CHINESE LANGUAGE IMMERSION - China 2007 High School Summer Programs (800) 321-4353

Dali University is one of the most prestigious institutions in Yunnan province, and currently hosts over 500 international students from 15 countries studying Chinese as a foreign language at the undergraduate and graduate level. In cooperation with this respected school, Rustic Pathways has created a customized two-week program which immerses you in Mandarin Chinese with a focus on conversation. The program is designed to accommodate any level of proficiency, from beginners seeking an accellerated first introduction to the language, to students seeking to major in Chinese at University. This allows you to settle in and begin your studies at whatever level you find comfortable. The school itself is located in the foothills of the Jade mountains, overlooking the of the picturesque city of Dali, just minutes from the center of town. The 44 hours of class time during each two-week session provide you with the opportunity to truly embrace this amazing and intricate language, while at the same time having a great time with both your classmates and instructors in a beautiful, traditional Chinese setting.

Efficient Small Group Instruction
Rustic has worked together with Dali University to develop relevant and refined curriculum for students of all levels. Students studying in the Chinese Language Immersion program will be required to take a simple placement test before arrival. This test will help us assess each student's ability level, to get a basic idea of strengths and weaknesses and assure that they will be properly matched with other students at the same level of learning. There will be approximately 3 class levels, ranging from complete beginner to advanced. Students will be placed in small groups of approximately 3 to 5 students per group. Students will receive 4 hours of instruction each study day on campus at Dali University, covering several subjects with a strong focus on conversation.

Choose the Length of Your Stay
Our immersion programs allow you to plunge yourself into Chinese culture both in and out of the classroom. Your program can run two, four, six, or eight weeks, letting you choose how far you want to take your studies. This is a one of a kind opportunity to come to China and fully immerse yourself – living, studying, and exploring the beautiful historic city of Dali.

The City Where You Live
The city of Dali, called “Old Town” by those who live here, is an ancient walled city that dates back more than 3000 years. Stepping out onto the cobbled streets in the morning, you are surrounded on one side by the Jade Mountains, whose 12,000 foot snow capped peaks tower above this little city and stretch all the way into Tibet. Tucked on the other side lie the beautiful crystal waters of Erhai Lake, whose far shores hold thousands of years of history, tales, and beauty within the little scattered villages and temples. The small Old Town of Dali is a picture-perfect image of China, and both the people and landscape have a unique peace to them that is fast disappearing in other parts of the country. Dali’s small pedestrian streets are lined with beautiful waterways and blossoming trees which create a cool, shady backdrop to the laid-back atmosphere. Small cafes and shops nestled into the ancient stone structures provide endless opportunities to shop, make new friends, and explore the secrets of this tranquil and welcoming place.

Outside the Classroom
Outside the stone walls of Dali, dozens of hidden wonders wait to be discovered. Explore the exotic markets of the Yi people as they hike down to trade their goods and produce. Hiking and biking around the lake, discover the small untouched villages that line the shores of Erhai, and experience what it was like to live and fish these waters over a millennia ago. And naturally, what trip to China would be complete without a few visits to breathtaking temples nestled within the Jade peaks or tucked into the Erhai landscape? Outside the classroom you will find yourself endlessly captivated by the serene beauty and sincere welcome of the people and places of Dali.

The Skills You Take Home
There is no better way to learn a new language than to fully immerse yourself in its foundations. This program affords you the opportunity to study, learn, laugh, and live the Chinese lifestyle in the magical setting of Dali. Heading home you will not only have the memories of this magnificent place, the knowledge of a new language, and the friends made along the way - you will also have a new found compassion and understanding for this ancient, diverse, and untouched land of eternal spring. Welcome to Dali and the Rustic Pathways Chinese Language Programs!

For more information e-mail Jamie Spates at jamie@rusticpathways.com, or Bryan Haggerty at bryan@rusticpathways.com

Day 1 – Tuesday
San Francisco: After meeting and greeting your flight leader and the other students joining the Yunnan Explorer, we’re off to Hong Kong! This is an easy, non-stop ride across the Pacific – and most students find that after dinner and a movie, they’re able to manage dozing off to sleep for a while. So sit back, have a chat with your new friends, and enjoy the flight!

Day 2 – Wednesday
This day is ‘lost’ as you cross the International Date Line. But don’t worry– you’ll get it back when returning home!

Day 3 – Thursday
Arrive at Hong Kong International Airport, where you’ll meet your program leaders and have time for a long awaited stretch. You will have a few hours in the airport before connecting onwards. Next, we’ll grab our bags (preferably small and manageable!) and check-in for our connecting flight to Kunming. The flight takes about 1 ½ hours, and then you will be setting down in mainland China! Arriving into Kunming International Airport, you will meet up with the rest of the staff awaiting your arrival, and hop on a bus for the 4.5 hour ride up to the city of Dali, and Dali University. Once arriving into Dali in the evening, you will head up to Dali University to get settled into your home while studying here in China. Dali University is located about a 10 minute walk from the city gates of Old Dali, and you will be living in the newly completed western style guesthouse located within the University, know as the Teahouse. After dropping your bags off and washing up from the long flight, you will head into Dali for your first dinner in China! From here you will head back up to the Teahouse and rest up for the night – welcome to China!

Day 4 – Friday
Today is a day to get settled into your new environment. You will have some time to rest up from the day of travel from the USA, unpack and get settled into your rooms, and most importantly – explore the city of Dali. With its small pedestrian streets lines with cafés and market stalls, small streams and flowering trees, you will enjoy getting to know this beautiful corner of the globe before starting up your classes in the morning. Enjoy exploring Dali with your new friends and staff for the day, enjoy some great meals in the city, get oriented to the lovely mountain air, and get ready to start immersing yourself in your Mandarin classes early tomorrow.

Day 5 – Saturday through Day 13 – Tuesday
The schedule while here in Dali and at the University will be structured primarily the same for each day. Classes will be held in the mornings, and the daily study schedule will look like this:

7:00am: wake up for optional Tai Chi class which will be help on top of the Old City Walls. This will last 1 hour, and is a great way to start the day in Dali, watching the sun come up over Erhai Lake, with the Jade Mountain Range behind you.

8:00am: Breakfast

9:00am – 12:45pm: The first 3 hour-long sessions of class will be held at Dali University. Each session will have a 15 minute break between them. On the first day of class, there will be approximately a 1 hour orientation and survey to gauge your Mandarin proficiency, in order to determine the best starting point for your one-on-one classes for the Intensive Chinese Language Program. So classes will begin 1 hour later on this first day, and then for the remainder of the 2 week course, they will begin at 9:00am.

12:45pm – 1:45pm: Break for lunch. All meals will be taken together as a group, and students will eat in Dali at a variety of restaurants. All the meals will be eaten together as a group with the staff, and the variety of traditional Chinese & local hill tribe dishes make up a fantastic array of foods to be enjoyed.

2:00pm – 3:00pm: The fourth session of the day at Dali University.

3:00pm – 7:00pm: There will be a multitude of afternoon activities that will be offered in the afternoons for students attending this program. There are some optional activities which students can partake in, such as Chinese calligraphy classes, traditional Chinese painting classes, Chinese kung-fu lessons, and additional afternoon Tai Chi lessons. In addition to these, there will be afternoon outings to explore the surrounding countryside. You will have the opportunity to hop on a mountain bike to explore some of the small villages located around Old Dali city, bike down to Erhai lake for an afternoon swim, take a boat ride out onto the Lake to get a better view of the countryside from out on the water, and of course hop in for a dip, visit the local hill tribe markets on various afternoons coinciding with their lunar calendar schedule, hike up into the Jade Mountains to swim in the glacial pools, visit some of the mountain monasteries, and of course, time spent exploring the various markets and quiet streets of Old Dali city.

7:00pm-8:00pm: Dinner will be taken in Old Dali city.

8:00pm- 10:00pm: After dinner you will head back up to the Teahouse at Dali University and settle in for the night. There will be between 1 and 2 hours of Mandarin homework assigned each day, and during this time you will have a chance to work through your assignments with your classmates.

10:00pm – 11:30pm: The day comes to a close. You will be back in the teahouse, and will have finished up your homework assignments for the day. You are free to hang out with the other students inside the Teahouse, chat about the day’s activities, practice your ever-growing Mandarin proficiency, and enjoy wrapping up another day.

11:30pm: Lights out. It’s an early start each day, and you’ll be ready for a good night’s sleep!

Day 14 – Wednesday
Today is the last full day in Dali. You will have completed your 44 hours of class time the previous afternoon, and on this last day you have some free time to say good bye to your new found home. There’s time for some last minute shopping, beginning to pack up your things, spending one last day with your new friends, enjoying a few last meals of Chinese & local dishes, and wrapping up your time here in Yunnan Province.

Day 15 – Thursday
Today it’s an early start. After breakfast it’s time to pack up everything and get ready for the journey onward! At 8:30, you will hop on the bus and begin the 4.5 hour journey back down to the city of Kunming. Once arriving into Kunming, you will either be flying to Hong Kong to connect back to the USA, or connecting onto another Rustic Pathways program. Say goodbye to the friends you have made, the adventures you have had, and the country you have come to know – China!

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the scheduless of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.