1. *
ALA Girls State Leadership Conference USHCA and ALA MGS Partnership Macae Mickens, ALA Missouri Girls State 1 1

2. What is the USHCA?
United States Heartland China Association formerly Midwest-US China Association (MWCA)
Started by Missouri Governor Bob Holden
Partners with Youth to provide study opportunities to promote relationships and understanding of Chinese culture 2

3. Partnership with ALA MGS
Study tours have been arranged to allow alumni of the MGS program and staff to take a 10-day trip to China
Experiences in China include:
US Embassy and meeting with US Ambassador Terry Brandstad
US China Business Council
Chinese Universities and Think Tanks
Historic Sites: Great Wall and Forbidden City
Cultural Workshops: calligraphy, language, tea ceremonies 3

4. Opening the Opportunity
Looking for expanding this opportunity to other states
Currently focusing on 20 states within the Heartland of the US
Information and Interest Sheet for future trips 4

5. Questions? 5