ast summer, eight University of Bridgeport students, along with 16 students from other colleges, left for China under the supervision of mathematics Professor Xinlong Weng. The program was sponsored and administered by Hangzhou University of Commerce in China. UB students who participated were: Alicia Armistead, Andrea Buccino, Jamie Crockett, Andrea Koehler, Lucas McCloud, John Musser, Ola Ogunye, and Ryan Vicino.

  The program's aim was to teach English to high school and lower level Chinese students. Also known as the "English Village," it was set up for two weeks at Hong Yu Middle School, in Liu Qiao, approximately 6 hours south of Shanghai. It ran for two, two-week sessions with each class having an average of 25 students. Classes were taught for four hours each day, which included time spent in the classrooms and outside. Although no strict curriculum was followed in the teaching, the program administrators provided an English textbook, which many felt was insufficient. Rather, they opted to teach by sharing their knowledge and experience.

  Time outside the classrooms was spent playing basketball with the students, talking to them and local sightseeing.

  The goal of the program was to help Chinese students improve their English speaking skills by learning from and interacting with American students. It also provided the American teachers with an opportunity to learn Chinese and experience the culture while intermingling with their students.

  "This was more than just a trip," said Professor Weng, who was overwhelmed with the success of the program. "There were two benefits: one for the Chinese students and one for our students. While our students were able to help open the minds and 'mouths' of the Chinese students, they themselves underwent a big learning experience."

  "They came in contact with ordinary Chinese people. I believe that definitely had an impact on our students and their views," he added.

  In China, the teachers also traveled to Shanghai and Beijing, visiting the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall among other sites.

  "I am interested in Chinese culture and I went for the experience. But what I really enjoyed was teaching and just meeting people," said Alicia Armistead. She was also amazed at how family-oriented the Chinese were. "They admired our independence and were excited simply because we were foreigners," she added.

  "After the success of the trip, Prof. Weng is looking forward to organizing it again next year with hopes of expanding the program to include more American students and faculty members. "Our students need to be administered more closely. I'd also like to have one of our English professors select the teaching material. Then we could have a short training session before leaving," he said. Prof. Weng has even more plans for the future. He wishes to see UB grow as an international campus and become a "center" for information about China, and eventually for other countries too.

  To the students who are interested for next year, Andrea Buccino said, "You should go with lots of ideas, bug-spray and toilet-paper --- bring lots of them."