The 3rd Annual Splendid China Study Tour took place from March 1 – 8, 2002. The eight-day tour was sponsored by the Gannon International Business program and was organized and led by the program director and Associate Professor, Economics, Gary P. Mahan, Ph.D. In addition to Beijing, this tour included Shanghai and Suzhou. The Beijing itinerary included Tiananmen Square, Mao Mausoleum, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Peking Opera, Great Wall, Summer Palace, Peking duck dinner, Silk Alley, and a hutong tour. In Shanghai, in addition to an Acrobatic Show and a tour of the Bund, Old Town, and the Poudong Special Economic Zone, there were business visits to the American Consulate General for a presentation by the Principal Commercial Officer, and to IBM/East China for a presentation by the General Manager, as well as a luncheon presentation by the Deputy Director of China Operations, US-China Business Council. A full day tour to beautiful Suzhou included visits to the Humble Administrator’s and the Master of the Nets’ gardens, a silk factory, a local market and neighborhood and the canals of this “Venice of the East.”
The following are
excerpts of quotes that were provided by Sp 02 tour participants to Erika
Anderson following the tour for use in the writing of a Gannon Knight article,
and from essays on the educational value of the tour that were submitted by
recipients of China Study Tour Grants and/or students registered for the three
credit China Studies course, which was offered in conjunction with the
tour. Most of the following comments
are regarding the tour, although some pertaining to the three credit China
Studies course are also included.
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Going to China was
the greatest learning experience I have ever had. There is only so much a person can gather from reading about this
awesome country. To really understand-or
at least begin to understand-such an intriguing culture, one must see it to
believe it.
I believe it is
going to be hard for me to make another trip that will even come close to
comparing with this incredible adventure….The trip’s educational value is
immeasurable
China, for me, was
an awesome learning experience. ….I
would highly suggest that one go on
this trip.
Dara Andrews
Freshmen,
undergraduate Foreign Language major, and China Studies course student
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The China Study
Tour was superlative in every way. The accommodations were excellent,
comparable to luxury hotels in large cities anywhere, the food was varied and
enjoyable, and service was superb. The tour was very well organized. I learned
so much about the culture and economy of China. I defy anyone to find a way to
experience so much for such a small amount of money.This trip is the deal of
the century! What a trip! I could go on
and on.
Robert F. Brooker,
Ph.D
Professor of Economics,
Dahlkemper School of Business, Gannon University
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No photo, textbook,
CD-ROM, video tape or movie can capture the China experience like this
trip. Everyday I think about some new
aspect of the trip. It is truly was one
of the best events of my lifetime.
The tour was
extremely well organized.
This course added
immeasurable to my graduate education.
Gannon University is preparing its students to participate actively,
rather than view the world from the sidelines.
Please continue to
support this valuable educational experience through funding for faculty and
worthy students.
….priceless real
world experience.
Roseann Mucci
Graduate student at
Lebanon Valley College and enrolled in the independent study version of the
three credit China Studies course
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The China Experience
was terrific! …Visiting China has really left an impression on me.
Dr. Mahan did an
excellent job in the planning of the Splendid China Tour. I sincerely felt the trip encompassed all
aspects of the Chinese society; the historical sites, a glimpse into regular
life and culture, local foods, and the growing Chinese industrial picture. Our accommodations were very pleasant and I
felt that the meals included a nice balance of foods….
The price of the
tour for what we saw and how easily we moved from place to place was terrific.
Diane Ziegler
Graduate Student
and China Studies course student
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Experiencing such a
different way of life is important for all of us. It makes us more tolerant,
more interested in the world as a community, and, above all, gives us the
realization that no matter where we live, we all laugh, and cry, and love.
Neala Ferralli
Gannon Alumni (1982
Master in Counseling) and wife of Physics Professor Michael Ferralli
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I thought that the
trip to china in part with Gannon University's Dr. Mahan of the IB dept. was
most enjoyable, informative, and eye opening.
I have never been immersed in such a culture difference before visiting
the cities of Beijing, Souzhou, and Shanghai in the People's Republic of China.
I highly recommend
this trip to anyone remotely interested in expanding on their worldly traveling
experiences and anyone who wants to have a productive and enjoyable spring
break. …
This trip is well
worth it!
…. Wonderful
experience in China.
Vincent Proy
Undergraduate LECOM
student enrolled in one credit China Study Tour course
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The China tour
experience was more than I could have dreamed of. ..I was constantly impressed and gratified with the tour
experience. ..the learning
opportunities were incredible. Dr.
Mahan deserves much thanks and credit for giving us this priceless experience.
And the cost was incredibly reasonable for all that was included! Having taken classes in Dr. Mahan’s China
Studies course ahead of the trip was absolutely invaluable.
…I would recommend
that people considering this trip in the future do it.
The China Tour was
a fabulous experience… This was the
trip of a lifetime and I would recommend it highly to anyone.
Ray Feroz
MBA student and
China Studies course student
Going to visit
China was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned many great things about the country and its people…
Overall, it was a very interesting experience seeing how people in other parts
of the world act and think..
I highly recommend
that this trip be offered again next
year. I think that it is an experience
that many people should try.
I really enjoyed to
China and I would love it if I had the opportunity to do it again.
LeAnne Hudson
Undergraduate
International Business major and China Studies course student
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The China Study
Tour was an amazing experience….China made an impression on me. I’ve traveled to many countries and also
learn an immense amount, but nothing has affected my overall thinking and
perspective as much as my trip to China.
China was like one
giant classroom.
I could never
convey the way this experience looked, smelled, sounded, and felt – everyone
should attend this tour. It can only be
experienced first hand. Having the
educational experience was priceless,… I will never forget this experience.
Erika Anderson
Senior,
undergraduate Business Administration major and China Studies course student
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The China Study
Tour has been the most overall rewarding experience in my life…. As for
educational value, I don’t think that it could have gotten any better.
Any student that is
interested in going on the Splendid China Tour, I recommend it whole-heartedly.
It has been such a memorable experience that I really can’t explain how
touching it really was
Sarah McCollim
Undergraduate and
China Studies course student
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The tour to China
was a valuable experience for me in many ways…
The cost of the
trip was very reasonable.
I would highly
recommend this class and this tour to any student interested…It is reasonably
priced, well planned and an unforgettable experience.
Brenda Sanford
MBA student and
China Studies course student
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The trip was an
awesome experience, and I would recommend to anyone interested in exploring
other countries and cultures. I am
normally not one to partake in a group tour, preferring to explore on my own,
at my own pace. While the group tour
does not allow for the flexibility of exploring on your own, it also eliminates
a whole pile of hassles. The group tour is probably the best way for a first
trip to a country like China which presents significant barriers in language,
politics, etc. Furthermore, we
definitely saw a lot more than I would have on my own.
As far as
highlights of the trip for me, the most significant would just have to be the
value of the overall experience of learning another culture which is so
different from our own. This was greatly enhanced by the historical and
cultural background we received as a result of taking the class prior to going
on the trip. It really was beneficial, and I would highly recommend studying
the historical, cultural, political, and economic aspects of a country prior to
visit, especially since it is so different from our own. Before the class, I
knew so little about China. And while I just barely scratched the surface
before leaving, it added so much for me.
I cannot overstress the value this added!
Other highlights
included:- The Great Wall (of course)- The visit to the U.S. Consulate General
FCS (I could have spent all day talking to these people, asking them questions.
Please be sure to include this on future visits!) This visit made me want to
apply for a job with the US Consulate!- The Tour Guide - Jenny added so much to
the experience. It was great to be able to talk to her during downtime, to
learn even more about the country and culture)- The fun of negotiating with the
various vendors. Not trying to squeeze every last Yuan out of them, but just
participating in this ritual which is really a part of their culture.- The
visit to the family's house on the Hu Tong Tour. It was really eye-opening to
see how modestly a 2 professional income couple lives in China in comparison to
the US. However, my lasting impression was that this man was happy. I suppose this is a lot more than you
bargained for.
The experience…is
one that we will never forget.
Rick Parisi
MBA student and
China Studies course student
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It is my feeling
that traveling to a China, and spending time immersed in the culture has left
an indelible mark on my brain. This has proven to be much more enriching than
classroom study alone. Having said this, the classroom study was very important
because I would not have been aware of many of the things that were occurring
around me without the primer I received from the class work.
With all due
respect to classroom instruction, learning a contrasting culture is accelerated
when the individual in absorbed into that world. Every minute can be a learning experience. Information is
received and processed in all forms with all the senses. In addition to sight and sound, the student
receives data in the form sensations, tastes, and smells. You are taking
information about the country nearly every waking moment; it occurs as you
visit the sites, as you transport even as you eat. It is one new experience
after another.
It was truly a
memorable experience.
Ed Niederriter
MBA student and
China Studies course student
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Visiting China was
the trip of a lifetime. I spent 3 weeks
in Japan, but didn’t get the learning experience I got during my 7 days in
China. The trip was planned to
perfection. I’m still amazed at how
much I saw, and how much I learned during the short period I was there.
This was a trip I’d
recommend to anybody. It was the most
affordable trip I have ever been a part of…. Everything on the trip was first
class, from the travel arrangements, to the hotels, to the meals.
What I think made
the trip educational was the 3 –credit course that is offered with it….I think
the 3 credit course should be offered every time…because of the learning value.
…the Splendid China
Tour was an experience I’ll never forget.
Going to China was
great and I will recommend it to anybody…It was definitely the best spring
break break I’ve ever had.
Paul Sallie
Undergraduate,
International Business major and China Studies course student