Interest Meeting for China Trip November 10, 2014 Laurel International Corp.

Meeting Objectives Laurel International Corp. introduction A quick look at Yongding HS Attached to Capital Normal University Why visiting China Objectives of the trip Trip basics and itinerary Frequently asked questions Timeline for trip participants Q & A

Laurel International Corp. Founded in 1992 Mission: To promote educational and culture exchanges between US and China Offices in Rockville, MD & Beijing, China Scope of business -Educational exchange programs -Sister school partnership -Summer programs -American public high school diploma program -Executive training programs for Chinese government -Agriculture -Law -Public administration -Finance

Experience in Sister School Partnership Laurel’s role Almost 10 years’ experience Existing partnership in MD  Robert Frost MS  Wootton  Long Reach HS  Centennial HS  River Hill HS  Reservoir HS  Marriotts Ridge HS Member of National Travel Association

Yongding HS Attached to Capital Normal University A public school in Mentougou District, BJ Founded in ,300 students Grades 7-12

2014/10Walter Johnson Principal Ms. Baker visited China 2015/04Walter Johnson Students will visit China Sister School Partnership

Why Visiting China The world’s most populous country, with 1.3 billion officially The world’s second-largest economy in Q U.S.-China relationship is increasingly important China has the longest, continuous civilization in the world - some 5,000 years

Objectives for the Trip To understand the Chinese way of teaching and learning To make friends in China To experience the Chinese culture - Chinese culture classes - Most famous tourist sights - Events for students

Trip Basics Nature: Educational trip Priority: Safety Time: Leave on Fri, Apr 3 and return to U.S. on Sun, Apr 12 Cities: Beijing 5 days, Xi’an 2 day, Shanghai 1 day Meals: All included, host family, school cafeteria and restaurants Lodging: Host family condos and hotels (similar to Holiday Inn) Transportation: Host parents drop off/pick up kids at school, private shuttle bus Cost: $3,000 including everything: int’l airfare, local flight & train, meals, admission, visa application fee, admission, etc.

Xi’an Shanghai Beijing D.C. Traveling Route

Frequently Asked Questions What does the insurance include? Airline tickets: if you get sick, you can get a full refund on your tickets with a doctor’s note Medical insurance: covers expenses up to $50,000

Frequently Asked Questions How will students travel in China? While with host families: they may either walk to school, be driven by the parents, or ride public buses. No bikes Rest of the trip: Private bus Airplane (Shanghai to Xi’an) High Speed Rail (Xi’an to BJ)

Frequently Asked Questions (Cont’d) Where will students stay? Most host families live in condos – while in Beijing o Students may have to share a room (not a bed) with Chinese students o Will have air conditioning o Western-style toilets Hotels (at least three-star) – while in Xian & Shanghai o Two students per room o Will try to get non-smoking rooms, but not all hotels will be able to accommodate

Frequently Asked Questions (Cont’d) How are host families chosen? Screened through their employers and local police departments, as well as local condo associations Homes are evaluated for Western-style amenities and cleanliness Host students must be able to speak English and are willing to take responsibility for a visiting American student

Frequently Asked Questions (Cont’d) What will students eat? Mostly Chinese food, especially local specialties With host families: breakfast and dinner at home, lunch at school Some American food (all hotels will have American buffet-style breakfasts) Only bottled water

How will students communicate with home? Phone o We will give parents numbers for host families, hotels and the tour guide o If your child brings a cell phone, you may add int’l roaming service o Access to the internet at their host families’ homes o Most hotels have internet access. If not, they can check in business center, but will need to pay Frequently Asked Questions (Cont’d)

How will students buy things in China? Bring cash or a credit card - not traveler’s checks We will exchange when we get there; there is one rate everywhere Current rate: $1 to ¥6.1 (TBU) Frequently Asked Questions (Cont’d)

How do you maintain the group in large crowds? Based on our previous experience, we had the ' buddy system ' and we have never lost a student before When we travel in Beijing, we will always have 1 or 2 teachers from the school to help. Local tour guides and bus drivers will also help us for all trips in Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. So we always have at least 2 to 3 adult chaperones with the students April not the peak travel time. Fewer crowds Frequently Asked Questions (Cont’d)

Timeline for Trip Participants Submit completed information sheet by end of November Submit $500 deposit by winter break Submit $2,500 fee, get int’l air ticket, submit visa application materials by Jan, 2015 Attend the pre-trip meeting in Mar, 2015

Contact Information Christina Ge Program Coordinator Laurel International Corp. T: (301) or (240) after 5pm E: A:2275 Research Blvd, Suite 500 Rockville MD, W:

Cultural Exchange is about SHARING & LEARNING