2014

Congratulations 2014 China Delegation

SAMANTHA NICOLE ALEXANDER

RACHEL LYNN PRAVETZ

KELLY VYVY HUYNH

CAITLYN ELAINE KIMBERLY

SAMANTHA LOUISE SANTIAGUEL

AMARI TATYANA WOODARD

AUBREY CASTILLO MEDINA

DANIELA TIMOTHYEVNA FULLER

CRISTINA MANUELA ROWE

BAILEE MARIE KELLEY

KELLY L WALKER, Chaperone

WAN ZHANG, Chaperone

After School Meeting Dates

March 11: Geography, History and Traditions

March 18: Politics and the Economy

March 24: Culture: Beijing and Harbin

Students will be given reading material on each topic prior to the meeting. Read all materials before the meeting. The meetings will be in room 204 from 2:10 to 3:30.

Timeline

First meeting for parents and students is February 26, 2014, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m
Deposit $200
Visa $180
Actual Passport Needed for VISA
VISA Application

Final Parent Meeting
$1250 Balance of Airfare DUE March 18

After School Meetings for Students TBD

Interesting Links

Hotel in Beijing

Beijing Da Wan Hotel

Dongcheng District, Wang Fu Jing Street Ganyu Hutong Jia #2, Beijing, China

Phone:010-85112266

Itinerary for Beijing

中国剑桥三中接待美国高木高中孔子课堂北京地区行程

日期

内容

4月8日

接机后游览北京秀水购物

Pick up & Shopping (Silk Street)

入住大万酒店

Check in hotel

4月9日

上午：文化游览长城 The Great Wall

下午：参观孔子学院 Visit Confucius Institute

鸟巢水立方 Olympic Park

4月10日

上午：文化游览天安门广场 Tian’an Men

故宫 The Forbidden City

下午：南锣鼓巷 Nan Luo Gu Xiang (Hutong)

4月11日

早：送机，飞往哈尔滨 Going to Harbin

Ms. Zhang's List of FAQs

1.       How to be prepared for the weather in Harbin?

Wear layers and definitely need thicker jackets.

2.       What are the limits for my luggage?

You can bring a backpack or a small carry-on suitcase with you on the airplane. No weight limitation.

You can have one checked luggage. The weight limitation for both international and domestic travel is no more than 40lbs.

3.       What should I pack?

Except clothes and any personal items you can think of, you also should bring a voltage converter if you need to use hair dryer, digital camera or other electrical equipment. You don’t have to worry about laptops, smart phones or Apple products. They have universal charging system built in. In general, follow this rule: pack the items you will have to use and you don’t think you will get in China.

4.       How much money do I need to bring? How should I carry the money with me?

For how much, it really depends on the students. 1 dollar=6 RMB. A bottle of water is about 3-5 RMB. Taking a cab is about 30-50RMB. Last year, no one spent more than $300 for snacks and souvenirs in Xi’an & Harbin.

For carrying money with you, we recommend have small amount of cash in pocket. Put most of your money in a debit card. Students can withdraw money from ATM in China. Also, we can exchange money in the airport and at the local banks when we arrive.

5.       What should I bring as gifts for my host family?

Something represents the city, the state or the county, for example, chocolates, nuts, candies.

Something practical such as lotions and T shirts.

Something pretty and not too big because of the weight limits of the luggage, and nothing fragile.

6.       Is it safe in China?

Yes, it’s very safe. However, do not buy souvenirs on the street next to tourist spots.

7.       Is it safe when it comes to the air pollution?

First, it’s defiantly not good for health. You can wear masks when there’s smog if needed. Second, we only stay in China for a very short period of time. It should be fine.

8.       How can I communicate with my child every day?

The chaperons will email Ms. Gurley everyday if internet is available. Ms. Gurley will forward to parents. Also, you can contact with your cellphone carrier to talk about the international service plan. Third, if you use smart phones, you can download a free app called WeChat. This app allows you to send voice messages and text messages to each other as long as wifi is available.