* Study Tour *

2010 Peace and Reconciliation Study Tour to China

For Teachers and Educators

The New Jersey Alliance for Learning and Preserving the History of World War II in Asia (NJ-ALPHA) will sponsor two to three history, social science, and humanity secondary school/college teachers or educators to participate in the Peace and Reconciliation Study Tour to China (for short also called China Study Tour) during the summer of 2010.  The targeted teachers/educators are those teaching in the NJ/NY area or other parts of the Northeast U.S. This tour is organized by the Global Alliance for Preserving the History of World War II in Asia (GA) for its affiliate organizations.

This is the fifth year for NJ-ALPHA to sponsor teachers/educators to participate in such a tour. All the participants who have returned from these summer study tours have praised the experience as unforgettable and eye-opening, and it has changed their lives (see some sample testimonials included below).  For the 2010 China Study Tour, besides sending teachers and educators, we will also sponsor up to two college students.

You can help publicize the 2010 China Study Tour by posting this flyer on your school/organization's bulletin board.

Program Description:

This is an intensive program to enhance the participants' understanding of the cultural and historical background of China during the Asia-Pacific War 1931-1945. The study tour's schedule includes discussion of the history of Sino-Japan relations, visits to museums and historical sites, meeting with survivors of wartime atrocities, and participation in briefing sessions and lectures held by Chinese scholars, professors and educators. A main objective of the tour is to develop ideas and teaching material/methods in using and enhancing the New Jersey Curriculum Guide: "The Nanking Massacre and Other Japanese Atrocities Committed During the Asia-Pacific War: 1931-1945".

Tour Period: 15 days from July 21 to August 4, 2010. The tour will visit several cities in China including Beijing and Hebei Province [Chinese Anti-Japanese-Aggression Museum in Wanping, Shijiazhuang, Jiaozhuanghu (Tunnel Warfare Museum)], four stops in Yunnan Province (including interviewing with eyewitnesses and survivors of biological/chemical warfare), and other places of interest (final itinerary to be determined).

Expenses:

NJ-ALPHA is responsible for all group travel and accommodations (double occupancy) and meals in China during the period of the study tour. Current estimate for this cost is approximately $2,000 per participant; the cost may vary depending on gas price, currency conversion rate, etc. Participants are responsible for their own round trip ticket to and from China (including international airport taxes), visa/passport application fees.  These expenses are estimated to be approximately $1,200 -$1,600.  Participants are also required to have their personal medical and accident insurance covering the period of the study tour.  A $200.00 deposit is required and paid to NJ-ALPHA upon acceptance into the program; this deposit will be refunded upon submission of a reflection essay, a proposed lesson plan or equivalent educational project, or a public presentation after completion of the tour.

Application Details:

A completed application (click on "Application Form" button below) with all associated documents must be received by March 25, 2010. All history, social science, and humanity secondary school/college teachers and educators in the NJ/NY area, as well as other parts of Northeast U.S., are invited to apply.

Application can be submitted via email to njalpha2004@gmail.com, or via post office mail to:

NJ-ALPHA

P. O. Box 1121

Piscataway, NJ 08854

Applicants may be interviewed in person or over the phone by NJ-ALPHA or GA. Successful applications will be selected by NJ-ALPHA, and submitted to GA for final approval.  The successful applicants will be notified approximately around April 10, 2010.

Participants will be required to participate in one or more pre-study-tour workshops and meetings. Expectations for the teachers/educators include:

Testimonials from Participants of Previous China Study Tours:

• Doug Cervi
• Bob Holden
• Catherine Matysik
• Christine McSpirit
• Young Yoon
• Frances Flannery
• Steven Marcus
• Maryann McLoughlin
• Rosemarie Wilkinson
• Leah Brown-Klein
• Renqia Yu