East China Study Tour | Classical & Modern Culture + Sister School Immersion (11 Days)

Cities: Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou Duration: 11 Days (Flexible) Core: Sister School Exchange (2 Days) Ideal for: Overseas learners (including non-heritage learners)

Program Highlights

A Multi-Layered Civilizational Perspective From the international architecture of Shanghai’s Bund to the classical aesthetics of the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou; from the 5,000-year-old Liangzhu archaeological site to the modern skyline of the Oriental Pearl Tower — this program connects ancient heritage and contemporary innovation. Students observe how “past” and “present” coexist, developing a nuanced understanding of Chinese civilization.

Task-Based Learning in Real Urban Contexts Moving beyond passive sightseeing, students engage in structured group tasks along Nanjing Road, in Tongli Water Town, and throughout Shanghai and Suzhou. During the sister school exchange, participants collaborate with Chinese peers, strengthening Mandarin proficiency and intercultural communication skills in authentic classroom environments.

Interdisciplinary Themes to Match Diverse Interests Whether exploring natural sciences at the Shanghai Natural History Museum, experiencing traditional storytelling arts such as Suzhou Pingtan, walking through historic water towns, or visiting contemporary cultural venues, students encounter a wide spectrum of themes that support both humanities and STEAM-oriented learning.

A Complete Educational Experience Cycle From opening ice-breaking sessions, to immersive sister school collaboration, and concluding reflection or presentation activities, the program follows a structured pedagogical cycle. Students gain knowledge, perspective, and lasting cross-cultural friendships through sustained interaction rather than one-time encounters.

Program Snapshot

PositioningSchool exchange + Task-Based Learning (TBL)

Learning FormatAuthentic dialogue, collaborative tasks, reflection, and presentations

Cultural ThreadClassical heritage + modern city culture in comparison

DeliverablesTask sheets, journals, and optional showcase support

Sister School Exchange Module

What differentiates this program is that the exchange is designed as a deliverable learning module—not simply a campus visit. We structure it into: relationship-building → joint activities & discussion → output & reflection.

FormatsClass observation · joint activities · small-group discussions · campus tour

Sample TopicsSchool culture, festivals, student clubs, youth lifestyle

Language TasksSelf-introduction, opinion sharing, Q&A, summarizing & feedback

Optional OutputsGroup posters · short speeches · exchange notes · reflection journals

Learning Outcomes

Language Practice: Complete real-context tasks (narrate, ask, collaborate, retell, summarize).
Intercultural Competence: Understand and respect differences; explain one’s own background clearly.
Cultural Literacy: Understand “heritage vs. innovation” through classical-modern contrasts.
Deliverable Outputs: Task sheets, journals, and showcase support (templates available).

Sample 11-Day Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival Shanghai & Program Kickoff

Goals: team norms · safety briefing · task framework

Arrival and orientation
Task framework & output briefing

Day 2 | Shanghai: Modern City Observation & Expression

Goals: observation-to-expression · team collaboration tasks

Oriental Pearl Tower
Nanjing Road (group tasks)
The Bund: past vs. present comparison task

Day 3 | Museum Task-Based Learning

Goals: knowledge transfer · guided task sheets

Shanghai Natural History Museum
Yuyuan Garden (group tasks)

Day 4 | Tongli Water Town: Community & Lifestyle Observation

Goals: cultural comparison · situational language practice

Tongli Water Town (group tasks)

Day 5–6 | Sister School Exchange (Core)

Goals: authentic dialogue · intercultural discussion · language output

Class participation, club interaction, joint activities
Discussion themes: school culture, festivals, youth lifestyles
Suggested outputs: exchange notes / reflection journals / group presentation (optional)