AIFS Partnership Programs: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

China is a vast and fascinating country with a rapidly growing presence on the world stage. With a population in excess of 1.3 billion and boasting over 5000 years of history, this country offers visitors the opportunity to experience such historical treasures as Beijing’s Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, and the stunning Great Wall of China; to compare Shanghai’s skyscrapers with the elegant 19th century Bund; to see pandas in their natural habitat; to visit the beautiful gardens at Suzhou; or to head out to the rural provinces where mechanization has not yet reached the traditional farming villages.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, fundamental changes have taken place, and China has become the world’s second largest economy and a major trading partner of both the United States and the European Union. It is also seeking to establish itself as the economic leader of the combined 1.7 billion populations of South and Southeast Asia. Alongside this tremendous economic progress has been significant change in all aspects of social life.

Indeed, a true understanding of economic development and opportunities in China requires an understanding of Chinese culture.

With the recent 2008 Olympics in Beijing and Shanghai’s 2010 World Expo, the pace of change is fast, yet much history remains. There could never be a better time to explore this wonderful country, and AIFS offers customized short-term cultural tours for faculty-led groups including at least 2 or 3 different locations.

AIFS Partnership in China:

Cultural Tours