Official Start Time: 5:30 p.m.
Date: 12/27/08
Official End Time: 10:30 p.m.
The 2009 American Exchange Program will act as a pilot cultural exchange program between the United States of America (US) and China in which Chinese students will participate on a two-week cultural exchange program across the northeast of America. Participants are given a rare opportunity to see a part of the US that similar to China is undergoing social change through its youth and education system. China today is at a turning point as they embrace life in a global society as globalization and modernization have crept their way well into Chinese culture and have given its youth the window of opportunity of traveling abroad and earning the money they have hungered for, for so many years. America on the other hand is falling back from a life of capitalistic ideals and thinking to a more respectful, earnest way of thinking that encourages today’s youth to give back to their community and explore new ideas in respect to life in a global society.
Upon arriving in New York after a days worth of flying we'll locate a nearby hotel so that students can get adjusted: shower, unpack, and mingle with the other travelers. While in New York we will visit the Bronx Zoo, the New York Aquarium, and take a tour of Manhattan as we visit some of the major landmarks: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Time Square, etc; and experience the Big Apple. The night before we leave New York we will experience the night life that is Connie Island as we take part of the carnival rides and excitements of the park.
On the morning of our fourth day, we'll hit the road towards Ocean City in New Jersey. Ocean City is known for its large board walks and beautiful beaches. At the beach, students will be enjoy a day of fun in the sun with a BBQ style lunch as we visit the commerce in the area and later make our move out to Philadelphia later that afternoon. Upon arriving in Philadelphia we will find a hotel for the night and give students a chance to freshen up before dinner.
Our fifth day will start with a tour of Philadelphia as we visit the Rocky Steps, the Liberty Bell, and take a tour through Independence Hall in the city of Brotherly Love. Dinner this evening will be at the Hard Rock Café; located in the historic Reading terminal train station, this popular downtown nightspot is just blocks away from the birthplace of America: Independence Hall. We'll have a 
chance to take in the sights, shop at the largest urban enclosed mall, and feast where rock 'n' roll was born - at the Hard Rock Cafe.
The Light tour will be held after dinner and will capture the 200 years of American history and the creation of this wonderful country. The tour takes place at night and is guided by a scene of lights, music, and story telling that captures the imagination of all those young and old. The tour ends our journey in Philadelphia awaiting the wonders of Washington, D.C. tomorrow.
On the morning of our sixth day, we'll the hit the road towards Washington, DC: the nations capital. On our four days stay in Washington, D.C. we'll see the amazing landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and even the White House. We'll eat at the famous Café Mozu, a restaurant well known for its asian style dishes and bright and airy rooms that reflects Washington, DC’s international flair with an element of sophistication, that offers 
unparalleled views of the Washington Channel, Tidal Basin and menus that are simple and clean, yet bold and flavorful.
We'll see the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History along with the NASA Museum. There will be a day dedicated to shopping along with a day of fun and excitement as we visit Six Flags America in Baltimore, Maryland. Our stay in Washington will be unforgettable as we see the historical side of America as well as the fun side through the food, activities, and attractions that are sure to leave a great impression on all participants.
On the morning of our tenth day, we will take a plane from Washington, D. C. to Boston, Massachusetts. Upon arriving in Boston we will find a hotel and make our move out towards our activity of the day at the Museum of Science. The museum is similar to the Science and Technology Museum in Shanghai and covers several different fields of science through their hundreds of exhibitions. Additionally we'll take part of the Duck Tour, Freedom Trail, the Aboretuem (a park similar to Central Park in NYC) along the Charles River, Copley Square and Quincy Market. Quincy Market is what you would imagine to be your typical market place in Shanghai with hundreds of stores, food, and attractions.
On the morning of our twelfth day, we hit the road towards New York as we close the chapters on the first of many cultural exchange programs to come.
Tuition for the "landed" portion of the Ningxia Dragon Student Ambassadors 2009 American Exchange Program covers all the scheduled groups activities, meal plans, and hotel stays from arrival in New York City (assuming all Chinese members travel as a group from a single gateway city in China: Shanghai) until departure from New York City. International airfare is not included here. International airfare rates often have seasonal differences and the program will seek group airfare discounts once the size of the group is fixed and determined. Past group trips have had international airfares ranging from approximately $900 per person (off-season) to $1,600 (peak-season). July is considered "peak-season", so international airfares can be estimated at approximately $1600 + $200 for flights from the student's hometown to Shanghai and from Shanghai back to the student's hometown.
*American students participating in the 2009 American Exchange Program will only have to pay $2,500.*
Transportation -
Air Transfers - Washington, D.C. to Boston, MA
Local Coach Bus - Coach bus transfer will be provided for group travel in New York, Ocean City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Boston. Coach bus transfers will include transportation to and from the airport, to all tours and sightseeing locations, to all schools and universities, and to all group activity locations. (Local transportation is very inexpensive, and travelers will be allowed to travel at will on their own account during free time.
New York hotel - three night, double occupancy, Super 8 (tentative)
Philadelphia hotel - two night, double occupancy, Super 8 (tentative)
Washington, D.C. hotel - four night, double occupancy, Super 8 (tentative)
Boston hotel - two night, double occupancy, Super 8 (tentative)
Tuition does not cover fees such as transportation to or from the USA gateway airport, or fees such as visa and passport fees. Each traveler is responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents and, if needed, medical exams and precautionary medicines and shots. Medical insurance in China will be covered by the Tuition. Medical insurance is offered through the Foreign Affairs Office of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Travelers may elect on their own to obtain additional travel and medical insurance coverage.
Food
Generally, 3 meals will be provided daily as part of the program Tuition. On most days, breakfasts and lunches will be “lite” meals (for example, noodles, soups, breads, fruits, local vegetables and cooked meats) in restaurant settings. Dinners will frequently be more formal and larger productions, often presided over by a local resturant.
Site, museum, and park entrance fees -
Tuition covers the cost of group sightseeing, museum, and park entrance fees. This includes entrance to the Bronx Zoo, the New York Aquariam, Ellis Island and any other sites or museums we plan to visit.
We have left room for schedule adjustments so that the group can make decisions about “off the path” side trips or activities. The experienced guides who will accompany the group are well versed in local, unusual events and points of interest. Personal “down time” has been scheduled so that travelers have freedom and flexibility to explore those things that are of most interest to them. It is important to remember that the objective of New School Student Ambassadors and this 2009 American Exchange Progam is to give travelers an educational and cultural experience that will stimulate new understanding and reflection on our relationship with this generation of Chinese and American students who are now bursting onto the world’s stage through development and progress. We all know there are great and grave questions about what this means. An experience such as this is designed to give each and every participant a basis for beginning to seek the answers.
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
Date: 12/27/08
Official End Time: 10:30 p.m.
Program Summary
The 2009 American Exchange Program will act as a pilot cultural exchange program between the United States of America (US) and China in which Chinese students will participate on a two-week cultural exchange program across the northeast of America. Participants are given a rare opportunity to see a part of the US that similar to China is undergoing social change through its youth and education system. China today is at a turning point as they embrace life in a global society as globalization and modernization have crept their way well into Chinese culture and have given its youth the window of opportunity of traveling abroad and earning the money they have hungered for, for so many years. America on the other hand is falling back from a life of capitalistic ideals and thinking to a more respectful, earnest way of thinking that encourages today’s youth to give back to their community and explore new ideas in respect to life in a global society.
Day 1-3 - New York
Upon arriving in New York after a days worth of flying we'll locate a nearby hotel so that students can get adjusted: shower, unpack, and mingle with the other travelers. While in New York we will visit the Bronx Zoo, the New York Aquarium, and take a tour of Manhattan as we visit some of the major landmarks: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Time Square, etc; and experience the Big Apple. The night before we leave New York we will experience the night life that is Connie Island as we take part of the carnival rides and excitements of the park.Day 4 - Ocean City
On the morning of our fourth day, we'll hit the road towards Ocean City in New Jersey. Ocean City is known for its large board walks and beautiful beaches. At the beach, students will be enjoy a day of fun in the sun with a BBQ style lunch as we visit the commerce in the area and later make our move out to Philadelphia later that afternoon. Upon arriving in Philadelphia we will find a hotel for the night and give students a chance to freshen up before dinner.Day 5 - Philadelphia
Our fifth day will start with a tour of Philadelphia as we visit the Rocky Steps, the Liberty Bell, and take a tour through Independence Hall in the city of Brotherly Love. Dinner this evening will be at the Hard Rock Café; located in the historic Reading terminal train station, this popular downtown nightspot is just blocks away from the birthplace of America: Independence Hall. We'll have a chance to take in the sights, shop at the largest urban enclosed mall, and feast where rock 'n' roll was born - at the Hard Rock Cafe.The Light tour will be held after dinner and will capture the 200 years of American history and the creation of this wonderful country. The tour takes place at night and is guided by a scene of lights, music, and story telling that captures the imagination of all those young and old. The tour ends our journey in Philadelphia awaiting the wonders of Washington, D.C. tomorrow.
Day 6-9 - Washington, D.C.
On the morning of our sixth day, we'll the hit the road towards Washington, DC: the nations capital. On our four days stay in Washington, D.C. we'll see the amazing landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and even the White House. We'll eat at the famous Café Mozu, a restaurant well known for its asian style dishes and bright and airy rooms that reflects Washington, DC’s international flair with an element of sophistication, that offers unparalleled views of the Washington Channel, Tidal Basin and menus that are simple and clean, yet bold and flavorful.We'll see the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History along with the NASA Museum. There will be a day dedicated to shopping along with a day of fun and excitement as we visit Six Flags America in Baltimore, Maryland. Our stay in Washington will be unforgettable as we see the historical side of America as well as the fun side through the food, activities, and attractions that are sure to leave a great impression on all participants.
Day 10-12 - Boston, Massachusetts
On the morning of our tenth day, we will take a plane from Washington, D. C. to Boston, Massachusetts. Upon arriving in Boston we will find a hotel and make our move out towards our activity of the day at the Museum of Science. The museum is similar to the Science and Technology Museum in Shanghai and covers several different fields of science through their hundreds of exhibitions. Additionally we'll take part of the Duck Tour, Freedom Trail, the Aboretuem (a park similar to Central Park in NYC) along the Charles River, Copley Square and Quincy Market. Quincy Market is what you would imagine to be your typical market place in Shanghai with hundreds of stores, food, and attractions.On the morning of our twelfth day, we hit the road towards New York as we close the chapters on the first of many cultural exchange programs to come.
Tuition and Fees
2009 American Exchange Program Tuition - $2,430 per person
Tuition for the "landed" portion of the Ningxia Dragon Student Ambassadors 2009 American Exchange Program covers all the scheduled groups activities, meal plans, and hotel stays from arrival in New York City (assuming all Chinese members travel as a group from a single gateway city in China: Shanghai) until departure from New York City. International airfare is not included here. International airfare rates often have seasonal differences and the program will seek group airfare discounts once the size of the group is fixed and determined. Past group trips have had international airfares ranging from approximately $900 per person (off-season) to $1,600 (peak-season). July is considered "peak-season", so international airfares can be estimated at approximately $1600 + $200 for flights from the student's hometown to Shanghai and from Shanghai back to the student's hometown.
*American students participating in the 2009 American Exchange Program will only have to pay $2,500.*
The Landed Tuition Includes:
Transportation -
Air Transfers - Washington, D.C. to Boston, MA
Local Coach Bus - Coach bus transfer will be provided for group travel in New York, Ocean City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Boston. Coach bus transfers will include transportation to and from the airport, to all tours and sightseeing locations, to all schools and universities, and to all group activity locations. (Local transportation is very inexpensive, and travelers will be allowed to travel at will on their own account during free time.
Hotel and Overnight Accommodations
New York hotel - three night, double occupancy, Super 8 (tentative)
Philadelphia hotel - two night, double occupancy, Super 8 (tentative)
Washington, D.C. hotel - four night, double occupancy, Super 8 (tentative)
Boston hotel - two night, double occupancy, Super 8 (tentative)
Tuition does not cover fees such as transportation to or from the USA gateway airport, or fees such as visa and passport fees. Each traveler is responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents and, if needed, medical exams and precautionary medicines and shots. Medical insurance in China will be covered by the Tuition. Medical insurance is offered through the Foreign Affairs Office of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Travelers may elect on their own to obtain additional travel and medical insurance coverage.
Food
Generally, 3 meals will be provided daily as part of the program Tuition. On most days, breakfasts and lunches will be “lite” meals (for example, noodles, soups, breads, fruits, local vegetables and cooked meats) in restaurant settings. Dinners will frequently be more formal and larger productions, often presided over by a local resturant.
Site, museum, and park entrance fees -
Tuition covers the cost of group sightseeing, museum, and park entrance fees. This includes entrance to the Bronx Zoo, the New York Aquariam, Ellis Island and any other sites or museums we plan to visit.
We have left room for schedule adjustments so that the group can make decisions about “off the path” side trips or activities. The experienced guides who will accompany the group are well versed in local, unusual events and points of interest. Personal “down time” has been scheduled so that travelers have freedom and flexibility to explore those things that are of most interest to them. It is important to remember that the objective of New School Student Ambassadors and this 2009 American Exchange Progam is to give travelers an educational and cultural experience that will stimulate new understanding and reflection on our relationship with this generation of Chinese and American students who are now bursting onto the world’s stage through development and progress. We all know there are great and grave questions about what this means. An experience such as this is designed to give each and every participant a basis for beginning to seek the answers.
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
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