SIGHTSEERS
Student Ambassadors Travel Worldwide
by Randy Karr

Over the past 50 years, thousands of Michigan students have traveled worldwide as Student Ambassadors, fulfilling President Dwight D. Eisenhower's vision of creating peace, one friendship at a time.

People to People, Student Ambassador programs provide international educational opportunities for elementary, middle and high school students. Through their journeys, students connect directly with the culture and heritage of other countries by combining hands-on cultural experiences with behind-the-scenes access to people and places. In the process, they form lasting friendships with students in other parts of the world.

"There are so many things I value from this program," wrote one student from Michigan's Thumb. "Most importantly is having a chance to learn about other countries. By experiencing first hand other cultures, you realize everyone is a lot more alike than not."

Another student wrote, "I got a chance to experience a totally new culture. The places I saw were always just pictures in a textbook. I gained so much knowledge as an ambassador. I began to recognize my true values and became thankful for my freedom."

One student summed it up this way. "Being a Student Ambassador is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. I met the best people in the whole world. This was the best thing I've ever done!"

On July 5, 2006, I'll be leaving for the People's Republic of China with another delegation of Michigan Student Ambassadors. After departing the United States and crossing the International Dateline, we'll arrive in Hong Kong in time to catch our final flight to Beijing.

The following daily excerpts from our Gateways to China program will give you an idea of the types of activities and learning opportunities available to Student Ambassadors. Though itinerary details will vary, all People to People programs in Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa and North America offer comparable experiences.

Friday, July 7 Beijing: Upon arriving in Beijing, you will meet your People to People delegation manager. En route to your hotel, your delegation manager will brief you on all that waits on your Gateways to China program! You will be introduced to Beijing with a guided orientation around Tiananmen Square. With its imposing gate, Tiananmen Square is the largest open public square in the world and gives entry to the Imperial City and the Old Forbidden City.

Saturday, July 8 Beijing: In the morning, you will attend a vocational school and learn some basic skills in preparing Chinese cuisine. Learn hands on how to make typical Chinese dishes and taste test your final product. Today, you will discover the Forbidden City. Built during 1406-1420 AD, it is the world's largest and best-preserved Imperial Palace. This evening's activities include a performance at the Peking Acrobatic Show, where you will witness an intricate display of traditional Chinese music, pantomime, dance and acrobatics.

Sunday, July 9 Beijing: This morning, you will visit a sports school, which is the cradle of several world champions. You will also have a chance to learn Ping Pong. Ping Pong is very popular here and was an integral part of the friendship between China and the U.S. in the 1970s. After a sportsmen's lunch, share a rickshaw with one of your fellow ambassadors and navigate through the narrow residential streets of old Beijing, also known as Hutong. On the way, drop in and get to know a local family as they tell you about their urban life.

Monday, July 10 Beijing: Depart this morning to the Great Wall of China. En route to the Great Wall, you will visit a cloisonne factory and watch the making of this traditional Chinese enamelware. Later, you will have the unique experience to learn Chinese Kung Fu at the training school and meet with the local students. In the evening, your delegation will be honored at a banquet where you will be served Peking duck, a traditional Northern Chinese delicacy.

Tuesday, July 11 Beijing: Today your journey will take you to the Summer Palace, an immense imperial garden dotted with Qing architecture and then explore the largest zoo in China, the Beijing Zoo. Next, participate in a ceramic crafts workshop in the afternoon where you will have a chance to try pottery making. Dinner is planned at KFC. After dinner, take an overnight train to Xi'an.

Wednesday, July 12 8 Xi'an: Once you arrive in Xi'an this morning, you will attend a Welcome Ceremony presented in the ancient Tang dynasty style. You will also have some time to see the city wall of Xi'an, which is the only large city in China still surrounded by a complete city wall system. After a buffet lunch in the hotel, you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and then enjoy a Tang Dynasty show and dumpling banquet.

Thursday, July 13 Xi'an: Xi'an's history unfolds before you today as you discover the famous Terracotta Warriors, an 8000 man army in battle-ready formation, each warrior a life-size figure in pottery made over 2200 years ago. Before seeing the original warriors, you will also have a chance to visit a workshop that duplicates the warriors, and then learn the technique. Upon returning to the city, you will visit the Stone Steles Forest, the former Confucius Temple. Dinner this evening is at the local McDonald's.

Friday, July 14 Donghan Village: This morning, you will drive to nearby Donghan village, where a village official will welcome you and introduce you to Donghan through a guided orientation. Your delegation will then be taken to farmers' homes where you will eat lunch with the families. Later, you will go to an artist workshop and learn about Chinese painting and paper cutting. This evening socialize with local students at a gathering in the village.

Saturday, July 15 Donghan Village: Experience life on a traditional farm and learn how to do simple farm work. Later this morning, you will sit down in the meeting hall of the village with local students and help them practice their English. After lunch, board your flight to Shanghai. Once in Shanghai, explore China's largest and most cosmopolitan city and see the influence of 19th Century European trading companies and their massive European style buildings along the Bund.

Sunday, July 16 Shanghai: Your discovery of the city starts with the Jade Buddha Temple. Built in the beginning of the 20th Century, this is one of the few Buddhist temples in Shanghai. Walk along the Bund, a wide boulevard paralleling the Huangpu River, known as the Wall Street of the Orient. A visit to the City Construction Museum will give you a clear picture of the past, present and future of the city. You will also have a chance to walk into a local silk reeling factory and see the works of local workers. Spend this afternoon with the "Neighborhood Committee," an organization that overlooks all local activities within the local neighborhoods. Learn about local government, various residential activities and programs, childcare issues, retirement, and kindergarten programs in the community and then spend time with a host family. After sunset, enjoy an evening cruise on the Huangpu River.

Monday, July 17 Suzhou: Depart for Suzhou, known as the Venice of the East, and explore the Net Master's Garden before lunch. In the afternoon, you will have a chance to go to a local gym and learn another popular sport in China, Badminton. Enjoy a dinner of Zongzi, which is a pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice, wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, and traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Tuesday, July 18 Suzhou: This morning, a cruise on the Grand Canal will take you along narrow canals. Discover the Silk Embroidery Institute where you will find some of the most accomplished silk embroideries in China. In the afternoon, the Suzhou Foreign Language School is waiting for your arrival, where you will meet with local students and have the opportunity to make new friends. Return to Shanghai in late afternoon.

Wednesday, July 19 Hong Kong: Leave Shanghai for your flight to Hong Kong. After an early dinner, you will have a chance to stroll along the Star Boulevard and see a stunning, night view of Hong Kong.

Thursday, July 20 Hong Kong: Start your exploration of Hong Kong with a morning cruise of Victoria Harbor. In the afternoon, you will get a panoramic view of the city from Victoria Peak and a look into the westernized style of Stanley Market. A short cruise in a junk boat at the Aberdeen Fishing Village will show you another side of the lives in the bustling city. Afterwards, you will have some time to explore the local flower market.

Friday, July 21 Hong Kong: Board coach for return flight to the United States.

Students interested in applying to become 2007 Student Ambassadors can learn more about People to People programs at www.studentambassadors.org.

© 2006 Randy Karr