development. No visit to China would be complete without visiting the iconic Great Wall; dating back to the 5 th century, the wall was built of stone and other earthen materials as a form of protection from various nomadic groups. We spend a night sleeping on the wall, taking time to learn its rich history and marvel at its construction. Days 6 12: Liming & Meile Primary Schools From Beijing we travel to the Yunnan province, home to many of China s ethnic minority groups. Arriving into Liming, a picturesque community set at the foot of a valley, we take in the sights of rural China, noticing the vast difference between the bustle of Beijing and the quiet of the countryside. Until very recently, these villages were relatively cut off from the rest of China and did not receive much assistance. During our time at the Liming Primary School we alternate between studying the education system and lending our skills in music and sport classes. When our work is done we hike the Thousand Turtle Mountain and join in with the local Lisu minority people for a bonfire party with lots of local dancing. After a couple days in Liming we venture further into the countryside to Meile, an even more remote village in the mountains above Liming. Coming face-to-face with this very impoverished community where the average income is less than $600/year/person, we will work for two days at the local primary school, rebuilding some stoves which are used to cook for the 200+ students who board at the school and teaching English. Days 13 15: Tiger Leaping Gorge Saying goodbye to our new friends in Meile, we drive to Qiaotou, the gateway to the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. Leaving our big bags behind, we spend the next two days hiking this world renowned location. We brave the 28 bends, a series of switchbacks taking you to the highest point of the Tiger Leaping Gorge Trail and providing spectacular views of the imposing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. With comfortable guesthouses awaiting us every night, our hike in China is one we will never forget. Days 16 21: Shaxi Ancient Town In Shaxi we learn and participate in a grassroots microfinance project focused around tourism. Shaxi is a remote town that still holds its customs and traditions very dear. However, in the ever-globalized world, the villagers are exploring tourism efforts in order to raise the standard of living. We meet

3 with Teacher Huang to understand the motivations behind the development of local homestays and how they fit into his plans for tourism development in Shaxi. Over the next four days, we work on developing the Shaxi homestays for the foreign tourist market by giving hosts some background on Western travelers and basic homestay needs. We develop classes on Western culture, lessons on meals and cooking and create a welcome booklet for travelers. We also have the opportunity to volunteer in the local Kindergarten, where we teach simple English songs, games and art to the students. Days 22 29: Exploration in Hanoi, Sailing in Halong Bay, and Village Stay After a short journey to Vietnam, we find ourselves stepping into bustling city of Hanoi. Wandering the back streets of the Old Quarter, we sample Pho, and gorge on delightful cuisine, while visiting must-see sights, such as Ho Chi Minh's tomb and the One Pillar Pagoda. The next few days we experience the breathtaking views of Halong Bay from aboard a traditional junk. Basking in the warm ocean breezes and sleeping on deck for a two night excursion, we kayak to your own private island, surrounded by the mystifying limestone cliffs of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the next week we live in a community outside of Hanoi working with locals that have been strongly impacted by the effects of Agent Orange. The aim of the village is to provide children, veterans and youth volunteers with medical treatment, special education and vocational training areas, with the goal to reintegrate them into their communities. We teach English lessons, help around the grounds, and learn about the projects that students are working on (such as embroidery, beadwork, etc), all the while forming close friendships with the eager Vietnamese students who have long-anticipated our visit. Days 29 36: Angkor Wat and Orphanage Work Making our home in Siem Reap, Cambodia, we find ourselves busy balancing work at the nearby orphanage and school, with visits to the amazing sights of this charming city. Experiencing one of the World Wonders at sunrise, we take in the majesty of Angkor Wat, wander down tree-lined narrow streets, and improve on our bartering skills at Siem Reap's famous night market, all the while observing the differences in this new country. Having the opportunity to impact hundreds of Cambodian youth

4 at the Elma school, we learn about Cambodian education successes and failures, lending our services as best we can. Days 37 47: Working to Combat Human Trafficking For the next 10 days we bunk up dormitory style on the grounds of our partner organization in Kampong Speu. Partnering with a local organization whose mission is to combat human trafficking, after effects of the Khmer Rouge era, we learn about their efforts to provide education and employment opportunities to locals. With a focus on women and children, we have the opportunity to assist in the hospitality school, work on bio-sand water filters and tutor in the local school. Sharing meals with locals, facilitating computer classes and English lessons, conducting site visits and constructing clean water filters, we learn about the many successes that have taken place in this organization which is based in one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia. Days 48 55: Bangkok Orientation and Exploration Only a short flight from Cambodia, we arrive in Bangkok, Thailand, eager to embrace the friendly people and culture awaiting us. While in Bangkok, we explore the canals by long boat, sample incredible Thai delicacies and visit the great sights of Bangkok including the famous Grand Palace and the Reclining Buddha. These days are busy exploring our new surroundings, as well as participating in a thorough orientation of our new home country. Days 56 75: Public Health and Education in Lom Sak Travelling north from Bangkok, we arrive in the small village of Lom Sak. Lom Sak and the surrounding villages will be our home for the next 3 weeks, as we live, work and immerse ourselves in the lives of local families. We truly become a part of the family, as our gracious hosts invite us into their lives and show us the hospitality for which Thailand is famous. The Thai people love to show guests their country and we benefit from family tours not only around town, but also weekend trips to famous temples, Nam Nao National Park and other adventures. During our time in the Lom Sak area, we give back to the community by teaching English in local schools. Our orientation in Bangkok has prepared us with effective teaching tools and we work alongside local Thai teachers to develop and implement exciting curricula for our eager students. We also volunteer our time and efforts at Lom Sak Hospital. A testament to ground-roots village improvement, the hospital was built entirely by contributions from the local community. We feel

5 honored to be of assistance in this worthwhile endeavor and gain practical knowledge and experience as we shadow health care professionals, helping them during their rounds. Days 76 82: Kanchanaburi Orphanage Work and Elephant Rehabilitation Having gained a thorough understanding of Thai culture and a basic grasp of the language during our village homestays, we feel well-prepared to dive into our next adventure. We travel to the small town of Kanchanaburi where we will live and work in a local orphanage. Here we touch on elements of both the Public Health and Literacy and Education components of our curriculum. In addition to joining in the daily activities of the children and learning about Thai public health services, we design and facilitate an English Camp, an opportunity to truly connect with the Thai youth and get to know them on a more personal level. During our time here, we take side trips to the historic River Kwai, the nearby floating markets and several local Buddhist monasteries. During our stay in Kanchanaburi, we also delve into the Environment and Conservation component of our curriculum as we work with the Thai Elephant Conservation Center. Here we learn the basics of elephant biology and how to care for these incredible animals. From our dedicated partners at the conservation center, we learn firsthand the plight of Thailand s indigenous elephants and what is being done to help this species. We continue journaling and collecting interview material for use in our Capstone Project. Days 83 90: Gulf of Thailand Exploration, Koh Tao SCUBA Diving and Reef Clean-Up We end our time in this wonderful country by relaxing on the Gulf of Thailand s serene beaches. Off the island of Koh Tao we explore the incredible array of multi-colored fish and corals populating Thailand s extravagant reefs. During the day we complete our PADI dive certification while at night we enjoy the quiet beauty of Koh Tao. Those new to diving will have the chance to earn their Open Water Diver certification, while experienced divers can earn their Advanced Diver certificate. As our semester comes to a close, there is no question our learning and living during these three months will prepare us for the rest of our lives. As we savor our last week together, we are excited to head home to share our newly gained knowledge and insights from our firsthand look at the global issues facing China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Please note: Itinerary is subject to change