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 it 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 immerses 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, overlooking the picturesque city of Dali, just minutes from the center of town. The 44 hours of classtime 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 a relevant and refined curriculum for students of all levels. You’ll be required to take a simple placement test before your arrival. This test will help us assess your ability level, get a basic idea of your strengths and weaknesses, and ensure that you will be properly matched with other students at the same level of learning. There will be approximately three class levels, ranging from complete beginner to advanced. You will be placed in a small group of approximately three to five students. You’ll receive four hours of instruction during each study day and will cover 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 historic city of Dali.

The City Where You'll Live
The city of Dali, called “Old Town” by those who live here, is an ancient walled city that dates back more than 3,000 years. 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. 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 that 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 from the mountains 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 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.