INTENSIVE CHINESE LANGUAGE TUTORING - 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 who are 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 that will immerse you in Mandarin Chinese with a focus on conversation. The program is designed to accommodate any level of proficiency, from beginners seeking an accelerated first introduction to the language, to students seeking to major in Chinese at a 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 and overlooks the picturesque city of Dali, just minutes from the center of town. The 44 hours of classtime during each two-week session will 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.

One-on-One Private Instruction
Our expert staff have created private one-on-one tutoring classes for those students who want personalized instruction and tutoring to rapidly advance their proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. Each study day will include four hours of private instruction from the staff at Dali University, who are some of the most qualified educators of Chinese as a second language in the region. Rustic has worked together with Dali University to develop a relevant and refined curriculum for students of all levels. Though instruction will cover all areas of the language, students in this one-on-one intensive program can choose which areas of the language they would like to focus on. In addition to other daily activities, there will be ample opportunity for individual and group study time each evening.

Stay as Long as You Want
Come immerse yourself in one of the largest and most widely used languages in the world, while you live, work, and enjoy your time in the beautiful city of Dali. Located in the mountains of Yunnan Province, Dali is unequaled in its serene beauty and majestic culture. Since you can choose to study for two, four, six, or eight weeks, you have the opportunity to dive as deep as you want into the Chinese language and the Chinese way of life. The program we have developed in conjunction with the Dali Foreign Language School allows you to immerse yourself into the Chinese culture both in and out of the classroom, while at the same time leaving plenty of time to get out and discover the surrounding beauty and wonders of traditional Yunnan.

Your Home in China
The small “Old Town” of Dali is a picture-perfect image of China. The people and landscape have a unique beauty to them that is quickly disappearing in other parts of the country. Stepping out onto the cobbled streets in the morning, you will be 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. Turning around you’ll then face the beautiful crystal waters of Erhai Lake, whose shores hold the tales and lore of thousands of years of history within the little scattered villages and temples. The city of Dali, called ‘Old Town’ by the locals, is an ancient walled city that dates back more than 3,000 years. Its small pedestrian streets are lined with beautiful waterways and blossoming trees, providing a cool, tranquil backdrop to the laid-back atmosphere. The largest minority group in this region are the Bai people, whose colorful faces brighten the markets where they sell produce, clothing, and handicrafts. Hundreds of small cafes and shops are nestled in the traditional stone structures of the city, and there are endless opportunities to shop, meet new people, and explore the small streets of this magical place.

The Countryside
Outside the stone walls of Dali lie dozens of hidden wonders waiting to be discovered. Biking around the lake and exploring the small, untouched villages that line the shores of Erhai, you will experience what it was like to live and work around these mystical waters hundreds of years ago. Bright markets punctuate picturesque villages with their colorful wares. Joyful smiles brighten the streets. And 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? Inside the classroom you’ll benefit from professional, one-on-one language tutoring. Outside of class, you will find endless opportunities to immerse yourself in the true beauty and serene bliss of the people and places of Dali. For those who want to advance their language skills quickly and enjoy the Chinese culture, this is the perfect blend of experiences!

Your Language Development
To fully understand a foreign language, there is no substitute for immersing yourself into its foundations. Rustic Pathways provides you with this opportunity - study, learn, laugh, and live the Chinese lifestyle. Upon departing this magical place, you will find your heart and soul filled with the understanding of a new language, images of a beautiful city, and the smiling faces of the lasting friendships you made along the way. You will also have a new-found compassion for this ancient, diverse, and enchanting land of eternal spring. We look forward to welcoming you to China!

For more information e-mail us at china@rusticpathways.com

Day 1 – Tuesday
Location: San Francisco
After meeting and greeting your flight leader and the other students joining the Dali Language Programs, 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
Location: Dali
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. You’ll arrive into Dali in the evening and head up to Dali University to get settled into your new Chinese home. Dali University is located about a 10 minute walk from the city gates of Dali’s historic “Old Town” and you will be living in the newly completed traditional Chinese style Teahouse, but with all the Western necessities (Western toilets, bathtub and shower, full furnished beds, desk.) 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
Location: Dali
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 Old Town. 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
Location: Dali
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:

7:30am:
Breakfast is taken at the Teahouse and is often fruit, oatmeal, morning pastries, fried bread and/or cereal.

8:00am – 11:55 pm:
Each morning you will be in class for 4 hours (divided into 4 periods, which allow you ample time for a rest and a chance to get snacks or water.) 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 what group is right for you to study with. 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 8:00am.

12:15pm – 1:30pm:
Break for lunch. All meals will be taken together as a group, and students will eat in the Teahouse. All the lunches will be eaten with the staff, and the variety of traditional Chinese & local hill tribe dishes make up a fantastic array of foods to be enjoyed. Vegetarians need not worry, China is known for its savory vegetarian and tofu dishes. Also spiciness can be added or left out at request.

1:30pm – 2:30pm:
Since you get up so early in the morning, we give you an hour a day to take an afternoon Chinese nap, a common staple of the locals. If you aren’t tired, many students take the opportunity to hike to a nearby waterfall, stroll and read in the nearby flower garden or get together with three friends to play Mahjong or cards.

2:30pm – 7:00pm:
There will be a multitude of afternoon activities that will be offered for students attending this program. Some activities which students will be encouraged to partake in are:

Chinese calligraphy classes
Chinese kung-fu and Tai Chi lessons
Hop on a mountain bike to explore some of the small villages located around Old Dali city
Cormorant Fishing with Locals
Take a stroll down to Erhai Lake for an afternoon swim
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 often be taken in Old Town; however, sometimes we head to Xiaguan (New City), which stands in interesting contrast to Old Town. Possessing the feel of a modern city, we will go at least once to this area for dinner and to help students understand where China has come from (Old Town) and where it is headed (New Town.)

8:00pm- 10:00pm:
After dinner you will head back up to the Teahouse at Dali University and settle in for the night. Students are held to a high standard and teachers often give homework or expect you to be fully prepared for the next day’s class.

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
Location: Dali
Today is the last full day in Dali. Throughout your two-weeks here you will have completed 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.

Also, we often take these free days to pursue activities that take up more time than an afternoon. These activities often incorporate spending the previous night in a different guesthouse (all will have Western toilets) and then taking all of today to get through. In the past we have done the following:

For those who are on a water sport team back home, at least one staff member will swim across Erhai Lake with you (approximately 3 miles wide) and followed by a boat with Personal Flotation Devices.
Horseback Riding up the Mountain and a night stay up in the beautiful, lush woods
Take a boat ride out onto the Lake to get a better view of the countryside from out on the water
Hop on a Private bus to Natural hot Springs
Take a Private van to the other side of the lake for a night in a guesthouse, with a dock you can jump off of for a relaxing swim
Visit Shaxi, our Community Service program. Located 3 hours away, this little village is full of charm and good food. Just before falling asleep there, take candid shots of the school children and talk with the other Rustic students about their amazing experiences

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 schedules 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.