Important Information for 2010 Summer Study Trip to
ThePeople’s Republic of China
1.Travel Documents
Passport and other required forms: All were due on April 14, 2010.
2.Required“Modern China” Summer School Course
a) Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 25, 2010 in Wo 204 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Your course textbook, “The Britannica Guide to Modern China” (ISBN 978-0-7624-3367-4)
may be purchased online from May 14, 2010 at will be available for pickup from the Punahou Bookstore on June 9, June 10 and June 14, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You may also wish to purchase the book on your own.
b)Instructor: Mr. Ben Haldeman, chaperone
3.Mandatory Orientation Session at Punahou School
a) Thursday, June 24 and Friday, June 25 in Wo 204 (second floor, Wo International Center) from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Lunch from 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Please bring your own lunch to enjoy outside the building.) The dress code for Punahou Summer School must be followed.
b)Coordinator: Mr. Ben Haldeman, chaperone
4.Introducing 2010China Trip Weblog
Before and during the trip, please check this weblog periodically for updates from the Wo Center and the chaperone:
For security reasons, please exercise discretion in sharing this web address with others.
5.Travel to China
a)Travel Itinerary
Please be at the Japan Airlines check-in counter by 9:05 a.m., threehours before departure. Due to heightened airport security, well wishers are not allowed to go beyond the security check points.
Depart HonoluluJune 29 (Tuesday)12:05 p.m.JO#73
Arrive Tokyo/NaritaJune 30 (Wednesday) 3:30 p.m.
Depart Tokyo/NaritaJune 30 (Wednesday) 6:15 p.m.JL#869
Arrive BeijingJune 30 (Wednesday) 9:15 p.m.
Depart Shanghai/PudongJuly 26 (Monday) 2:05 p.m. JL#876
Arrive Tokyo/NaritaJuly 26 (Monday) 6:00 p.m.
Depart Tokyo/NaritaJuly 26 (Monday) 7:40 p.m. JO#76
Arrive HonoluluJuly 26 (Monday) 8:10 a.m.
b)Study Itinerary:
June 30 – July 5Beijing stay
July 5Depart Beijing for Jishou on a hard sleeper train
Wo International Center
Important Info for China Study Trip
Page 1 of 8
July 6Arrive in Jishou, leave by bus for Baojing
July 6-20Community service and study program at Baojing Middle School
July 20Depart Baojing by bus for Zhangjiajie; travel to Shanghai on a hard sleeper train
July 21– 26Arrive in Shanghai on July 21 for program hosted by Gezhi High School
July 26Return to Honolulu, arriving on July 26, the same day
c)Contacts and addresses in China will be provided at the June 24-25 orientation.
d)Chaperones: Mr. Ben Haldeman, Academy English teacher and Mr. Michael Georgi, Academy Social Studies teacher, will be spokespersons for the group and responsible for academic and social guidance. They will also be the custodians of all passports, airline tickets, and copies of health insurance cards.
e)Five college students, all Punahou alumni, will be the language teachers during the two-week community service session. They will also help the chaperones in guiding the high school students.
6.Chinese Families and Teenage Partners
While you will not be staying with host families at length, you will be invited to visit Chinese homes, including a weekend stay with a host family in Shanghai. You will also have ample opportunities to interact with Chinese teenagers in Beijing, Baojing and Shanghai. It is recommended that you take along some gifts for such occasions.
a)It is recommended that an inexpensive "Hawaiian" gift (such as a T-shirt or anything with Hawaii on it) be taken to each host family (bring at least three). Several small gift items may be taken to give to individuals whom students befriend. See Punahou bookstore or the Alumni House for pins, pencils, playing cards, etc.
b)Students need to be courteous and follow all guidelines of the host family.
c)We recommend that some Hawaiian stationery or postcards be taken along to write thank you letters to the Chinese families and friends on the plane ride home.
7.General Guidelines for Conduct In China
a)Our visit to the PRC is by invitation. Our hosts will treat us graciously and will be eager to make this an unforgettable experience for us. Obviously, we should respond as appreciative, courteous guests and remember that we are representatives of the U.S. Their society is different from ours in many ways. They are very group-oriented and expect that group welfare will take precedence over individual wishes. Following directions is extremely important; therefore, self-discipline, punctuality, attentiveness and careful consideration of Chinese customs and expectations are essential.
b)Responsibility for the educational program, travel itinerary in China, placement with host families and all arrangements in China is delegated by the Wo International Center to our partner schools. Mr. Haldeman and Mr. Georgi, as chaperones, are the direct contact for solving any student problems, and it is expected of each participant to follow their directives.
c)Class attendance, field trips and extracurricular activities arranged by the program staff are compulsory and take precedence over any individual plans, and students will only be excused due to illness or emergency circumstances. Students will be evaluated on behavior and contributions to the group. Inappropriate behavior will have consequences.
d)The group must travel together to and from China and during field trips in the country.
e)Students who wish to leave the group during unscheduled times must: (1) do so in small groups, (2) obtain permission from one of the chaperones, and (3) indicate their destination and return to the hotel or dormitories, at the latest, by the time designated by the chaperones, unless specific permission for extension is given by one of the chaperones.
f)Visits to and by relatives in China, if any, should be limited to times and places where the scheduled program would not be disrupted. Individual trips are not permitted, unless approval has been obtained from one of the chaperones.
g)Smoking, drinking alcohol, visiting bars, and possession and consumption of narcotics, hallucinogens or other drugs are strictly prohibited. The use of any drug, including cigarettes and alcohol, violates school policy and is a serious offense, which may involve the early termination of the summer program, the early return to Hawaii at the parents’ expense and academic consequences.
h)The driving of automobiles, motorcycles and motorbikes by participants is not permitted. Any exception must be approved by one of the chaperones.
8.Insurance
Ordinary medical insurance for illness is not provided by the Wo Center, but most plans available in the U.S. will cover the student while abroad. Before going abroad, learn what medical services the student’s health insurance will cover outside of the United States. Some insurance policies require the student to call a number before receiving services. If so, please take the number along. We suggest the student take along the insurance policy identity card as proof of insurance and a small supply of health insurance claim forms, so doctors may fill in pertinent information at the time of treatment. If the student’s health insurance policy does not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs abroad, the Wo International Center urges that a temporary health policy that does provide this type of coverage be purchased. (Please contact the Wo Center office if information on this is needed.)
9.Personal Finances
a)Pocket money (for personal expenditures, souvenirs, snacks, pocket money, etc.) should be limited to a reasonable amount. We recommend a maximum of $500. Be sure to secure all valuables such as money, wallet, purse, watch, camera, etc.
b)Students will be given an opportunity to exchange a small amount of money (about $50) upon arrival in Beijing. Since we are going to do community service in Baojing, a poor area of China, students will not be allowed to shop until they get to Shanghai.
c)It is recommended that students carry a credit card, supplemented by U.S. traveler’s checks and a small amount of cash.
d)Traveler’s Checks: Students will not be able to cash traveler’s checks until they reach Shanghai. Remember to record the serial number, denomination and the date and location of the issuing bank or agency. Keep this information in a safe and separate place to enable quick replacements in the event traveler’s checks are lost. Keep track of the exchange rate.
e)Credit Cards: VISA credit cards or Plus System and Cirrus ATM cards are accepted in large stores in Shanghai. You may also wish to obtain cash using credit cards at western hotels. We
suggest that the student record the credit card number and keep it in a separate place from the card itself.
f)When shopping in Shanghai, we discourage “heavy” shopping or bulk purchases to avoid difficulties with airlines’ weight limitations rule and U.S.Customs. U.S. Customs currently allows each U.S. citizen to bring back no more than $800.00 worth of merchandise duty free.
g)Since this is truly a group immersion experience, we request that students not bring or purchase a cell phone in China. International phone cards for occasional phone calls and email access are readily available. Regular group postings on the weblog will also keep parents informed.
h)It is highly recommended you take a small suitcase, because each student must carry his/her own luggage when on tour within China and on the train. In addition to outside tags, include name, home address and destination address inside the bag. There is very limited space for luggage on the train and you must keep them near you to prevent theft.
i)The student is individually responsible for any overweight or excess baggage charges. Please avoid this problem by packing carefully.
10.Dietary or Health Restrictions
It is very important to keep your health at the highest possible level; you will all be very tired at times, and should use suggested rest periods for rest. However, it is almost inevitable that members of the group will at times not feel well. Illness or injury should be reported immediately to one of the chaperones. The school in Baojing has a health clinic that can handle minor illnesses. Treat colds, bronchial conditions, irregularities early and notify one of your chaperones if you need medical attention. They will, in turn, approach the Chinese staff. Do not drink public tap water, brush your teeth with tap water, or drink beverages with ice. Bottled water and soda are available for sale. Water provided by the schools is safe. We recommend you take a Nalgene bottle or the like for train rides and in the countryside.
Please inform the Wo International Center prior to departure if there are any restrictions on
activities or diet for health reasons. If any medication, vitamins, etc., need to be taken on a regular basis while abroad, this information should also be provided to the Wo Center office. Any medications being carried overseas should be left in their original containers, be clearly labeled, and packed in your hand-carry luggage. Please be sure to take sufficient supplies with you. Bring your own cold medications and any other aid for indigestion, etc. Check with your physician to be sure your immunizations are up to date.
11.Clothing/Luggage
a)The most important thing to remember is to travel light! The student will really need only a fraction of what he/she may think will be needed. Baggage allowance is limited to one checked suitcase per person and one carry-on. Only the items shown below are recommended.
b)The following interchangeable wash and wear items are recommended:
For All:shower zoris
several pairs of socks
1 bathing suit and towel
underwear
sleepwear
visor or hat
sunglasses and sunscreen
3-4 handkerchiefs or several small packets of Kleenex
travel alarm clock
toiletries (in small plastic containers)
camera (fairly inexpensive)
raingear
personal medicines in original containers
Wash ‘n Dri (several small packets)
journal, notebooks, pens and pencils
For Girls: 6 lightweight tops with short sleeves (nice T-shirts or blouses; nothing that reveals the back and shoulders, i.e., no spaghetti straps, strapless, or backless styles, please!)
3 pairs knee-length or longer walking shorts
1 cotton skirt
1 pair cotton slacks
1 nice outfit for special dinners and ceremonies (Aloha attire recommended)
1 sweatshirt or jacket
1 pair walking shoes
1 pair sandals
For Boys:6 lightweight shirts with short sleeves (nice T-shirts or sport shirts, including aloha shirts)
2 pairs long walking shorts
2 pairs cotton slacks
1 nice outfit for special dinners and ceremonies
1 sweatshirt or jacket
1 pair walking shoes
1 pair nice shoes or sandals
c)Take a musical instrument, if you play ukulele, guitar, etc.
d)A good English-Chinese dictionary, preferably small size (can be bought there inexpensively).
d)An under-clothing nylon money belt/purse is advised.
e)Jeans are not recommended since they take a long time to dry.
12.Weather
There is a strong likelihood that the weather will be hot, humid (and sometimes rainy) and dusty throughout the trip. These conditions influence not only what we are suggesting you wear, but it may also affect your disposition, i.e., how you react toward your hosts and to each other. The Chinese are quick to pick up the mood of a group, and we hope all of us will do our best to be at our best. It is important for us to be thoughtful and considerate of each other, to be supportive in times of stress, and generally to keep the group in good spirits.
13.Security
a)Do not bring or wear expensive jewelry on the trip.
b)Do not take expensive articles on the trip which are vulnerable to theft and loss.
14.Credits
a)Each student must keep a journal of experiences and reactions during the trip and will be
informed of specific topics required for the “Modern China” course. Mr. Haldeman and Mr. Georgi will check the journals occasionally for grading purposes. For those who live on Oahu, an evaluation discussion/final group meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 12, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. in Wo 204.
b)Punahou School will input on the transcripts of Punahou participants the equivalent of
one-half credit in Social Studies upon successful completion of the course and the study
tour. Notification confirming participation and completion of requirements will be sent to
other schools.
15.Other Information And Expectations
a)It is expected that all students receiving financial aid will write a thank you letter (with an attached essay/reflection of the experience) to the donor(s) designated by the Director of the Wo International Center. The thank you letter should be turned in to the Wo International Center office on or before the August 12thdebriefing.
b)Do not pick up “souvenirs” in hotels and dormitories, etc. Ashtrays, washcloths, etc. have to be accounted for, and it would leave a cloud over our group for someone to be thoughtless in this regard.
c)Buddy System: During free time, you must travel in groups. Have someone at the dormitory or hotel write its name and address in Chinese and carry it with you in case you get lost. Your chaperones will require you to check out and indicate your destination and time of return.
d)Punctuality: This is very important. Students are expected to be punctual for classes, meals, field trips, and for all extracurricular activities. While on the trip, it will be best if everyone makes a point to be at each designated meeting place 10 to 15 minutes ahead of the appointed hour so that announcements, roll taking, etc. can be made, and the staff and guides will not have to spend time and energy worrying about individuals.
e)Direct concerns, requests and suggestions to your chaperones, not directly to guides or the Chinese program staff.
f)Greeting: You will be greeted by applause at some places you visit. It is appropriate to return the applause immediately.
g)Final Comment: Our trip to China can be a tremendously exciting experience. It is a unique opportunity to be in such a country. While this trip has been carefully planned by our hosts, plans are often changed at the last minute. Please remain understanding, flexible, and polite.