Weplore China 2011 Brochure by Jose Feliciano

WEXPLORE CHINA 2011

Invitation Letter Dear students and teachers, We would like to offer you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That is what we expect WEXPLORE China to be – an unrivalled learning experience, providing equal proportions of adventure, fun, an insight into international relations, language studies, history and cultural interaction. Not to mention the personal skills that can be gained from working with students from across the world and challenging yourself in a new and unfamiliar country. ‘New and unfamiliar’ definitely describes China. The World’s fastest growing economy is sometimes so new that a 15 years old picture is unrecognisable nowadays and last month’s road map may already be out of date! Contrastingly, another way to describe China would be ‘traditional’. In one of the oldest civilisations you will catch glimpses of the past as well as experiencing current practices that can be traced back thousands of years. This huge and diverse country cannot easily be defined, but one word that every visitor would agree on would be ‘fascinating’. We want you to experience as many aspects of fascinating China as possible, and this was our motivation for carefully selecting the programmes in 2011. • Beijing - 8 days discovering one of the World’s greatest cities • Shanghai and Xi’an - 6 days in the dynamic city of Shanghai, and Xi’an, the ancient capital of China • The Silk Road - a 12 day journey along the legendary trading route • Hainan - 5 days in south China’s tropical island paradise • WEMUNC 2011 - The 4th WE Model United Nations Conference, Beijing The WEMUNC (WE Model United Nations Conference) has matured over the past 4 years to become a truly international conference. We are honoured to invite you to a Model UN which now brings over 2000 delegates from around the world to participate in 4 days of dynamic cross-cultural exchange, team work, diplomacy and debating. This conference never fails to build strong new friendships between its delegates and helps to nurture the global leaders of tomorrow. We have designed the WEXPLORE study tours to be unique, providing experiences that you cannot normally get from a visit to China. An example of this is the WEXPLORE Field Research in Beijing where students will discover the city in teams and undertake their own research on a key contemporary topic. There are dozens more exciting and unique features that we have included and we encourage you to read through this brochure to fully understand our excitement about the programmes we are offering in 2011! Finally, for us the most important thing about our programmes are the people who join, and what we are most excited about is welcoming you to China next year. We hope to see you soon! Sincerely,

Board of WE Model United Nations conference & Director of WEXPLORE China

02 Invitation Letter

Contents Why WEXPLORE China?

Why WEXPLORE?

Why China?

The Programmes

WEMUNC

Beijing

Shanghai & Xiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;an

The Silk Road

Hainan

Programme Packages and Dates

Fees and Deadlines

Contact

WEXPLORE

CHINA

Table of Contents 03

Why WEXPLORE?

Personal Skills and Education

company or organisation, and to prove

• Learn about China. WEXPLORE aims

that we make our prices and costs com-

to teach students about the history,

WEXPLORE China develops personal

pletely transparent. We will be willing to

philosophy, culture, politics and

skills which are crucial to your future

answer any queries that you may have

the economy of China

and valued by employers. In addition to

about the pricing of each programme

• Actively learn about the United Na-

personal skill development, our pro-

tions and international relations at

grammes focus on other aspects of edu-

WEMUNC

cation such as economics, history, art

We are Specialists

and religion, giving an accurate view of

• Gain school credits. Depending on your region and school, the WEX-

life in China today. We also believe that

We do not offer programmes in any

PLORE China programmes may be

inter-cultural relations are an extremely

other country, we specialise in China!

officially accredited and taking part

important part of education, and we

This results in a unique experience

may allow you to gain credits towards

design our programmes, particularly

where you will feel much closer to the

your curriculum. Please contact us if

WEMUNC, with this in mind

local people and culture than on any

you require further details

other expedition or tour. You will get the chance to genuinely interact and make

Safety First

friends with Chinese students, and visit

Our Team

places that require local knowledge and We take safety seriously. All of our pro-

connections. We believe that this results

The WEXPLORE China team is made up

grammes are tried and tested and we

in a more rewarding learning experience

of highly qualified, passionate people

will not lead students anywhere that has

from around the world. We have vast in-

not already been checked by our staff. In this way we give a sense of adventure,

ternational experience in expeditions,

Enrich Your CV/Resume

with the assurance of safety

travel as well as working abroad, and among the members of our manage-

• Gain transferable skills that are vi-

ment team we are fluent in around 10

tal for your future career or entrance

languages! We have worked extremely

to University. The WEXPLORE China

hard to give you the kind of internation-

Programme can teach communica-

al experience that we have been lucky

We have an extensive network and ex-

tion, team-work, leadership, man-

enough to have

pertise within China allowing us to offer

agement skills and inter-cultural

more for less. We believe that we can

understanding

Best Value

not be matched for value by any other

04 Why WEXPLORE China?

• Learn the Chinese Language

Why China?

Facts and Figures Quoted from McKinsey Global Institute

• Over the next 20 years, Chinese cities will add more than 350 million people ... the population of the entire United States • There will be more than 200 Chinese cities with more than a million inhabitants ... in Europe today there are only 35 cities of that size • There will be up to 50,000 new skyscrapers ... the equivalent of building ten New York cities • There could be up to 170 new mass transit systems ... in Europe today there are about 70 • By 2025, two-thirds of China’s citizens will live in cities ... that’s nearly 1 billion people

A Different World

sic, language, food and way of life!

urban and rural life and between the upper and lower classes, the blooming of

China will challenge your world view. A civilisation with over 5000 years of recorded history, a closed society for many

entrepreneurship, art, music and leisure

Economic and Social Development

years, language and culture barely un-

activities as well as the destruction of tradition to move forward at an astounding pace. Witnessing this change is so

derstood by outsiders - learning about

Now is the time to visit China. The

impressive that in the years to come you

China is fascinating and exciting

country has brushed off the global re-

will be continually telling stories about

cession as if it was a small flea, and the

“when I was in China…”

economy continues to boom. This is

The Richness of the Culture

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness China changing right before your

China is a nation of 56 ethnic groups,

eyes. You will witness dramatic social

each of which have their own dress, mu-

changes, the huge disparity between

Three weeks may not suffice to get to know the whole country but it’s enough to dive into an incredible culture and breathtaking landscape. WEXPLORE China program gave us the possibility to be immersed in another way of life and I will never forget about the awesome time I had in China. From Michele Dappen, Kantonsschule Zug, Switzerland WEXPLORE CHINA 2010 Participant

Why WEXPLORE China? 05

WEMUN EXPO Conference 2011

The WE Model United Nations Conference (WEMUNC), established in 2007 and taking place in Beijing, was one of the very first Model United Nations Conferences in China. In its third year it already welcomed students from 30 different countries in 35 different committees, and with over 2000 delegates has now grown to become the largest Model UN in Asia. The WEMUN conference is an academic simulation of the United Nations with the objective of seeking solutions to various problems of the world through discussion, negotiation and debate. The research and preparation that is required, the opportunity for debating and negotiating and adopting views or attitudes other than their own and the involvement and interaction with young people from all around the world combine to provide an intensive learning platform for personal development as well as world issues and diplomacy.

Who will attend?

What will I be doing?

Learning Outcomes

• Over 2000 delegates from all over

• You will assume the role of a foreign

• Learn invaluable communication

the world between the ages of 14 -

diplomat, not necessarily from your

skills - public speaking, negotia-

tion, debating

home country

• Top MUN conferences in the world

• You will be assigned to a committee

• Understand the United Nations -

will have their satellite conferences

which will discuss two or three topics

the most important body in interna-

on WEMUN EXPO Platform: BosMUN

during the conference

tional relations

by Boston University, BMUN by U.C

• Examples of committees could be

Berkeley, HMUN hosted by Harvard

Human Rights Council,

University, ILMUNC by University of

Bank, UNICEF, Sino-US Think Tank

Pennsylvania, MUNUC by University

etc.

of Chicago, NAIMUN by Georgetown University etc. THIMUN by THIMUN Foundation

06 The Programmes

World

• Learn research skills while preparing for the sessions • Understand how to effectively work as a team to complete a project • Learn how to interact with people from all around the world

Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon sent the following message to WEMUNC: “This exercise is no empty role play. Half the world’s population is under 25. You are their representatives. Many of you will move on to positions of real leadership. All of you, by your choices as consumers, by your decisions as voters, will assume real power to shape and change our world. Hopefully your time at this Model United Nations will help you become the models the world needs to fulfill the ideals of this indispensable organization.”

Duration: 4 Days (4th - 7th August ) Price School application fee per delegation (at least 7 students): USD: 200; EUR: 170; GBP: 150 Participation fee* (per person): USD: 450; EUR: 383; GBP: 340 *If participant is an individual, not coming as part of a delegation, the fee is USD 470

The Programmes 07

WEXPLORE Beijing: Where Tradition Meets Modernity China’s capital, and the country’s political, cultural and educational centre is one of the most exciting cities in the world. If China is a country of contrasts, then Beijing is its perfect microcosm. Traditional alleyways called Hutongs lie in stark contrast with sprawling boulevards and highways, while ancient architecture sits next to giant postmodern creations. One thing is certain, Beijing has a buzz - artists, writers, musicians, entrepreneurs and expats increasingly appear to live alongside the traditions of a 2000 year old city. These multiple personalities in addition to stunning historical sites make sure that Beijing’s visitors are intrigued, entertained and constantly in awe.

It was not a regular tour but a tour where we had think, innovate and analyze. From Rohan Shah, The Calorx School, India WEXPLORE China 2010 participant

Highlights

Learning Outcomes

• WEXPLORE Field Research - One of

• Team-working, leadership and re-

our most challenging activities – plan

search skills during the WEXPLORE

your route around Beijing in teams

Field Research and the Great Beijing

to discover the city and Chinese cul-

Race

ture in-depth. Stretch your leader-

• Chinese Language and Calligraphy

ship, team-work and planning skills

• Cultural awareness - meeting and

to the maximum as your team tries

talking with local people and work-

to undercover the reality behind your

ing with international students dur-

chosen topic (for example: economic

ing team activities. • Chinese contemporary issues - visit

development) • Great Wall of China - Camp at the

village to learn about rural/urban dif-

foot of the wall and have a campfire

ferences and income disparity. Learn

at the nearby village before hiking

about topics such as economic de-

along the Wall!

velopment, Chinese art, religion

• The Great Beijing Race - compete

and education during the WEX-

in teams and use your Chinese lan-

tions • Tiananmen

Square,

Forbidden

Duration 8 Days Price USD: 1260; EUR: 1071; GBP: 952 Dates Round 1: 15th - 22nd Jul. 2011

City, the Olympic Village and the

Round 2: 21st - 28th Jul. 2011

Traditional Hutongs - discover the

Round 3: 27th Jul. - 3rd Aug. 2011

extraordinary history of Beijing

Round 4: 8th - 15th Aug. 2011

08 The Programmes

05:30 - Wake up before dawn and pack up you tent after camping at the foot of the Great Wall 06:00 - Climb to the Wall as the sun rises over one of the most memorable views of your life. Hike along the Wall, passing through 12 ancient guard towers. 11:00 - Have a local home-cooked brunch at the nearby farmhouse before taking the bus back to the city. 14:00 - Visit a tea house to learn about different Chinese teas while taking part in a tea ceremony

PLORE Field Research.

guage skills to race around the city, completing tasks at different loca-

Example Agenda: Beijing day 4

17:00 - Watch an extraordinary performance of Chinese acrobatics 19:00 - Dinner: the local delicacy of Peking Duck 20:00

- Chinese Language Class

WEXPLORE Shanghai & Xi’an

Shanghai: The Pulse Quickens

out the city, which could be called a “liv-

Learning Outcomes

ing history book”. It is also the starting • Understand the economic develop-

Shanghai is not like Beijing, in fact, Chi-

point of the silk road, which led to the

na’s largest megalopolis is not like any-

inevitable consequence of having a mix-

where. One commonly used adjective

ture of different cultures, religions and

• Understand the history of trade

of the atmosphere in Shanghai is “pul-

food. One of the greatest archaeological

with China - Shanghai as the colonial

sating”. A city that, since the economic

finds was also in Xi’an – the incredible

trading hub, and Xi’an as the silk road

reforms, gathered the collective energy

army of Terra-cotta Warriors.

starting point

ment of China

of its 20M+ residents to shake off every

• Compare modern developments

speck of its colonial, imperial and com-

in China with the past to understand

munist past, Shanghai has never looked

Highlights

the way China is heading in the future

back even for a second – because in this city there isn’t a second to lose. Surrounded by old canal towns known as

• Boat Trip Around the Bund - the most spectacular views in Shanghai

the “Venice(s)” of China, Shanghai is an

• Visit to a Factory - A glimpse into

island of commerce, finance, trade and

how a joint venture is run in China

an un-matched energy that gives a con-

• Trip to One of the most beautiful Ca-

stant feeling of opportunity to anyone who lives there.

nal Towns Near Shanghai • Terra-cotta Warriors - One of China’s most impressive attractions • Cycling on the Ancient City Wall -

Xi’an*: The Ancient Capital

Duration 6 Days Price USD: 1100; EUR: 935; GBP: 830 Shanghai or Xi’an only is USD 720/ Euro 630 /GBP 560

Dates

Round 1: 29th Jul- 3rd Aug 2011

Round 2: Shanghai/Xi’an, 8th - 10th Jul. 2011 * Xi’an is also included at the begining/ end of the Silk Road tour

the largest and best preserved city wall in China

China’s most historic city, Xi’an, was the political centre for more than 12 dynas-

• Visit to the Muslim District and the Mosque in Xi’an

ties, and evidence can be found through-

The Programmes 09

WEXPLORE The Silk Road: The Meeting of Civilisations The very name of the legendary trade route connecting China with the West arouses the senses. It conjures visions of camels winding through arid desert, burdened with the treasures of the Orient mixed with the riches of western civilisation – pearls, gold, musk, jewels, satin and silk. You can almost smell exotic spices, perfumes and hear the bartering at the bustling oasis towns, filled with strange travellers from all over the continent and beyond. The importance of this link between east and west, however, goes far beyond legends, romanticism, and the trade of luxury goods. Over thousands of years many different people, cultures and religions lived in harmony along the silk road, happily sharing their food, art, music and philosophy. The effects of this melting pot of culture and unique chapter in history can still be discovered in China today.

Highlights of the Silk Road • Visit the crystal clear Tianshan Lake • Visit the ancient Buddhist City of Jiaohe, the elegant Emin Minaret, and witness the crossing of religions at Turpan, an oasis town on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert • Discover the largest repository of ancient Buddhist art at Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. • Ride camels through towering sand dunes and camp in the desert. • Climb the Western end of the Great Wall of China at Jiayuguan. • Witness life in a Tibetan Village and one of the largest Buddhist temples in Xining. • End the journey in Xi’an, visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and cycle around the city walls. (same as Xi’an trip below) • Put together your own video documentary that you have been working on throughout the trip

Make your own Silk Road documentary We designed the WEXPLORE Silk Road trip to be an exciting and interactive learning experience, and what better way to learn than being the director of your very own documentary movie! You will be provided with a camera-man during the journey, and you will act as a film crew making a documentary about the Silk Road. You can choose which topics to focus on, such as trade, religion, food, economic development or any other aspect of culture. You will edit the documentary and present it at the end of the trip!

10 The Programmes

Learning Outcomes

unique

Duration 12 Days

• Learn Chinese language interactively • Learn team work skills while making a documentary video

in a challenging environment

Price

USD: 2300; EUR: 1955; GBP: 1737

• Understand how different cultures

• Understand the history and impor-

and religions mixed in the past com-

Dates

Round 1: 23rd Jul.- 3rd Aug. 2011

tance of the Silk Road, and the effect

pared to modern China and discover

Round 2: 8th - 19th Aug. 2011

it had on China and the West

how people managed to live harmo-

• Understand the cultural differenc-

niously

es between China’s various ethnic

• Learn about the major religions and

groups, and experience the diver-

their followers, historically and today

sity which makes western China so

The Programmes 11

WEXPLORE Hainan: Tropical Haven The Island of Hainan, with its palm-fringed smooth sandy beaches, fresh coconuts and grilled seafood is China’s truly tropical paradise. For years considered a backwater to banish poorly performing government officers, the Island has escaped the rampant development of nearby Guangdong Province, accordingly preserving its traditional ways of life and the cleanliness of its waters. Although still predominantly an Island of farmers and rural villages, there have been many recent developments in the tourism industry, with luxury hotel complexes sprouting up along the beautiful coastline in Sanya.

Highlights

Duration 5 Days

• Experience rural China - Help with

Price

USD: 850; EUR: 722; GBP: 642

farm work and home-stay with locals • Volunteer in a rural school - Teach a

Dates

Round 1: 30 Jul.- 3 Aug. 2011

Round 2: 8th - 12th Aug. 2011

class to the local children • Beach - Sip a coconut, relax in the sun, or try water sports at China’s best beaches

Learning Outcomes • Understand rural Life in China – Almost 60% of the population live in ru-

Round 3: 11th - 15th Aug. 2011

Example Agenda: Hainan days 3 and 4 07:00 - Get up early for a breakfast before helping the farmer pick rice from his fields. 12:00 - grab some lunch, before heading to the school in the afternoon to be a volunteer teacher. 14.:00 school.

- Run an English class at the

18:00 - Relax in the evening, and say goodbye to the children at the village as it is your last night. 07:00 - Get up early again the next morning to head to the tropical paradise of Sanya.

ral areas, this is crucial to understanding the economic and social issues in China today • Learn how to farm in tropical climates, with crops like pepper, coconuts, bananas and rubber trees • Learn how to teach in a local school

12 The Programmes

12:00 - You spend the day lounging on the beach or swimming, taking a well deserved rest. 18:00 - In the evening you go for a luxurious seafood dinner at the unique seafood market 19:00 - As the sun sets on Sanya you reflect on all the amazing people you have met and remarkable things you have done on your trip to China.

Programme Packages and Dates

Month Day

Beijing

Shanghai

Xi’an

Silk Road

Hainan

Jul 15

Day Month 15 Jul

18 19 20

Jul 15 Jul 22

18 19 20

23 24 25

Jul 21 Jul 28

24 26

Jul 23 Aug 03

27 28 30

Jul 31 Aug 01

Jul 27 Aug 03

Jul 29 Jul 31

02 03

27 28

Jul 30 Aug 03

06 07

Aug 08 Aug 10

09 10

WEMUN Conference 2011

01 Aug

31 Jul

04 06

Aug 08 Aug 10

Aug 08 Aug 15

Aug 08 Aug 12 Aug 08 Aug 19

14 15

08 09 11 12

Aug 11 Aug 15

13 14 15 16

Aug 19

October (Midautumn Break) Packages 1 week package: Beijing or Shanghai + Xi’an. 2 weeks package: Silk Route, or Beijing + Shanghai + Xi’an. Programmes can start between 10th and 22nd October 2011.

Month Day

All programmes take place between 15th July and 19th August 2011.

29 30

Aug 01 Aug 03

As displayed on the diagram, most combinations of programmes are available, and the same programme may have different dates to choose from.

July & August Packages

Easter/Spring Break Packages We can create custom packages depending on your holiday dates. Contact us for more details.

19 Aug Beijing

Shanghai

Xi’an

Silk Road

Hainan

Day Month

Programme Packages and Dates 13

Programme Fees

Included in Price: • All travel within China (flights,

RMB

USD

EURO

GPB

3,060

450

383

340

Beijing+Conference

11,628

1,710

1,454

1,292

Beijing, Shanghai+Conference

16,524

2,430

2,066

1,836

Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an+ Conference

19,108

2,810

2,389

2,123

Beijing+Hainan+Conference

17,408

2,560

2,176

1,934

Beijing, Xi'an+Conference

16,524

2,430

2,066

1,836

Silk Road+Conference

18,700

2,750

2,338

2,078

Beijing+Silk Road+Conference

27,268

4,010

3,409

3,030

Silk Road+Conference+Hainan

23,800

3,500

2,975

2,644

Conference

Conference+Hainan

8,840

1,300

1,105

982

270

trains, buses etc) • Accommodation (3/4 Star hotels, camping, etc.) • Breakfast, lunch and dinner + bottled water • All activities (inc. Chinese classes, entry fees etc) • Basic healthcare insurance • Advice and support before the trip

Not Included in Price: • International flights from your home country • China Visa application fees • Travel Insurance (for property,

Airport pick up & send off

* Conference fees are USD 20 more for individuals not coming with a delegation/school ^ A one-off fee of USD 200 should be paid by schools who wish to register for the conference

Above are the suggested packages, but customized service can be provided, contact us for further information

cancellations and serious accidents) • Inoculations (we suggest you consult your local doctor for details) • Bank transfer fee for payments

Registration and Payment Deadlines Registration • REGISTER AT http://www.wemunc.org/wexplorechina • REGISTRATION FEE: $200* per person *Registration fee to be paid in advance by each person attending the programme, it is non-refundable but will be deducted from the overall cost.

Payment Deadlines For 2011 • DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION FEE: 30th March 2011* • DEADLINE FOR REMAINING PAYMENT: 30th May 2011 • REFUND DEADLINE: July 1st 2011 (no refund will be given to any group or participant if they do not inform WEXPLORE before this date of their intention to withdraw from the programme) *Places on WEXPLORE China 2011 are limited, we recommend participants to pay the registration fee early to secure their places. If you pay the registration fee before 31st, Dec 2010, we will offer you free airport pickup/drop-off, guarantee a place on the program and a good country assignment for the WEMUN EXPO Conference

14 Fees and Deadlines

Contact Us Weland International Room 2802, Shangdu International, No.8 Dongdaqiao Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing, China Tel: +86 1058701599 Fax: +86 1058701560 www.wemunc.org/wexplorechina

Yichan Yuan

Sara Enstedt

Board of WEMUN Conference & Director of WEXPLORE China

Vice Director of WEXPLORE China & European/Middle East Regional Manager

Email: Tel: Mobile: Fax:

Email: Tel: Mobile: Mobile:

yichan.yuan@wemunc.org +86 10 5870 1599 +86 1348 869 6159 +86 10 5870 1560

sara.enstedt@wemunc.org +86 10 5870 1599 +41 764 887 273 (Swiss) +86 1369 118 1492 (China)

Josh Rennie

Jose Feliciano

Stepan Plokhotnov

UK & Ireland Regional Manager

Latin America Regional Manager

Russian Regional Manager

Email: Tel: Mobile: Mobile:

Email: Tel: Mobile:

josh.rennie@wemunc.org +86 10 5870 1599 +44 776 1301 754 (UK) +86 1343 635 9374 (China)

jose.feliciano@wemunc.org +86 10 5870 1599 +511 991 271 221 (Peru) +86 1531 173 3905 (China)

stepan.plokhotnov@wemunc.org

+86 10 5870 1599 +7 913 969 3838 (Russia)

Contact 15

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