2012 California nctaSummer Study Tour to

Chinaand Taiwan

The National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) invites alumni from 2001-2011* seminars in California to apply for the 2012 study tour to China and Taiwan.K-12 educatorswho have successfully completed an NCTA seminar coordinated by Stanford, UCLA, or USC are eligible to apply (*Please carefully review the eligibility criteria on page 2).

Selection for study tour participation is competitive. No more than 18 teachers will be selected. (See selection criteria on page 3 for details).

Led by Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute (USCI), participants of the three week tour will visit several of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan’s most interesting destinations. The tentative itinerary includes several destinations in China (Beijing, Pingyao, Xi’an, and Chongqing) and Taiwan (Taipei, Tainan).

China and Taiwan share many cultural traditions and complicated histories. The two operate under different political systems and have developed distinct societies. There is immense trade and other exchange across the political boundaries. We will be examining all of this as part of the study tour. In each place, our group will explore historical sites, discuss the contributions of each place and its peoples to Chinese culture, and examine changes in contemporary life.In some places our emphasis may be on ancient history or the transmission of philosophical or religious ideas, while in others we will focus on family life, education, health care, and economic development today. We will meet with a variety of people who will share their expertise, experiences, and views.

Applicants should be prepared for an experience that will be primarily a group tour, but will also includesome time for individual exploration. Accommodations will be double occupancy and will vary from university guesthouses to deluxe hotels.

Tentative tour dates are June 25toJuly 12, 2012. Airline pricing may require us to adjust those dates, but we will not leave earlier. Teachers selected for the 2012 California NCTA study tour are required to attend both a weekend orientation on April 13-14, 2012 and a follow-up weekend orientation onSeptember 15 to 16, 2012 at USC. Participants are also required to actively participate in astudy tour-focused online discussion forum and complete a curriculum project due August 31, 2012 (revision due September 28, 2012). In the following pages, we outline:

Study Tour Goals / Page 2
Eligibility Requirements / Page 2
Program Components / Pages2 - 3
Program Expenses / Page 3
Selection Criteria / Page 4
Timeline of Important 2010Dates / Page 4
Application Guidelines / Page 4
APPLICATION FORM / Pages 5 - 8
Participant Terms of Agreement / Page 8
Letter of Recommendation Form / Page 9

Please review the information included in this application form carefully. Additional study tour information will be posted in the “Asia in the K-12 Curriculum” section of the USCI website ( as it becomes available. For information about the program or application procedure, please contact:

USC U.S.-China Institute

(213) 740-1307 /

* Application Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 *

(Applications must be postmarked on or before this date)

Study Tour Goals

The 2012 California NCTA summer study tour is designed to provide teachers with an in-depth and experiential study of Chinese civilization and society. Through the summer study tour and follow-up activities in the 2012-2013 school year, participating educators will be prepared and supported inthe strengtheningof Chinese studies content in their schools and districts.

*Eligibility Requirements

You are invited to apply for the study tour if you meet ALL of the following prerequisites:

  • You successfully completed a National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) seminarconducted by Stanford, UCLA, or USC from 2001 to fall 2011
  • You have not participated in a previous NCTA summer study tour
  • You have reasonable assurances of employment in a K-12 classroom forthe 2012-2013 school year
  • You already include China in your teaching and want to include more about China and Taiwan
  • You are at least two years from retirementat the end of the 2012-2013 school year
  • You do not have extensive recent experience in Chinaor Taiwan
    (In general, preference is given to those who have not lived in or traveled to China or Taiwanin the past five years. Extensive experience in one of the destinations does not disqualify an applicant. Extensive experience in both does.)

Program Components

Educators applying for 2012 California NCTA summer study tour must commit to participate in a full year of activities, beginning online in March 2012 and running through the 2012-2013 school year. Participants are required to complete all pre-study tour readings. Teachers who cannot fully commit to all program components should not apply for the program. These include:

  1. Weekend orientation- April 14-15 at USC
    (Travel and lodging costs will be covered)

Upon selection, participants will be given access to the study tour-focused online discussion forum (like the “Asia in My Classroom” forum, it is located at Participants will utilize the forum to raise questions and exchange ideas. The weekend orientation will focus on preparing participants for travel and study in China and Taiwan. The program will include sessions on survival language skills, history and geography, contemporary issues, cross-cultural communication, study tour itinerary, team building, norm setting, as well as other practical travel information. At the orientation, participants will work with colleagues to brainstorm on curriculum development plans. Participants will receive background readings that are to be read prior to departure.

  1. Study tour inChinaand Taiwan- tentatively scheduled for June 25toJuly 12, 2012

NCTA cannot accommodate participants’ spouses, family members, or friends on the summer study tour. Participants may elect to stay in China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan beyond the tour if such variations from the group air package do not affect the group travel price. We will have more information on such options at the April weekend orientation.

  1. Weekend follow-uporientation - tentatively scheduled for September 15-16, 2012 at USC(Travel and lodging costs will be covered)

Participants will reflect on the tour and focus on how to most effectively share what they have learned with students and colleagues.Participants will present complete versions of the curriculum projectthey will have developedand will receive feedback from others on how these might be strengthened (complete versions due online Sept. final revised versions will be due on Sept. 28, 2012).

  1. Completion of curriculum project and 2012-2013 academic year follow-through - Including implementation of new China or Taiwan content and resources in the classroom in the form of completed curriculum project and providing at least four colleagues with curriculum support, through presentations at department, school, discipline, or district meetings.
  1. Active participation in the study tour-focused online discussion forum–beginning in March and extending through the 2012-2013 school year. This includes posting your curriculum materials and professional development resources.
  1. Participation in follow-up evaluations- NCTA will evaluate the impact of the study tours and school-year follow-up activities. Written surveys and random interviews will ask participants to describe how they have used the experience of the study tour to change their own teaching and influence school or district curriculum.

Program Expenses

The 2012California NCTA Summer Study Tour is possible througha generous grant from the Freeman Foundation. The following expenses are covered by the project for each participant:

  • Travel to and from Los Angeles, based on foundation parameters and actual costs, for the April 2012weekend orientation and September 2012weekend follow-uporientation, plus food and lodging during these two weekend programs
  • Orientation and other curricular and background materials
  • Roundtrip airfare to Chinaand Taiwanas part of a group travel package
  • Most meals, lodging, entrance fees, and domestic travel in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan

Each participant will contribute $1,000 to the cost of his/her participation in the NCTA Study Tour. Acceptance emails will be sent out on March 9, 2012. A signed statement of intent to participate and non-refundab1e deposit check of $400 will be due on March28, 2012. The remaining $600 will be paid in cash at the April weekend orientation meeting. Participant contributions will defray the cost of overseas travel (including hospitality and gratuities essential to group travel in East Asia).

In addition, each participant is responsible for any individual costs of participation, which are anticipated to include the following:

  • Passport fees and any other travel-related documents
  • Overseas medical coverage (required) and travel evacuation insurance (optional)
  • Physical exam and recommended immunizations
  • 4-8 meals during the trip (during “on your own” afternoons and evenings)
  • Any costs incurred by variation from the group airfare package, such as emergency return to the United States, return to the United States via alternate route or itinerary from the group package

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed and participants selected by a panel of California NCTA leaders. Preference will be given to educators who have not traveled in China and Taiwan in the past five years. The following criteria will guide selection:

  • Evidence of commitment to the goals of the NCTA through seminar participation andefforts to engage other faculty in teaching about East Asia, as well as to the study tour and follow-up activities described on the application
  • Demonstrated potential for classroom use and dissemination of study tour experience and materials to other faculty
  • Commitment to the parameters of a group study experience
  • Professional experience
  • Personal qualities and interpersonal skills

Timeline of Important 2012Dates
v

Feb. 16 / APPLICATION DEADLINE - applications must be postmarked on or before this date
March 9 / Acceptance email messages sent
March 28 / Deadline for receipt of signed statement of intent to participate and $400 non-refundable deposit check
April 14 / Remaining participant financial contribution ($600 cash), valid passport and two passport photos due
April 14-15 / Weekend orientation at USC
May 17 / All forms due (physician’s verification of fitness for travel in China and Taiwan and proof of overseas health coverage)
June 25 / Tentative date of departure
July 12 / Tentative date of return
Aug 31 / Curriculum unit due (complete), submitted via forum
September 15– 16 / Weekend follow-up orientation at USC
September 28 / Final version of curriculum project due, along with written plan to share experience and materials with colleagues

Application Guidelines

  • Applications must be postmarked on or before February 16, 2012to be considered.
  • Send FOUR (4) collated and stapled copies of the entire application package: 1) application form including signedParticipant Terms of Agreement page; 2) personal statementand
    3) recommendation form and letter to:

2012NCTA Summer Study Tour to China/Taiwan

USC U.S.-China Institute

3535 S. Figueroa St., FIG 202

Los Angeles, CA 90089-1262

  • Single copies, faxed copies and electronic copies of the application package will NOT be considered.

2012 California ncta Summer Study Tour to

Chinaand taiwan

APPLICATION FORM

* Application Deadline: Feb. 16, 2012 *

(Applications must be postmarked on or before this date)

1. Personal Information

Name
Home address / School address
Home phone / ( ) - / School phone / ( ) -
Home fax / ( ) - / School fax / ( ) -
E-mail address
Identify the NCTA seminar site, seminar leader and year in which you participated:

2. Teaching Assignment

Please briefly describe your teaching assignment (subjects, grade levels, etc.). Indicate any anticipated changes in your assignment for next year. Indicate other responsibilities.
How much time do you currently devote to teaching about China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan?

3. Academic Degree(s)

Degree / Year received / Major / Institution

3. Asia Coursework/ Programs

Other than your NCTA seminar, what formal coursework or professional development workshops, institutes, etc. on Asia have you completed?
Title / Location / Dates

4. Experience in Asia

Please describe any travel and/or living experiences in China or Taiwan.

5. Other Significant Foreign Travel / Study / Living Experiences

Location / Dates / Duration / Purpose

6. Personal Statement

On a separate sheet, please answer each of the following three questions. Each of the three answers should not exceed a single page. Statements exceeding the three-page space limitation will NOT be considered.
  1. Please describe how your NCTA seminar affected what you know and what you do with your students. Discuss any efforts to help other teachers increase East Asian content in their classes.
  2. This study tour requires that participants balance their individual interests with the program goals and itinerary. Study tour programs in China are physically and culturally demanding. Please make a case for your contributions as a member of this delegation. Describe the specific background, skills, and qualities you can contribute to benefit the group as well as the physical and cultural challenges of traveling in a foreign country (e.g. surviving hot, humid weather, walking extensively and using public transportation, adhering to a schedule that demands punctuality and group cooperation, fulfilling a professional role as an ambassador rather than as a tourist or shopper, and adhering to norms set by the group and by the program).
  3. Please provide a concrete plan for applying this study tour experience to enhance teaching about East Asia in your own classroom and in your school and district.

7. Recommendation

Please submit a professional recommendation from a supervisor or colleague familiar with your work. Complete and sign the Letter of Recommendation form on page 9 and submit with your recommender’s letter.

8. Participant Terms of Agreement

I have carefully read the description of the 2012California NCTA Study Tour to China and Taiwan. If selected to participate, I agree to:
•Participate in the pre-departure orientation and the online discussion forum, and complete assigned orientation readings.
•Assume responsibility and cost for obtaining all immunizations, passport, visas, and other required travel documents and submission by the deadlines listed above.
•Provide a nonrefundable $400 deposit check by March 28, 2012 and the remaining sum of $600 (cash) to the total participant contribution of $1,000 by April 14, 2012.
•Provide a physician’s verification of fitness for travel and proof of health insurance by May 17, 2012.
•Participate in all scheduled activities and remain in country until completion of the study tour, except in case of emergency.
•Attend the summer study tour unaccompanied by family or friends.
•Obey the laws of the United States and the host country and refrain from engaging in any unauthorized activities that, in judgment of the group leaders, are inconsistent with the purpose and best interests of NCTA.
•Upon return, enhance the study of China or Taiwan in my classroom and school district.
•Attend the follow-up workshop associated with the study tour.
•Complete a curriculum project that incorporates the study tour experience into my teaching by August 31, 2012.
•Participate in study tour-related program evaluations conducted by NCTA.
Applicant’s signature ______Date______

Application Guidelines

  • Applications must be postmarked on or before Feb. 16, 2012to be considered.
  • Send FOUR (4) collated and stapled copies of the entire application package: 1) application form including signedParticipant Terms of Agreement page; 2) personal statement and
    3) recommendation form and letter to:

2010 NCTA Summer Study Tour to China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan

USC U.S.-China Institute

3535 S. Figueroa St., FIG 202

Los Angeles, CA 90089-1262

  • Single copies, faxed copies and electronic copies of the application package will NOT be considered.

2012 California ncta Summer Study Tour to

China, hong kong, and taiwan

Letter of Recommendation

Having successfully completed a National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) seminar, ______is now applying to participate in the 2012 California NCTA Summer Study Tour to China and Taiwan. Participants are expected to revise, enrich and enhance their own course instruction relative to China and become resources on China within their schools and districts during the 2012-2013 school year.

Please address the applicant’s abilities to succeed in a group study tour abroad and to fulfill these obligations and responsibilities. Specifically, please comment on the applicant’s initiative, self-discipline, interpersonal skills, teaching abilities, professional leadership, and any other qualities you believe relevant to a review of this person’s candidacy for this program.

Please use school letterhead for your letter and limit it to a single typed page. Sign and date your letter and return it, along with this form, to the applicant. Thank you for your assistance in evaluating this applicant.

For any questions, please contact the USC U.S.-China Institute at (213) 740-1307 or .

Applicant’s Contact Information

Name
Position / title
School name / School phone / ( ) -
School address
Applicant’s signature ______Date______

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USC U.S.-CHINA INSTITUTE