Gotta Travel On

A few people have been curious about this China trip I've been talking about. There's an organization called the Cultural Expoloration of Greater China (culturalexploration.org) that raises money each year to send Seattle area teachers to China during the summer. The teachers can then use their experience in China and integrate it into their classrooms. By seeking teacher who are able to best able to integrate the information in this way (I happen to teach a curriculum for 10th grade that focuses on world cultures and definitely can include more about China) they hope to provide a current world view of China in today's classrooms. The trip expenses are covered by the organization - travel, lodging, tour fees, etc. and the entire trip itinerary is organized by this group. I don't know too many specifics about where exactly we're going yet but the general itinerary states that we'll have ten days in mainland China, two days in Hong Kong, and four days in Taipei. In previous years they have explored the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tianamen Square, as well as the Terra Cotta Warriros. In Taipei, they've visited Chinese schools and met with current Chinese teachers and students to compare educational systems.

They have an application and interview process. I applied in February, was interviewed in March and heard at the end of March from my references that they had been contacted to provide a reference for me. Then, this week I received an email offering me a spot on this year's trip, to which I obviously said a big, fat "YES!". They are only sending four teachers from the greater Seattle area so to be chosen is a huge honor and I am THANKFUL. To anyone who is skeptical of the organization in any way, another Federal Way teacher went last year and made it back alive with lots of good stories to tell.

The next steps involve writing an article about myself to be published on the culturalexploration website and meeting with the team in May to go over important trip information such as the nitty gritty of overseas travel (getting a visa, flu shot information). Thankfully, my passport is still going to be valid so that's one thing out of the way already. The trip itself will be 16 days, beginning in July and ending in early August. I'm going to be on the hunt for affordable, comfortable, and easily hand washable travel clothing as well as a new water bottle that doesn't leak and...well, let's face it, probably a lot of other things that I'll think up along the way. Send your travel tips my way, please......