Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Global Study - China
June 2016
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Global Study – China 2016
Program Highlights
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Earn college credit and explore the origins of early Chinese culture and religion through art,
dance, architecture, history, and other guided immersive activities
Walk through famous temples and along ancient walls to connect with the history of
Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Mohism in China
Travel in a small, tight-knit team and develop new skills and confidence through leadership,
teamwork, and communication activities
Cultivate intercultural teamwork and gain new perspectives through community service
Program Details
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Dates: June 13 – June 26 , 2016
Broadreach Cost: $2,880 per student + airfare
Estimated Flight Cost:
Total airfare from Baltimore (BWI) to Beijing (PEK) and Dali (DLU); and from Kunming (KMG) to Baltimore
(BWI) is approximately $2,000. The airfare cost is an estimate based on current prices to assist your
planning and the cost will fluctuate until we have paid a deposit and reserved the flight.
This program includes:
• Broadreach instructor/s to facilitate the program
• Detailed pre-departure material and website
• Travel insurance (for U.S citizens)
• All group accommodation in China
• All meals in China (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• All cultural workshops, group activities, guides, guest speakers and tips
What is not included?
• Airline baggage fees and departure taxes
• Personal clothing – a detailed packing list will be provided
• Personal expenses – passport application, Chinese Visa, immunization, meals and travel not
associated with the group schedule in China
• Incidentals – souvenirs, snacks, medical expenses, etc. (approximately $150)
• Optional Lesley University Tuition and Fees: $150
Next Steps:
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December 10 : A $500 deposit check, made out to Broadreach, and student and
parent/guardian contact information is required to enroll in the program.
o You will receive a login to the course preparation website with important documents to
sign (Medical form, Terms, Risk and Release) and much more information about the
course including a packing list, health information, a detailed itinerary, syllabus, etc.
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March 15 : Final tuition is due. Payment can be made by check or by using and e-check on the
pre-departure website (Optional: a credit card can be used for a 2.8% fee).
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April 14 : Medical forms due
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May 13 : All completed paperwork due
CANCELLATIONS: Deposits and Final Payments are non-refundable
www.gobroadreach.com ● 919.256.8200 ● 919.833.2129 (fax)
806 McCulloch Street Ste 102, Raleigh, NC 27603
Program Elements
Academic Goals
This course is designed to provide a broad overview of Chinese culture and introduce students to diverse
aspects of life in China through hands-on learning and reflection. Interdisciplinary lessons in history, art,
culture, and religion are supported by interactions with local residents, daily activities and excursions.
Students may audit the course or register for credit through Lesley University and receive a grade and
transcript upon completion of the one-credit course.
Group Goals
There are many challenges associated with traveling and learning in new environments, and the success
of the experience depends on individual efforts and the cohesion of the group. We encourage students to
be active participants and help make decision that influence the program outcomes. Not only will students
work towards improving their understanding of Chinese culture, we also aim to grow together and practice
leadership, initiative and teamwork to reach our group goals. Other important group goals include
practicing cultural sensitivity and being open to learning about new topics, languages, and customs.
Above all, respect for the environment, one other, and for all the people we encounter is the cornerstone
to being responsible global citizens.
Risk of Traveling
There are inherent risks associated with travel in foreign countries. We take many steps to minimize risks
while creating a course design that promotes an authentic experience. Upon enrolling, all participants are
asked to sign a risk and release document outlining many of the common risks associated with travel. We
also feel that it is important to share and educate prospective participants about some of these risks
before enrolling in a program to China.
Throughout the program, we will be visiting urban and rural environments that pose different health and
safety risks; as such, participants will be required to be proactive about managing both personal and
group health concerns and take active steps to prevent diseases such as food borne illnesses, insect
bites, and other potentially infectious diseases. Additionally, China is a rapidly developing country; and
students will need to be aware of urban challenges like traffic, pollution, and crowded environments. To
help students better prepare for travel, we will provided detailed vaccination and health information prior
to traveling.
The group will also encounter cultural differences that are different from what they have come to expect
from life in the U.S. Day-to-day tasks will look very different in China; to prepare the group, we will provide
detailed country and cultural information in the enrollment packet and conduct thorough orientations upon
arrival in China. We are available to answer any questions or concerns that may arise before, during or
after the program.
China is a wonderful country with a rich history and vibrant culture that encourages exploration.
Nevertheless, we believe it is important to become informed about potential risks in order to prepare for
an extraordinary experience. Our main goal is the safety of the group and to have a successful
experience we need the group to help us create a positive experience for all.
www.gobroadreach.com ● 919.256.8200 ● 919.833.2129 (fax)
806 McCulloch Street Ste 102, Raleigh, NC 27603
Program Overview
Join your classmates for an adventure to the other side of the world to experience China’s vast history
and diverse cultures. We will visit the Forbidden City, explore sacred temples, practice Tai Chi, wander
vibrant markets, and interact with local communities in order to better understand the unique cultural
dynamics of China. Hands-on activities are supported by interdisciplinary lessons designed to provide
context and spark curiosity for the places we visit. Your travel across China will help you develop a
research topic that connects your experiences in China to your studies in the classroom. Our days will be
full and we will work together as a team to achieve all of our goals. By the end of this course, we hope
that you will have developed a deeper understanding of Chinese art, history, and culture that will help to
inspire your engagement as global citizens.
你好–Welcome to China!
It’s a long flight to China, but once we arrive it will feel like we’ve entered a whole new world! The best
way to adjust to jet-leg is to hit the town and start exploring. After much-needed rest and group
orientations, we head into the city to discover its history and culture; and what better place to start than
China’s famous Great Wall? Our introduction to China uncovers some of the nation’s most famous sights
and frames our interdisciplinary studies in varied environments that take us from ancient temples, to
Tiananmen Square, down the Changhe River, and across China.
Belief, Spirituality, and Religion
We begin the second half of our journey aboard an overnight sleeper train and into the city of Xi’an. This
ancient city is among the four “Great Capitals of China” and once marked the starting point of the Silk
Road. The city’s long history of international commerce has contributed to its fascinating diversity. Over
the next few days, we set out to experience Xi’an’s multiculturalism through the lens of understanding the
diverse beliefs, spirituality, and religion in China. We’ll visit a Muslim mosque, see a Terracotta Army,
climb to mountaintop temples, explore a working monastery, and master the art of yin and yang with Tai
Chi classes. From this vibrant city’s religious centers, we witness the confluence of the past and present
as we further immerse ourselves in modern Chinese culture.
Cultural Connections and Reflection
China is known for bustling and ultra-modern urban centers; but this vast country also houses quaint
provinces and rural towns that transport you back in time. To experience life at a slower pace, we fly to
the Yunnan Provence and explore the thriving cultural diversity around Dali. We learn about farm life from
local villagers and reflect on the different cultures across China’s many contrasting regions. Most
importantly, we apply all that we’ve learned and engage in cultural exchange and service. Connecting
with local communities is a great way to gain a more nuanced understanding of daily life in China, and it
is also really fun!
Our travels in China come to a close with one last transfer to Kunming where we relax and reflect by the
Green Lake and catch one last glimpse of China’s ancient temples. Over dinner and a cultural
performance, we come together to celebrate all that we’ve learned and the experiences that have made
this far flung country feel more like home. How will you share your experiences with others? Where will
your quest for Global Study take you next?
www.gobroadreach.com ● 919.256.8200 ● 919.833.2129 (fax)
806 McCulloch Street Ste 102, Raleigh, NC 27603