Skyline College is offering a study abroad program for students interested in traveling abroad to China this semester for two weeks.

The program curriculum offers Asian studies including: language, commerce, and culture program, is organized so that students will be able to communicate effectively not just through language but also get a sense of diverse Asian culture and the United States’ business relations with the Asian market.

The total cost to Study Abroad in China comes to $2800, which includes all of the following: registration and textbooks, roundtrip airline tickets, tickets for culture and field trips, ground transportation and travel insurance, lodging and food accommodation, and room and board. Items not included in the package are passport and visa fees, personal items, and personal expenses.

According to Professor Pate, the main organizer of the Study Abroad program, in previous semester years as summer of 2008, students brought back with them “life changing experiences.” Dr. Pate also says that “the program is popular among students to a certain extent, but the only drawback for some students in the cost.” Ryan Bela Rosa says, “The experience would be nice,” but financially speaking it would be difficult to follow through with it. However, this can be compensated with the help of financial aid and grants awarded to students who qualify.

Although the trip focuses on the grounds of education, students will have the opportunity to visit historical monuments such as the Great Wall of China, and acquire first hand practice in speaking Chinese while dining out. Andrew Murray, a student at Skyline says the cultural perspective and educational experience would be worth the trip. The opportunity to expand one’s education globally may be an enhancing experience to some, but according to Elizabeth Rodriguez, it is something she has thought about, but because of her “hectic life and obligations,” it would be difficult for her to pursue such a trip.