2019 Ensworth China Program
| Travel Dates: | July 9, 2019 - July 22, 2019 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Deadline(s): | Interested travelers should enroll by March 15, 2019 |
Important Reminders
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What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 9 | Plane | Today we'll depart the US and fly to Beijing | Plane |
| July 10 | Beijing | After crossing the international dateline, we'll arrive at Beijing International Airport in the evening. We'll settle into our accommodations in one of Beijing's oldest hutong alleyway neighborhoods dating back to the Ming dynasty. We'll have our first dinner together, hold our intro orientation meeting, and rest up for our upcoming adventure! | Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn |
| July 11 | Beijing | We'll begin our morning bright and early with a hutong photo scavenger hunt, exploring our neighborhood and soaking up Beijing's unique culture. We'll make our way to the Drum & Bell Tower Square for a demonstration of how time was kept by beating drums ancient times. We'll then hope on the subway heading towards Qianmen, the old front gate of the city wall. We'll then walk through tour Tiananmen Square, and reflect on the past and current significance of the events that took place there. Eventually, we'll make our way to the Forbidden City, the Chinese Imperial Palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Time allowing, we'll check out the emperor's impressive collection of elaborate mechanized clocks from all over the world at the Hall of Clocks. After a busy day, we'll spend the late afternoon in Jingshan park for sweeping views of the Forbidden City from above. After a dumpling feast for dinner, we'll pack up and prepare for departure to Zhengzhou tomorrow. | Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn |
| July 12 | Beijing-Zhengzhou | Today we'll have breakfast in Beijing and then hop on the highspeed train to Zhengzhou, Henan. Upon arrival in Zhengzhou, we'll settle into our accommodations, take a peek at nearby People's Park, and potentially have an orientation meeting at UUFL. | Guangzhou Hotel or alternative |
| July 13 | Zhengzhou | Global Citizenship Collaborative Project with students UUFL (Day 1 of 3), additional/supplemental activities include: Henan Provincial Museum, Exploring Night Market at Erqi, Structured Solo Time in People's Park | Guangzhou Hotel or alternative |
| July 14 | Zhengzhou | Global Citizenship Collaborative Project with students UUFL (Day 2 of 3), additional/supplemental activities include: Henan Provincial Museum, Exploring Night Market at Erqi, Structured Solo Time in People's Park | Guangzhou Hotel or alternative |
| July 15 | Zhengzhou | Global Citizenship Collaborative Project with students UUFL (Day 3 of 3), additional/supplemental activities include: Henan Provincial Museum, Exploring Night Market at Erqi, Structured Solo Time in People's Park | Guangzhou Hotel or alternative |
| July 16 | Shaolin/Songshan | Kungfu training session and/or Mandarin classes. Sample Academy Summer Schedule: 6-7AM Morning exercise, 7:30-8AM Breakfast, 8:30-10:30AM Morning training, 11:30-12PM Lunch, 3:30-5:30PM Afternoon training, 6-7PM Dinner, 8-10PM Night exercise. Additional activities during freetime include visiting the historic Shaolin Temple & hiking Mount Song. | Shaolin Temple Kungfu Academy |
| July 17 | Shaolin/Songshan | Kungfu training session and/or Mandarin classes. Sample Academy Summer Schedule: 6-7AM Morning exercise, 7:30-8AM Breakfast, 8:30-10:30AM Morning training, 11:30-12PM Lunch, 3:30-5:30PM Afternoon training, 6-7PM Dinner, 8-10PM Night exercise. Additional activities during freetime include visiting the historic Shaolin Temple & hiking Mount Song. | Shaolin Temple Kungfu Academy |
| July 18 | Kaifeng | We'll drive to Kaifeng today, travelling back in time to life during the Northern Song dynasty by visiting the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. We'll also visit the Daxiangguo Temple and Iron Pagoda. Finally, we'll check out the ancient city wall. | Kaifeng/Luoyang Accommodation |
| July 19 | Luoyang | Today we'll make our way to Luoyang, the former capital of the ancient Han dynasty and start of the Silk Route. We'll visit the White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China, founded in AD 68. Then we'll head to the Longmen Grottes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to take in the stunning views of over 100,000 buddha sculptures carved into the face of the caves dating from 493 AD to 1127 AD. After taking in all the sites, this evening, we'll take the long-distance overnight train from Luoyang to Beijiing. As we fly through the countryside, we'll rest and recharge our batteries, play cards, journal, snack and/or practice our Chinese language skills with our neighbors. | Train |
| July 20 | Beijing | Upon arrival in Beijing in the morning, we'll hop on the bus and make our way out to a rural village at the foot of the Great Wall of China. We'll hike through chestnut orchards, walk past the “Wild Wall” (unrestored section) and enjoy exploring this quiet, peaceful community. We'll be staying with the Hu family and have the opportunity to practice our Chinese with them and enjoy home-cooked meals. | Hu Family Homestay |
| July 21 | Beijing | On our final full day in Beijing, we'll start the day bright and early by testing our bargaining skills at the famed Pan Jia Yuan flea market. In the afternoon, we'll either do more shopping in Nanluoguxiang area or the Pearl Market or hit up another cultural site like the Yonghegong Lama Temple or the Temple of Heaven. In the evening, we'll head to The Hutong culture school for traditional Chinese cooking class where we'll make and eat our own dinner. After dinner, we'll have a karaoke party and celebrate the end of a great trip! | Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn |
| July 22 | Beijing | Say 再见中国 as we hop on the plane and make our way home! | Plane and eventually your own bed! |
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Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe. We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.
Drum Tower Hostel
The convenient location of Drum Tower Hostel reduces commute times and eases busy travel days. However, we have chosen to partner with this particular accommodation for its safety standards, comfortable and cheerful atmosphere, and commitment to good service. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Sleepy Inn
The cosmopolitan and vibrant atmosphere make this hotel a wonderful experience for our student groups. Selected for the great service, clean rooms and advantageous location, Sleepy Inn is an excellent place to relax between adventures around Beijing. Rooms and bathrooms will be exclusive to our travelers.
Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Academy
All of our student rooms are hotel style. Every room is equipped with high-speed internet access, air-conditioning, an independent bathroom, hot water, wardrobes and other facilities to make you feel right at home. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Homestay
This will be the best part of your trip! Staying with a host family immerses you in the language and culture of the destination, and can lead to deep and lasting relationships with your hosts. Initially intimidating but ultimately unforgettable, there’s no better way to begin to truly understand the place you’re visiting.
Group Flight
| Type | Carrier Name | Carrier Code | Flight Number | Departure City | Departure Date and Time | Arrival City | Arrival Date and Time |
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Outbound
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DL
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2692
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BNA – Nashville International Airport, Nashville, USA
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July 9, 2019 at 8:50AM
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DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit, USA
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July 9, 2019 at 11:25AM
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Outbound
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DL
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189
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DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit, USA
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July 9, 2019 at 1:32PM
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PEK – Beijing Capital International Airport, Shunyi, China
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July 10, 2019 at 2:45PM
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Inbound
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DL
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188
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PEK – Beijing Capital International Airport, Shunyi, China
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July 22, 2019 at 4:50PM
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DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit, USA
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July 22, 2019 at 5:53PM
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Inbound
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DL
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2975
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DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit, USA
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July 22, 2019 at 10:39PM
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BNA – Nashville International Airport, Nashville, USA
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July 22, 2019 at 11:12PM
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Once your flight has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Packing List
What follows is a sample packing list that is provided as a guideline. Feel free to augment as you feel necessary. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on hikes, weekend excursions and shorter activities.
“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.
Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination.
The region of the country you will be visiting is in a lush tropical rainforest and next to the ocean and therefore humidity is omnipresent and it can take a while for clothes to dry. Keep this in mind when selecting your clothing fabric.
Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT and STUDENT ID.
CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good hiking socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Long sleeve shirt
- Long sleeve quick dry shirt (for activities under the sun such as rafting or surfing)
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
- Comfortable/hiking/everyday pants (NOT all jeans)
- 1 nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners (girls might want a skirt or something a little nicer for such occasions, boys may want to opt for a polo shirt or button up shirt with jeans)
- Durable athletic/hiking shoes with good grip
- Sandals (Chaco/Teva/Keen/Merrel sandals are great to have for water activities)
- Thick long socks (for the sand fleas)
- Bandana for work site (optional)
- A hat that can protect your neck
- Swimming suit, for surf classes a rash guard is recommended for sensitive skins
TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:
- Sunscreen (You will use a lot. Natural products/lotions are preferred over aerosol, especially for the beach)
- Mosquito repellent (non-deet/lotions are preferred to reduce environmental impact)
- Band Aids and Neosporin
- Anti-itch cream
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container. It’s important that medication travel in its original container, as customs officials have the right to confiscate it otherwise.
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book
- Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
- Alarm Clock and watch
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on number of desired snacks, souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- 1 quick-dry towel
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Batteries
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- Chinese/English dictionary
- Electrical converter and adapter
**China runs 220V, 50Hz AC electricity. A converter is only necessary if your device does not have 120-220V range.
RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
- Small luggage lock
- Portable charger (for long train ride)
- Wet wipes
- Ziplock bags
- Travel pillow
- Ear plugs
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional support staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find a list of the team members involved in the planning, organizing, and leadership of your program.
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
During college, Luke spent a semester living and traveling in rural Mexico. His experience sparked a fascination with Latin America and a commitment to community service that continues to this day. Upon graduating from college, he joined WorldTeach and lived with a local family in a small village in Costa Rica while teaching elementary English. After this experience, he moved to San José, the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and wrote for The Tico Times newspaper. Luke has since traveled to over 60 countries on five different continents. Now settled in Denver with his family, he continues to crave massive helpings of rice and beans.
Alena Shish
China Country Director, Program Leader
Middlebury College – B.A. in Chinese Language in Literature; Minor in French & Francophone Studies
Born in Ukraine and growing up in the United States, Alena is no stranger to thriving in different cultural environments and studying foreign languages (so far, she speaks four: English, Chinese, French, & Russian). While at Middlebury College, she had the opportunity to study in both Hangzhou, China, and Paris, France. Her time abroad inspired her to see the potential in study abroad and intercultural exchange for personal growth and cross-cultural understanding. Having fallen in love with the Chinese language, food, and culture while abroad, after graduation, she moved to Shenzhen, China to help Chinese high schools students through the US university application process. Since then, she’s also traveled around Russia, Israel, East Asia and all over China. So far, she’s been to 19 provinces, 4 municipalities, and 2 administrative regions in mainland China. When she’s not hiking or spending time reading, she’s obsessively baidu-ing (the Chinese Google) new Chinese slang, new Chinese dishes to try, or new places to explore in China. She’s excited to see to share her love of China, Chinese language, and travel with all her trip participants.
Peter Liu
Program Leader
University of YunNan – B.A. in Social Sports Specialty Minor in Physical Education
Born and raised in Yunnan, China, A place surrounded by mountains. Peter started travel after he graduate and he has been working with international schools for over three years and helped thousands of students from all over the world to explore nature, the outdoors and also teach them new skills during different activities. These include rock climbing, kayaking, and archery to name a few. His passions about the outdoors comes from trying to get students out of their comfort zone, challenging themselves and building their confidence. During winter, Peter works in a resort as a skiing instructor, he teaches all different ages and different ski abilities. He is constantly looking for ways to better educate and run outdoor experiences. He is also a qualified WAFA, WFR, LEAVE NO TRACE TRAINER and Level 1 PSIA instructor.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Aiden Wildman
- 2 Alexis Elcan
- 3 Benjamin Smitherman
- 4 Benjamin Wallace
- 5 Bry'Nhyia Brazier
- 6 Charles Mahanes
- 7 Colin Murray
- 8 Erina Shin
- 9 James Kelley - Group Organizer
- 10 Karim Daouk
- 11 Katherine Wright
- 12 Lillian Pankow
- 13 Mia Anderson - Group Organizer
- 14 Salwa Daouk
Blog and Communication
During travel we will work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blogs and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, giving parents a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will receive an email notification when the first blog is posted, after which we recommend you check in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this page.
Beyond this proactive approach to communication during the trip, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants semi-regular access to WiFi so you can also expect to communicate with your traveler directly. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is important that we create an environment of trust, security and respect. All individuals participating in our programs are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of behavioral conduct.
ABSOLUTE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of, or are consuming, or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety.
- This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC China website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult with your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before travel.
Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree will register our programs and travelers with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and home visits, and keep up on important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in a multi-day leadership training retreat. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff and U.S.-based staff.
We receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Program Leaders will also hold an online information session before your departure, as well as an arrival orientation in-country, in order to give participants important instructions on food safety, hygiene and preventing injury and illness. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel is never without risk. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with two additional provisions: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Bed Rest. Detailed explanations of both provisions can be found on the link below.
To provide families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage with CFAR included, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your deposit/first payment. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight.