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The Summer 2016 session of the Jinhua Homestay Program is set to run June 22-July 12. Interested individuals can apply on or before Saturday, April 30 at www.jinhua-homestay.com/en/index.php. The WIU Office of Study Abroad and Outreach is offering an informational meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 in Horrabin Hall 27. Interested individuals can also contact the office at (309) 298-2504, via email at studyabroad@wiu.edu or stop by the study abroad office in Horrabin Hall 8.
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WIU Dept. of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA) Assistant Professor Jeremy Robinett learning how to create Chinese calligraphy during his time in the Jinhua Homestay Project in the summer of 2015.
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Mary Fuller (right) during her time in the Jinhua Homestay Project. Sponsored by the Foreign and Overseas-Chinese Affairs Office of Jinhua Municipal People's Government, the project provides participants with comprehensive introductions to the history, customs and architecture of traditional Chinese villages and offers them opportunities to experience local culture and learn traditional Chinese handicrafts.
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Jinhua Homestay Project Enables Students to Experience Rural Chinese Culture via an Expenses Paid, Three-Week Travel Opportunity; Study Abroad Office Informational Session Feb. 25

February 9, 2016

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MACOMB, IL — Experience rural Chinese culture this summer through an expenses paid*, three-week travel opportunity via the China Jinhua Homestay Program. Sponsored by the Foreign and Overseas-Chinese Affairs Office of Jinhua Municipal People's Government, the program provides participants with comprehensive introductions to the history, customs and architecture of traditional Chinese villages and offers them opportunities to experience local culture and learn traditional Chinese handicrafts.

According to Mary Fuller (Corning, IA), a Western Illinois University Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA) master's degree candidate who took part in the Jinhua Homestay Program last summer, it provides individuals with the opportunity to explore another culture and learn what life is like in a Chinese village.

"During the program, you will live and explore a Chinese village, participate in traditional cultural activities, such as calligraphy, paper cutting, cooking and singing," she noted. "This summer's program will be held in Yuyuan village, a unique village that dates back to the 1300s."

The Summer 2016 session of the Jinhua Homestay Program is set to run June 22-July 12. Interested individuals can apply on or before Saturday, April 30 at www.jinhua-homestay.com/en/index.php. The WIU Office of Study Abroad and Outreach is offering an informational meeting about the program at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 in Horrabin Hall 27. Interested individuals can also contact the office at (309) 298-2504, via email at studyabroad@wiu.edu or stop by the study abroad office in Horrabin Hall 8.

*Individual expenses (activities, food, lodging) are covered, and those selected to participate will also receive a stipend.

Fuller, who, last summer, was chosen to take part in the program along with RPTA Assistant Professor Jeremy Robinett, said the program is "a great chance to apply what you are learning in school, whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student studying RPTA, history, marketing or in any academic discipline."

"In addition to learning about Chinese culture and daily life, we helped with developing materials aimed at attracting more international tourists to Jinhua and its historic villages. Working with a team, I developed a magazine with information on the food, nature and culture of the Jinhua area. It was an opportunity to apply what I had learned in my classes on a real-world project," she noted.

According to Fuller, no knowledge of the Chinese language is required, as translators are provided.

"It is necessary to be open to new experiences, though," she added. "This is an amazing opportunity to experience China on a level that most visitors do not have. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in learning more about the world and other cultures."

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing