JSA Diplomat (Beijing, China) A Life-‐Changing, Global Experience Here’s what our parents, students and staff had to say about the 2010 JSA Diplomat Program … “China is really important to know about because our countries are so interdependent on economic and environmental issues. The experience of learning how to navigate in a foreign culture has been amazing. I definitely want to go into international affairs now.” -‐-‐ Boyd Wolking , JSA Diplomat Class of 2010 “China is a great place for young people to study. Beijing, in particular, as the national capital, is a modern, cosmopolitan city with all the American necessities like ATM machines, Starbucks, great public transportation, fabulous universities and museums, and genuinely wonderful people who are warm and welcoming to American students. Beijing is a very safe and friendly city. I should know. I’m a parent. I bring my kids with me to China often. China is a place that’s always welcomed us with open arms.” -‐-‐ Professor Elvira Hammond, Academic Director, JSA Diplomat “The best part of the JSA Diplomat Program has been the Chinese buddy program where we have met high school students from China. It’s been extraordinary because now I have friends in China. Also, the stereotype that I’ve always thought of as China was completely broken when my Chinese friends told me what modern China really is like.” -‐-‐ Adrian Gillem, JSA Diplomat Class of 2010 “The food is amazing! Learn the word for dumplings in Chinese and you’re set. I never used to eat vegetables before I came here to China, but now I do because Chinese food is insanely good!” Shane Batteler, JSA Diplomat Class of 2010 “Graduates of this extraordinary program are so much better prepared for college from living and studying in a residential college environment. They’ll also be more effective leaders in their professions now that they understand how different countries and cultures work. Watching our students learn to operate effectively in a foreign culture this past summer was truly exhilarating. Many of them had never traveled outside the U.S. before. In a few short weeks they learned to do things like how to bargain – in Chinese – for goods in the local market. That’s important training and builds confidence for their future when they may be at the negotiating table representing the United States on a trade deal. Preparing these American young leaders for future success in our global economy is what this program is all about.” -‐-‐ Dave Viotti, CEO Emeritus of JSA and Founder of JSA International
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
For over 75 years, JSA has empowered young people to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world. Our international programs prepare young leaders for college and provide them with the “21st Century skills” they need to be successful in our global economy. Those skills and competencies include knowledge of global economic and political processes, the ability to communicate and work well with others (especially across cultures), critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and innovation. Each summer, twenty-‐five young leaders from across the United States travel to Beijing, China, to learn about modern China and the art of diplomacy. Hosted on the campus of one of China’s premier universities, the JSA Diplomat program aims to provide America’s future leaders with the skills to represent their country effectively on global issues. During the month-‐long session, you can earn college credit in courses on Chinese history and language. You’ll also have a chance to develop leadership skills through interactions with Chinese and American officials on political, economic and social issues. Taking university-‐level classes in a residential environment will prepare you for success in college and having a depth of knowledge of China and Chinese language and culture will give you a leg up in whatever field you pursue, whether in business or government, law or international relations, or even engineering, the arts, and medicine. China is an exciting place. It’s the world’s fastest growing major economy. You’ll have a chance to see this economic engine in action in modern-‐day Beijing, host of the 2008 Summer Olympics, and site of some of the historical landmarks in the world. From trips to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the famous Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an, and many other historic sites, you’ll have a hands-‐on experience with a culture that dates back nearly 6,000 years. You’ll participate in a youth exchange with local Chinese high school students and in service-‐learning projects with non-‐profit organizations around Beijing. Through these experiences, you’ll sharpen your language skills and learn about youth culture and contemporary issues in China. Studying abroad isn’t just about learning a foreign language— It’s also about understanding the local culture. Whether learning calligraphy, practicing kung fu, or becoming an expert on the local neighborhood’s dumpling and noodle stands, you’ll learn how to navigate a new culture. You’ll make lifelong friendships along the way. “Simply interacting with Chinese people on a day-‐to-‐day basis forced me to learn and think in new ways. From purchasing fruit from a local vendor to giving the taxi driver simple directions, these interactions enabled me to engage with a new culture and learn things that I otherwise wouldn’t have learned. Studying abroad literally changed my life. I am confident it will do the same for you.” Elliott Nguyen, JSA Diplomat Staff This packet will provide you with the detailed information you need to prepare for your JSA Diplomat experience. If you have any questions, you and your parents should feel free to call Gena Rinaldi, Student Services Coordinator for the JSA Diplomat program at 1-‐800-‐334-‐5353 or contact her via email at grinaldi@jsa.org. Please note that enrollment for the JSA Diplomat Program is limited to 25 students. We expect that enrollment will for the 2011 JSA Diplomat program will close quickly given the success and popularity of last year’s program. A $500.00 non-‐refundable deposit must be paid within 10 business days of being accepted in order to secure your spot. Please see details in this orientation packet.
“This kind of program is really important, especially for high school kids. It gives them a chance to experience a whole new culture at an early age. This will prepare them well for professional careers in our global economy, especially those who want to go into diplomatic field.” -‐-‐ Ingrid Lombardo, Resident Director, JSA Diplomat program
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Academic Enrichment The JSA Diplomat program is provided in partnership with Washington, D.C.-‐based CET Academic Programs. CET has a long and distinguished history of running academically enriching study abroad programs (you can read more about their history and programs at www.cetacademicprograms.com). Institutions such as Duke University, Georgetown University, University of Chicago, Vanderbilt University, and Yale University have partnered with CET for their study abroad programs. While CET sends students around the world to countries such as Japan, Italy, Spain and Vietnam, their most well-‐established programs are in China. The JSA Diplomat program combines the academic and study abroad expertise of CET with the academic, public policy and leadership development expertise of JSA. You will enroll in two courses during your time in Beijing. The first course will focus on Modern Chinese History and Government since 1920. This course will give you a background on China’s history in the years immediately prior to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, China under Mao ZeDong, and China since Mao. Effective diplomacy requires an understanding of the power structures and sources of influence within a society. This course will introduce you to the political systems and structures in place in China today, as well as provide a basis for comparing U.S. and other Western democratic systems and for addressing major issues in U.S.-‐Chinese relations. This course will take place Monday through Friday, typically with two hours of class in the morning and field work in the afternoon. Since you’re traveling all the way to China, we don’t want you to be confined to the classroom in an academic “boot camp” atmosphere. This is a hands-‐on course, with frequent field work, including visits to historical sites and meetings with policy experts, NGOs and government officials. Your second course will focus on basic Chinese language/culture study, with special emphasis on day-‐to-‐day travel/survival Chinese. Classes will be taught by Chinese faculty members in small groups to give students individualized attention. These small groups will ensure that students have a thorough comprehension of what is being taught. Students typically have classroom language instruction for this class Monday through Friday for two hours each day. We take an experiential-‐learning approach to this course too. You’ll be given opportunities to practice your new language skills in fun and encouraging ways, from buying souvenirs at the Great Wall to arranging sightseeing events with your Chinese friends. In addition to the academic coursework, students will have program-‐organized activities with local high school students to practice language skills and promote cross-‐cultural communication. You’ll also learn to understand contemporary issues and further your language abilities through service-‐learning opportunities at local non-‐profit organizations around Beijing. You can apply for credit at your high school or intended college or university. We will assign letter grades for the courses that you complete while abroad. The total number of credits received will be based upon the requirements of your home institution. Class grades are based on midterm and final exam grades, quizzes, homework, attendance, preparation and class participation. For academic credit purposes, your contact hours (including field work) will be approximately 75 hours during the program. The JSA Diplomat Academic Director will provide syllabi that detail how these grades are determined.
JSA will distribute official copies of transcripts along with a letter certifying your enrollment in our program and a description of courses completed. Please note that JSA will not automatically forward your transcripts to you or your university. In order to have your transcripts sent upon completion of the program, you will need to contact JSA to request a transcript to be sent to you or the institution of your request.
Support and Supervision For first-‐timers and experienced travelers alike, the prospects of studying abroad may seem a little overwhelming. Parents and students alike can rest assured knowing that the JSA/CET partnership has over 100 years combined experience in providing high-‐quality educational programs in safe and secure environments. Our JSA Diplomat program has a strong track record of success. We are committed to ensuring the safety and success of our JSA Diplomats by staffing the program with caring, qualified individuals who are familiar with China and the specific requirements of running an elite educational program. Students will come to the JSA Diplomat Program with a number of needs. JSA Diplomat staff will support students academically, emotionally, socially, and culturally, beginning before they depart from the U.S. The JSA Diplomat Program will have a dedicated, full-‐time staff fulfilling a variety of supervisory functions to make certain that students excel in a safe environment. While you are enrolled in the JSA Diplomat Program, you will be expected to follow rules and regulations similar to those at other JSA Summer programs. These rules are designed to protect the safety of our students to promote a safe and supportive learning environment. Traveling to and throughout China is generally safe with regards to health, particularly in Beijing, which has a number of excellent international medical facilities with English speaking staff. JSA Diplomat staff will be available to provide support and advice to all of our students with regard to illness and to accompany students to a medical facility when needed.
The JSA Experience As in our other summer school and JSA convention programs, you’ll have an opportunity to engage in student debates, informal discussions and simulations, as well as meet with and question experts on China and U.S.-‐China relations. You will also have the opportunity to visit culturally significant locations in China, and meet with NGO’s and non-‐profit groups.
The College Experience
Similar to our other residential summer schools programs, the JSA Diplomat Program seeks to give students a full college experience. You’ll live in a university environment and receive instruction from college-‐level professors. You’ll learn how to manage your time and enhance your analytical and writing skills. Ultimately, you’ll gain the critical experience and confidence to be successful in college and in your professional life. You’ll be housed in the brand new state-‐of-‐the-‐art foreign students’ dormitory at Capital Normal University. It’s a modern facility located in the University district of Beijing. You’ll find that the accommodations are better than most American universities. Your roommate will be a fellow student of the same gender from our program (as with our other summer programs, we do our best to match students of similar backgrounds). Last year, none of the students arrived at orientation knowing any of the other JSA Diplomats, yet become fast friends with everyone. For many of our students, the friendships you make are what’s best about the program. “The best thing about JSA is the incredibly close friendships you make. This has been even heightened at JSA Diplomat because we’re a small, close-‐knit group, we’re in a foreign country, and we spend all of our time together.” -‐-‐ Claudia Lobenthal, JSA Diplomat Class of 2010
Cultural Immersion & Fun The JSA Diplomat Program helps you step outside your comfort zone and engage with Chinese culture on a day-‐to-‐day basis. China’s 6,000 year-‐old civilization is one of the oldest in the world. You’ll have a chance to visit several famous historical sites, including the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. At the conclusion of the program, you’ll have a solid understanding of the politics, language, culture, and history of China. The schedule also allows for plenty of free time for you to take advantage of recreational activities, shop, sample world-‐renowned Chinese cuisine, and many other social events. Best of all, the American and Chinese friends you’ll make will be part of your social and professional network for life.
Travel, Orientation, & Transportation to China
Traveling internationally can be an exciting and new experience for many people, including adults. In order to ease any travel anxiety and build a community among our students, each year we host an orientation session in San Francisco prior to departure for China. This is a great way for everyone to get to know each other. Plus, you’ll hear from experts on U.S.-‐China relations, participate in fun activities to teach you how to overcome “culture shock,” and make any last-‐ minute preparations prior to traveling to China. Students are expected to arrive in San Francisco by 5 p.m. on June 29th for this orientation session. Students will have pre-‐orientation on June 29th, stay overnight at a local hotel near the airport, and depart as group in the evening on June 30, 2011. Additional JSA Diplomat staff will meet the full group at the airport in Beijing and transport everyone to Beijing Capitol Normal University. You’ll participate in additional orientation activities for the first few days (including a welcome banquet) to help you get acclimated to your new environment. Classes start a few days later once everyone is accustomed to the time zone and familiar with our host University and surrounding environment. JSA Diplomats are currently scheduled to depart on June 30 from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and will be flying to Beijing International Airport (PEK). The 2011 JSA Diplomat class will travel as an entire group with JSA Diplomat staff. The cost of the roundtrip airline ticket between San Francisco and Beijing, China, and the orientation session in San Francisco (including hotel) is $1600. As we are traveling as a group on Air Canada/Star Alliance this year, all airline bookings for the flights to and from China are handled by JSA Diplomat staff. Students are expected to attend the orientation session in San Francisco and to travel with the group to Beijing. Exceptions to both of these conditions can be considered on a case-‐by-‐case basis. Please contact and speak directly with Gena Rinaldi, Student Services Coordinator for the Beijing Diplomat Program, at grinaldi@jsa.org or at 800-‐334-‐ 5353.
Who is Admitted and How to Apply The JSA Diplomat program is highly selective and limited to 25 students each year. The program is open to any current high school students and graduating seniors. You do not have to be a current member of a JSA high school chapter to apply. Although we don’t have a minimum GPA requirement, we are looking for individuals with a demonstrated track record of academic achievement (especially in history and social science courses). We also look for individuals with strong writing ability, a positive attitude, and the ability to work well with others. Evidence of leadership skills and the potential for further growth is also an important consideration. The purpose of the program is to introduce you to a new a culture and to give you an opportunity to develop skills to succeed in our global economy. Because of that, we do not expect that you’ve had any prior international travel, study abroad experiences or previous Chinese language training. In fact, many of our students have never traveled outside the U.S. Ultimately, we’re looking for positive, open-‐minded students, who can thrive in an exciting and new cultural environment.
The application process is simple and easy to complete: • For students who have never attended a JSA Summer School program (including JSA chapter members), we require: (1) a short essay; (2) a transcript from your high school; (3) a teacher recommendation; and (4) an interview with our JSA Diplomat program staff. You can apply on-‐line through the JSA Portal, at jsa.org/portal (there is also a link to the JSA Portal on the right hand column of each page on jsa.org). Once you’ve set up a free account and logged in, select “Apply – Summer School” on the Main Menu. Then select “JSA Diplomat Program, China” under First Choice Session. Then select “Register.” Then complete the requested information under each of the four tabs (Overview, Academics, Essay, Payment). For your essay, please answer the following in 250 words or less: “Why do you want to study in China?” Once you’ve completed the required fields, click update to process your application. Then, to schedule a phone interview, contact our Student Services Coordinator, Gena Rinaldi at grinaldi@jsa.org. • For students who have attended a prior JSA Summer School program and received a B grade or higher in their college-‐level government class, you just need to schedule an interview by contacting contact Gena Rinaldi at grinaldi@jsa.org. You will also need to register for the program via your JSA Portal account on jsa.org. You just need to select the JSA Diplomat Program as your First Choice Session under “Apply – Summer School” from the Main Menu and then click Register. You do not need to complete any of the other fields, because essays, transcripts and references are not required for returning JSA Summer School students (your application should be updated automatically to “complete” within a few business days). Acceptance and enrollment into the program is on a rolling admissions basis. Completed applications are generally processed within two business days. Because of the competitiveness of the program and the limit of 25 students in the program, we encourage interested students to apply as soon as possible. Once you’ve been accepted into the program, a valid passport and a Chinese visa are required to visit, study, and travel through the People’s Republic of China. If you do not currently have a valid passport, this should be a top priority as you prepare for the program. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months prior to your arrival in China. For precise directions on getting a passport, please visit the United States Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov/passport. Our JSA Diplomat staff can also give you guidance on the process.
Contact Information Students and parents should feel free to contact the JSA office with any questions they may have about the admissions, orientation, and pre-‐departure processes for the JSA Diplomat program. We also schedule periodic webinars where parents and students can learn more about the program and ask questions about the program. Please feel free to contact our Student Services Coordinator, Gena Rinaldi, for more information.
Mailing Address:
Lead Contact
The Junior State of America JSA Diplomat Program 800 South Claremont Street Suite 202 San Mateo, CA 94402
Gena Rinaldi
Phone: 1-‐800-‐334-‐5353 (650-‐347-‐1600) Fax: 650-‐347-‐7200 Email: grinaldi@jsa.org
TUITION AND PAYMENT Similar to the tuition for our other summer school programs, the pricing covers housing, meals, and textbooks at Capitol Normal University, the host institution for the JSA Diplomat Program. It also covers the costs of program-‐ sponsored cultural trips, including transportation, such as the visit to the Great Wall and Xi’an (or similar sites), as well as roundtrip bus transportation to/from Beijing International Airport to Capitol Normal University at the start and conclusion of the program. The cost of the JSA Diplomat Program is $5,000. This does not cover the cost of transportation to/from your home to the orientation session in San Francisco. Students should also bring enough money for incidentals, souvenirs, phone cards, and any other discretionary expenses the students may have. Students are required to submit a $500.00 non-‐refundable deposit within 10 business days of being accepted in order to maintain their spot in the program. Payment for transportation to Beijing is expected by March 18th, 2011, while the full tuition is due by April 18, 2011. Below is a suggested payment plan. You will not be billed on these dates unless you fill out a request for automatic billing. You may pay by check, money order, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. If paying by credit card, please complete the necessary information on the enclosed Tuition Payment Form. To make a credit card payment by phone, simply call the JSA office at (800) 317-‐9338.
Sample Payment Plan By December 18, 2010 $1500.00 By March 18, 2011 Airline Ticket Purchased $1600.00* By January 18, 2011 $1000.00 By April 18, 2011 $1500.00 By February 18, 2011 $1000.00 Total Tuition/ Airfare: $6,600.00 *This includes the orientation session and the flight to and from San Francisco to China only. You are responsible for your travel to and from San Francisco from home. JSA is a non-‐profit, charitable organization. We are committed to helping any of our students with financial need raise the funds they need to attend the program. While we cannot offer scholarships for the JSA Diplomat program due the high costs of for us to support an international program, we do provide significant advice and resources to help our students fundraise. Several of our students in last year’s JSA Diplomat class raised all or almost all of their tuition through community fundraising events, donations from friends and family, and scholarship programs like Rotary. JSA also hosts the JSA Fundraising Academy throughout the year. It’s a great resource to help students raise the portion of tuition not covered by family or scholarship donations. The JSA Fundraising Academy includes on-‐line tools and expert assistance from JSA staff.