Important Dates and Deadlines
- Register for Trip at Discounted Rate: September 1, 2014
- Register for Trip at Normal Rate: November 1, 2014
- Project Meeting: Friday, December 19, 2014
- Final Payments Due: December 21, 2014
- Apply for Passport: December 31, 2014
- Color Copy of Passport Due: February 1, 2014
- Chinese New Year Saturday Session: February 21, 2015
- Class Trip to Chinese Embassy in NYC to Apply for Visas: February 24, 2015
- Greetings and Cultural Norms Saturday Session: March 14, 2015
- Food and Chopsticks Saturday Session: March 21, 2015
- Numbers and Haggling Saturday Session: March 28, 2015
- Final Trip Meeting: April 1, 2015 at 6:00 PM
- Meet at Wilbur Cross Parking Lot to leave for China: April 10, 2015 at 1:30 AM
Chinese Language and Culture Sessions
We will have four Saturday sessions prior to leaving where students can learn a few Chinese phrases while also learning a bit about Chinese culture. The dates for the Saturday sessions are listed below. These are not mandatory sessions, though I highly recommend attending them as they may prove useful while you're traveling through China.
Chinese New Year
February 21, 2015, 10AM-5PM
Come celebrate the year of the ram. This Saturday session will be devoted to learning about the traditions and history associated with the Chinese New Year: including the zodiac, traditional foods, and customs. We will participate in Yale-China's Lunarfest, which starts at 10 AM and goes till 5 PM. We will select a variety of workshops to attend. To learn more about the workshop offerings and the festival celebrations, click here.
Greetings and Cultural Norms
March 14, 2015, 12PM-2PM
Come learn some basic Mandarin phrases. Learn to greet people, to ask where the bathroom is, or to ask if someone speaks English. This is a great opportunity for you to come learn the basics of the Chinese language. It will make you truly appreciate the English language. In addition to key words and phrases, you will also be given a brief introduction to the Chinese writing system and some cultural norms. Don't be caught off guard. Learn what to expect.
Food and Chopsticks - A Crash Course in Not Starving in China
March 21, 2015, 12PM-2 PM
Chopsticks are the standard utensils in China. Food is designed to be bite-size, but is often difficult to eat if you aren't used to eating with chopsticks. Come learn about the types of food we'll be trying in Beijing and Hong Kong, how to order some of your favorites, and even try some! It's also time to dispel some facts from fiction in what Americans believe Chinese food to be. Today's cultural session comes with a lesson on how to properly use chopsticks. Remember, the more you practice, the better you'll get.
Numbers and Haggling - Maximizing Your Consumer Surplus
March 28, 2015, 10AM-12PM
Outside of standard stores, you are culturally expected to haggle for commodities. Learn your Chinese numbers (verbal and sign) and the art of haggling. Most Americans get frustrated with haggling and either pay too much for or don't buy the things they want. Practice your haggling skills with others. The more comfortable you are doing it, the more likely you are to get a good deal.