SPCC is very excited to be able to once again host a “Dragon Tour” exchange trip to China. In 2019, we brought 37 SPHS students to Nanjing China for the experience of a lifetime. Jiangsu Education Services for International Exchange (JESIE) has invited us to once again bring a group of top South Pasadena students to their beautiful Jiangsu Province to truly experience Chinese culture, language and education. We are looking at bringing around 50 students this year.
Please note that SPCC is no longer accepting applications for the Dragon Tour 2024 Trip.
If you have been accepted to attend the Dragon Tour 2024, please click here to pay the nonrefundable $100 Registration Fee.
For questions, please email us at SPCC91030@gmail.com.
SPCC Dragon Tour 2024 Zoom Info Session – click on the YouTube video below to watch the recorded information session
TRIP DATES
The Dragon Tour is a 9 day trip with the itinerary including a flight out to Shanghai or Nanjing China on Saturday June 8th 2024 and returning Sunday June 16th 2024 – these dates are between the end of the school year and the start of SPHS summer school and thus have the least impact on students’ summer.
TRIP COST
Each student will need to pay a $100 Registration Fee once they are accepted to attend the Dragon Tour. Students will need a passport that is valid a full 6 months beyond June 16th 2024 and they will need a travel visa for China. The only other cost is general spending money to purchase souvenirs as they like or to purchase treats/snacks as they like. JESIE will cover the cost of travel, food, hotel, entrance tickets, and other needs. SPCC will provide travel hoodies and t shirts, and gifts that will be given out in China.
If you have been accepted to attend the Dragon Tour 2024, please click the button below to pay the nonrefundable $100 Registration Fee.
TRIP LOCATION
We do not have specifics yet but we will be going to Jiangsu, an Eastern coastal province of China north of Shanghai. The capital is Nanjing. Jiangsu is one of the leading provinces in finance, education, technology, research and tourism. They are very welcoming. Jiangsu is known for its stunning natural scenery and beautiful canals. One of their major cities, Suzhou, is renowned for its elaborate gardens. We will do one day in Shanghai for a cultural experience there as well one day in Suzhou.
ACTIVITIES
There will be a variety of cultural and language activities that will be organized by JESIE such as visits to textiles, gardens, teahouse, museums, temples etc. We will be paired up with a highly selected top school in the province. Our students will attend classes and activities at that school during part of this trip and also participate in homestay for a few days where they are paired up with the top selected students/families. This was such an amazing experience for students last time and a number of SPHS students are still in contact with their host family in China.
TRIP PREPARATION
We will host mandatory trip preparation sessions that will review important aspects of the trip, such as how to behave appropriately in China, money exchange, how to stay safe, etc. Very likely we will host SPMS students and parents at SPMS in the evening, and SPHS is likely to host these in-person during lunch to minimize impact on their after school demands. We will have one large meeting with the entire group and all parents at SPHS on a Saturday in early June just prior to the travel.
COMMUNICATION IN CHINA
All students and chaperones will be on a What’s App group together and can at any time ask for help or support on that app. Students will also be given my cell number directly should they need to call me in any emergency or with any immediate need. All students will be required to have a personal cell phone while in China. Parents will have an option to join a Parent What’s App Group if would like to receive group communication and pictures and short videos while we are in China.
APPLICATION
The Application to apply to attend the Dragon Tour trip with SPCC is NOW CLOSED. All applications will be reviewed and emails will go out to accepted students and their parents. Once a student is accepted, the Registration Fee will need to be paid.
For questions, please email us at SPCC91030@gmail.com.
SPMS STUDENTS – WHO MAY APPLY?
If your student is in the Dual Immersion Mandarin Program at SPMS they may apply to participate in the Dragon Tour. We will also accept applications from SPMS students taking Mandarin language classes (at SPMS or elsewhere) OR who speak Mandarin OR who are connected to the SPCC Board.
SPHS STUDENTS – WHO MAY APPLY?
We are expecting a large number of interested students, thus priority will be given to students who are in Mandarin language classes (at SPHS or elsewhere) OR who have taken a Mandarin language class even if not currently in one OR who speak Mandarin OR are part of any of the AAPI ASB Clubs on campus OR have volunteered for SPCC or are otherwise connected to SPCC in some manner. If none of the above apply to you but you are passionate about culture and language, we still welcome you to apply. We are aiming to take as many students as possible.
PRIVATE QUESTION?
If you have a personal or sensitive question that would not be appropriate or comfortable to ask via Zoom, please feel free to email us directly at SPCC91030@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE – we will not be responding to questions where the answer is already covered here so make sure to read everything thoroughly and attend the Zoom Info Session.
Please see slideshow below for photos from the SPCC Dragon Tour 2019. (Note that the datestamp on the photos are incorrect; the photos are from the Dragon Tour 2019.)
You will receive an email after your application has been reviewed. Please only pay the NONREFUNDABLE registration fee below AFTER you receive an email confirmation of your acceptance into the Dragon Tour 2024.
If you have been accepted into the Dragon Tour 2024, please pay the nonrefundable $100 Registration Fee below.
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