Description

China-Tibet Cultural History Program is a 35 day tour that begins in Shanghai and ends in Lhasa. It is a completely unique approach to university study abroad. It combines a tour of major cultural and historical sites in China and Tibet with intense academic study of the culture and history being experienced.

This program is based on many years of experience with Asian Cultural History programs. Thus, the faculty and staff have a great deal of experience traveling in China and Tibet. It's an ideal learning environment because it integrates reading and writing with direct involvement to give a richer understanding of the subject than book learning alone could possibly provide.

The China-Tibet Cultural History Program is first and foremost an academic program. Students are required to enroll in 6 hours of credit and to complete all course requirements. Because we follow an extensive travel itinerary, instructional delivery is different from the pattern of fixed class time and standard contact hours of campus courses.

On this program, class sessions are usually scheduled around or during the program activities that take up most of the day: visits to museums, monuments and temples, historic sites, governmental institutions, etc. Thus, in a sense most of the waking hours of each day are contact hours because students are actively engaged in some aspect of their academic work.

The faculty are careful to balance the program activities described in the itinerary with sufficient time for students to reflect on and discuss the significance of what they have seen and experienced. And because the faculty travel with the group and are always available, meaningful discussions often take place during routine activities such as meals, walking from one site to the next, waiting for trains, etc. Course assignments are also aimed at organizing students and experiences. The faculty allows sufficient time for the completion of most course requirements on the tour. Because of the full itinerary and the academic requirements, there is relatively little free time on this program.

Highlights

The emphasis is on culture..
Our programs are designed to involve you in varied cultural experiences in key cultural centers. We allow some time in major cultural capitals to enable you to explore for yourself the cultural environment of these great cities. Guided museum tours are included in the tour price.

You get college credit..
This tour carries six semester hours of EMU credit. Non-EMU students may transfer credit to their home institution. Non-EMU students should consult with their advisor in order to comply with their institution's policies and procedures regarding transfer credit.

Our staff is top quality..
All faculty members on the tour hold Ph.D.s or MFAs from leading universities. The faculty consists of widely traveled university professors of history, political science and art.

We're Experienced..
During the last 30 years, our staff has conducted more than 140 successful tours to Western and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, Russia, Israel, Egypt and Asia. In planning its itineraries, we rely on our staff's thorough knowledge of European history and culture acquired through extensive travel and study.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Subject Areas

• Art/fine Arts
• History
• Political Science/politics

Cost in US$:

USD 4,490 (EMU students receive a discount)

Program Fees Include:

Includes:

* All rail, bus, air transportation between cities.
* Field trips and excursions by train, chartered bus or boat.
* Tickets to all cultural events arranged by the program.
* Entrance tickets to museums and sites visited by the program.
* International Student Identity Card.
* Rooms based on multiple occupancy.
* Many breakfasts and one meal in every major city.
* Couchettes when possible on overnight trains.
* Hotel service charges and local taxes.

Items not included:

* Tuition for 6 undergraduate semester hours.
* Air transportation from the U.S. to Shanghai and return from Lhasa (approximately USD 1,700). The program might provide an optional flight package from the U.S. to Shanghai and return from Lhasa which each student may purchase.
* Most meals and all drinks
* Street car, bus, subway fares, and taxis within cities to cultural events, museums, sites, etc.
* Baggage fees.
* Passports, textbooks, laundry, independent travel and expenses of a purely personal nature.
* China visa (approximately USD 150).

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Other

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 10-15

Scholarships are Available

The Emanuel Fenz Cultural History Program Scholarship for EMU students The Cultural History Programs were developed by EMU's Dr. Emanuel G. Fenz more than 30 years ago. A scholarship in memory of Dr. Fenz's achievement in education has been made available to provide financial assistance to qualified EMU students. This scholarship is offered to participants in EMU's Cultural History Programs and Adventures Abroad Programs. These unique study abroad programs allow students to earn up to 12 credit hours in history, art and literature while seeing the major cities and sites of Europe. The scholarship may be awarded to more than one student, but is non-renewable. The scholarship is open to EMU students of any major who have sophomore, junior or senior status at the start of the program. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

Two weeks

Eastern Michigan University's Mission Statement

Eastern Michigan University is committed to excellence in teaching, the extension of knowledge through basic and applied research, and creative and artistic expression. Eastern Michigan University offers a variety of study abroad programs including Cultural History Tours, travel and study tours, direct exchanges, intensive language and winter break programs. Most programs are open to students from any college or university. EMU students can apply financial aid awards toward the programs. We also provide advising and information about study abroad opportunities available through other universities, work or volunteer opportunities abroad and budget travel.

Year Founded

1849