Program Directed by
Sylvie Littledale
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
China
From the Forbidden City to the Tibetan Plateau
Travel abroad to China this summer and immerse yourself in the Mandarin language and China’s diverse cultural landscapes. On this language program for high school students, take out-of-the-classroom Mandarin classes in Beijing and explore the historic hutong neighborhoods. Immerse yourself in community life with local families at the foot of the Great Wall and travel west to learn about panda and ecological conservation directly from park rangers in Chengdu. Explore the Tibetan Plateau and end your program learning about sustainable urban design in the diverse metropolis of Shanghai.
- Highlights
• Take immersive Mandarin classes as you explore historic Beijing
• Shadow a park ranger and support conservation in Giant Panda National Park
• Learn about efforts in sustainable economics from a Tibetan village to Shanghai
• Explore the diversity of Chinese cuisine, tasting dishes from over six regions
• Shadow a park ranger and support conservation in Giant Panda National Park
• Learn about efforts in sustainable economics from a Tibetan village to Shanghai
• Explore the diversity of Chinese cuisine, tasting dishes from over six regions
“The planning, design, and execution of the program exceeded our expectations. I think our daughter will remain lifelong friends with her homestay siblings. We are greatly appreciative of that.”
—Alyssa & David C., Allison Park, PA
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in Los Angeles, and fly together to Beijing, China. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Beijing — 8 days
Explore Beijing’s ancient hutong alleyways and modern skyscrapers. Venture out into the city on foot to take in Beijing’s history, from its founding by Kublai Khan 800 years ago to its role as host of the 2008 Olympics. Each morning, take immersive Chinese classes and during afternoons use your Mandarin to connect with local people in different parts of the city. Study calligraphy or learn how to cook classic Beijing dishes. See an acrobatic show or listen to musicians play traditional tunes in the city’s numerous parks. Venture into the surrounding area of the capital city and connect with local families. Spend days immersed in community life and engage with local high school students to learn what a day in the life of a Chinese student is like.
Chengdu — 7 days
Catch a plane to Chengdu, and get to know this fascinating, beautiful, and laidback city in Southwestern China. Practice your Mandarin in the city’s famous teahouses, and learn from a local chef how to recreate some of Sichuan cuisine’s signature spicy dishes. Get to know the young students, musicians, and artists who make Chengdu a major hub of contemporary Chinese youth culture. Travel from the city to the Giant Panda National Park and shadow a park ranger to learn firsthand and participate in the wildlife habitat conservation.
Western Sichuan — 3 days
Drive west into the foothills of the Tibetan plateau. Hike along craggy mountain peaks and into majestic Tibetan villages nestled into green valleys. Stand on suspension bridges and admire the rushing Dadu River below. Explore the stone towers of Danba dating back centuries. Participate in a design course to learn about sustainable economics and how local communities are developing trades that utilize local resources and markets.
Shanghai — 3 days
Head to Shanghai for the last leg of the program. Explore the city’s iconic neighborhoods, from the Bund to the former French Concession, to the ultra-modern district of Pudong. Interview shopkeepers and local students about life in Shanghai.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Shanghai to Los Angeles with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in Los Angeles, and fly together to Beijing, China. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Beijing — 8 days
Explore Beijing’s ancient hutong alleyways and modern skyscrapers. Venture out into the city on foot to take in Beijing’s history, from its founding by Kublai Khan 800 years ago to its role as host of the 2008 Olympics. Each morning, take immersive Chinese classes and during afternoons use your Mandarin to connect with local people in different parts of the city. Study calligraphy or learn how to cook classic Beijing dishes. See an acrobatic show or listen to musicians play traditional tunes in the city’s numerous parks. Venture into the surrounding area of the capital city and connect with local families. Spend days immersed in community life and engage with local high school students to learn what a day in the life of a Chinese student is like.
Chengdu — 7 days
Catch a plane to Chengdu, and get to know this fascinating, beautiful, and laidback city in Southwestern China. Practice your Mandarin in the city’s famous teahouses, and learn from a local chef how to recreate some of Sichuan cuisine’s signature spicy dishes. Get to know the young students, musicians, and artists who make Chengdu a major hub of contemporary Chinese youth culture. Travel from the city to the Giant Panda National Park and shadow a park ranger to learn firsthand and participate in the wildlife habitat conservation.
Western Sichuan — 3 days
Drive west into the foothills of the Tibetan plateau. Hike along craggy mountain peaks and into majestic Tibetan villages nestled into green valleys. Stand on suspension bridges and admire the rushing Dadu River below. Explore the stone towers of Danba dating back centuries. Participate in a design course to learn about sustainable economics and how local communities are developing trades that utilize local resources and markets.
Shanghai — 3 days
Head to Shanghai for the last leg of the program. Explore the city’s iconic neighborhoods, from the Bund to the former French Concession, to the ultra-modern district of Pudong. Interview shopkeepers and local students about life in Shanghai.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Shanghai to Los Angeles with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Language Learning
The goals of this language program are to improve your fluency in Mandarin by building your vocabulary and confidence in speaking, while exploring China’s culture through outdoor activities and interactions with locals. Each day, leaders hold dynamic conversational language lessons designed to help you let go of your inhibitions and communicate more easily. Language lessons are fun and interactive, and incorporate active, hands-on elements such as scavenger hunts, games, and informal interviews.
Language Pledge
Two years of language study are required for this program. Each student signs a language pledge to speak only Mandarin during the program, not only with the many local people you meet, but also with your leaders and within your group. To learn more about our Language programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you— study different styles of Chinese calligraphy, make a photo journal about Tibetan architecture, or learn several cooking recipes from your host family.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active travel program that involves some hiking, horseback riding, and city walking. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in a range of different accommodations throughout the program, including hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and private homes.
Altitude
This program visits high altitude destinations—Most of the excursion into Western Sichuan is over 8,000 feet (~2450 meters) in altitude, and some moderate hikes reach elevations as high as 10,000 feet (~3000 meters).
Meals
Meals will be taken in restaurants or family homes.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Language Learning
The goals of this language program are to improve your fluency in Mandarin by building your vocabulary and confidence in speaking, while exploring China’s culture through outdoor activities and interactions with locals. Each day, leaders hold dynamic conversational language lessons designed to help you let go of your inhibitions and communicate more easily. Language lessons are fun and interactive, and incorporate active, hands-on elements such as scavenger hunts, games, and informal interviews.
Language Pledge
Two years of language study are required for this program. Each student signs a language pledge to speak only Mandarin during the program, not only with the many local people you meet, but also with your leaders and within your group. To learn more about our Language programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you— study different styles of Chinese calligraphy, make a photo journal about Tibetan architecture, or learn several cooking recipes from your host family.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active travel program that involves some hiking, horseback riding, and city walking. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in a range of different accommodations throughout the program, including hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and private homes.
Altitude
This program visits high altitude destinations—Most of the excursion into Western Sichuan is over 8,000 feet (~2450 meters) in altitude, and some moderate hikes reach elevations as high as 10,000 feet (~3000 meters).
Meals
Meals will be taken in restaurants or family homes.
A Day in the Life: Beijing
Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Beijing.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations
9:00am
Meet with local language teachers for an interactive Mandarin lesson in the market
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Eat lunch at a traditional restaurant serving Northern cuisine
1:00pm
Join local high school students for a scavenger hunt through Beijing’s hutongs
- Evening
6:00pm
Try Mongolian Hot Pot for dinner with your group
9:00pm
End the day with a group nightly meeting
A Day in the Life:
Beijing
Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Beijing.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations
9:00am
Meet with local language teachers for an interactive Mandarin lesson in the market
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Eat lunch at a traditional restaurant serving Northern cuisine
1:00pm
Join local high school students for a scavenger hunt through Beijing’s hutongs
- Evening
6:00pm
Try Mongolian Hot Pot for dinner with your group
9:00pm
End the day with a group nightly meeting
“She gained more confidence in herself, gained very close friendships, became less nervous about speaking a second language, and learned so much about traveling in a group. The program gave her a great sense of accomplishment.”
—Shaun & Alexandra A., Boston, MA
Program Directed by
Sylvie Littledale
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
