The Splendid China Study Tour provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and other members of Gannon community to obtain a valuable international experience at an attractive price. Due to the increased importance of globalization this century, it is important that such opportunities be made available.

China is well suited for providing an international experience for the following reasons:
· It provides great contrasts from the US in all areas of country differences, including political system, economic system, legal system, level of economic development, and culture (which includes religion, education, history, importance of family, importance of individual vs. collectivity, and language).

· According to the World Bank, the size of the Chinese economy is predicted to exceed that of the US by 40% by the year 2020, thus becoming the worlds largest economy [Hill, Charles. Global Business, 2E. Irwin McGraw Hill, 2001, pp. 17-18]. One implication of this is that business activity between the US and China may be expected to increase even more in the future.

· Every day a major news item involves China. China may be the most important country to know more about in the 21st century.

· China is extremely safe due to a low crime rate. Beijing is much more safe that most American large cities so that students may feel comfortable walking around on their own, even at night.

· Chinese people are extremely hospitable and friendly towards Americans despite differences between the governments.

· Due to a favorable exchange rate and a low standard of living, the US Dollar goes far in China, so that the China tours are less expensive than tours to most all other regions of the world, and items purchased there, such as souvenirs and food, are also inexpensive.

While there are other tours to China, the Splendid China Study Tour sponsored by the GU IB program offers the following advantages:
· The Splendid China Tour offers an especially attractive price. For example, included in the Sp01 incredibly low tour price of $1,249 for students and $1,329 for others, was R/T air fare from Erie, luxurious accommodations in a five star hotel, all but two meals, transportation and admission to all sites included in the itinerary, including business and school visits, and a local guide who was with the group the entire tour. The price for students receiving China Study Fund grants and CHBE Study Abroad grants was reduced by $200. The low tour price was, in part, the result of the efforts of a Gannon MBA alumnus, who formerly worked for the tour company used in the Sp01 tour. In addition to being instrumental in the development of the first two tours, she been able to obtain the most favorable price quotation possible from the tour company, and to arrange for special service, such as the provision of their best tour guide and special birthday celebrations. The Sp01 tour guide was outstanding.

· China is not a country that it is recommended that one travel to on their own, particularly those who are first time international travelers. There is a great deal of information that must be obtained to travel to China. The amount of travel info and assistance provided with the Splendid China Travel Tour is greater than with regular group tours, as demonstrated by the information provided at the information and pre departure meetings. This material has been developed by the tour organizer and leader, Gary Mahan,Ph.D., who has now traveled to China three times. By clicking on the following link the viewer can be taken to his Web home page, which contains a link to a page describing his International Business professional development activities:

Web site Home page for Gary Mahan

· Although the tour price may be low, the comfort and level of service are much higher than with other student tours. In addition to the business and school visits, other aspects of the tour itinerary are also customized. Thus the tour is different from standard tours that are part of a package.

Given the different culture, history, language, political system, economic system and legal system in China, the importance of the country this century, and all that is included in the tour for an attractive price, it may not be possible to provide an interested student or other member of the Gannon community with a better international experience per dollar. As a result of the low price, special treatment, customization, courses offered in conjunction with the tour, and an experienced tour leader, GU may have somewhat of a competitive advantage in the offering of China tours.