Sunday, May 26 to Saturday June 8, 2019
[Beijing, Qingdao, Chengdu]

About the Program

The China - U.S. Rising Star Student Study Tour is a flagship student exchange program under the framework of the China - U.S. High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in the sector of vocational education. AASCU’s International Education Office, as co-sponsor of this initiative, along with the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) selects students from its member universities featuring programs focusing on a variety of thematic areas of vocational education and applied learning, to experience two weeks of intensive training and study in host Chinese higher vocational colleges. The theme of the 2019 China-US Rising Star Study Tour is China and its Cultural Heritage.

This program is made possible thanks to the generous support and funding by the Ministry of Education of China.

Goals of the China - U.S. Rising Star Student Study Tour

• Strengthen cross-cultural communication skills of student participants; 
• Improve the professional capacity of the student participants; and
• Facilitate the increase of students studying in China in the vocational education sector
  
  

Major Activities of the China-U.S. Rising Star Student Study Tour

• In-depth Cultural Experience
  To help participating students understand the social and economic conditions of modern China, the study tour includes activities such as lectures, and visits to prime industry and cultural spots to provide students with a multi-dimensional experience of China and its essences. 
  
  
• Skills learning and Hands-on Training 
  Project based learning and training in different labs are also important components of the study tour. Students from the two countries with similar academic backgrounds develop and improve their professional knowledge and skills together through lessons taught by participating faculty members, industry visits and cooperative learning.
   
• Student Dialogue 
  Aiming to build long-term friendships and enhance mutual understanding between the young people from the two countries, workshops, seminars and team-building activities are included in the study tour to facilitate interaction and in-depth communication among students.

Program Dates

• Dates: May 26 - June 8, 2019
• Cities: Beijing, Qingdao, Chengdu
  

Program Costs

• Participants: Selected participants will be required to pay a $150, non-refundable application fee. Additionally, participants are responsible for their international travel costs, including round-trip airfare and travel insurance.
• Program: Meals, accommodations and domestic transportation in China will be covered by the program.

Participants

To be eligible to apply for the Summer 2019 Rising Star Student Study Tour, you must:

• Be a US citizen or Permanent Resident between the ages of 18-30
• Be currently enrolled in a program of study at your college/university
• Have completed at least one semester of college education
• Be in good academic standing
• Be interested in China and Chinese culture
• Have a good understanding of the social conditions of modern China
• Be willing to promote the education exchange and cooperation between China and the US

Candidate Selection, Process and Program Timeline:

• Application Deadline - February 28, 2019
  
• AASCU will make the final selections and notify final candidates by March 15, 2019
• Final candidates upon being notified will send a letter of their acceptance by March 22, 2019
• AASCU will provide relevant reading materials and travel information by April 5, 2019
• Rising Stars must submit all required documentation, including doctor's recommendation, proof of travel insurance and Chinese visa by May 10, 2019
• Rising Stars depart the United States for Beijing, China on Saturday, May 25, 2019
• Rising Stars arrive in Beijing, China on Sunday, May 26, 2019 and the program officially begins
• The program officially ends on June 8, 2019 and Rising Stars depart to the US from Beijing, China