Gateway to China
The Honors College at LSU hosted a scholarship program in the summer 2010 called the Gateway to China program. In this program, students from the Honors College could apply to participate in an all-expenses-paid summer program to promote relations among Chinese and American students, and to introduce American students to the immense business and career opportunities with our Eastern neighbors. Upon acceptance into the program, students were required to participate in an intense, comprehensive Chinese culture class through the Honors College (HNRS 3100), which discussed Chinese history and culture, and the current and projected economic relations between the United States and China.
During the program, we toured Shanghai (including the 2010 World Expo) as well as Beijing, Songzhou, Yuzhou, and Tian, where we were able to see the original Terracotta Soldiers. We took Mandarin lessons every morning and did a variety of cultural exercises every day such as calligraphy and Tai Chi. The difference in Eastern and Western cultures is vast, and participating in this program was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life.
During the program, we toured Shanghai (including the 2010 World Expo) as well as Beijing, Songzhou, Yuzhou, and Tian, where we were able to see the original Terracotta Soldiers. We took Mandarin lessons every morning and did a variety of cultural exercises every day such as calligraphy and Tai Chi. The difference in Eastern and Western cultures is vast, and participating in this program was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life.