Chinese Teachers' Immersion Programme

The Diploma in Contemporary China, 3rd Intake – Shandong Immersion Programme

10 students of the Diploma in Contemporary China, 3rd intake, embarked on the Shandong Immersion Programme jointly organized by Confucius Institute, NTU and Shandong University early this year.  The students made a brief stopover at Beijing for some sight-seeing activities before spending approximately 2 weeks at Shandong University for a study excursion.  The students flew to Beijing on 22nd February 09 and safely returned to Singapore on 6th March 2009.

Stepping out into the streets of Beijing was a drastically different experience for these students accustomed to the tropical climate.  The dipping temperatures, the piles of snow that lined the streets and crumbled under their soles, the bald trees telling of fallen leaves etc. all served to embrace the students with a melancholic sense of wistfulness. 

Besides attending classes at the College of International Education at Shandong University, the students spent their free time visiting historic sites and scenic spots both in Beijing and Shandong.  Places visited in Beijing include the Beijing National Stadium aka the ‘Bird’s Nest’ and the Beijing National Aquatic Center aka the ‘Water Cube’.  Over in Shandong, the students marveled at the magnificent sight of the Daming Lake, the Baotu Spring, the 12 bronze sculptures of famed historical figures, Mount Taishan as well as the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu. 

One can thereafter fully grasp the notion that knowledge does not solely come from books but also through one’s travels.  Not only did students learn much about contemporary China during their classes, they were also able to experience the fast changing facades of an increasingly cosmopolitan China firsthand.