SAN ANTONIO, TX (July 28, 2009) –

Twelve students from Alamo Colleges who spent 16 days traveling around China returned to San Antonio on July 12.  

The study tour was organized and chaperoned by Palo Alto College Economics Professor Joan Osborne, and San Antonio College Chinese instructor Len McClure.  
Alamo Colleges Coordinator of International Programs Mark Hagen provided $800 scholarships for students who enrolled in both Economic Geography and Beginning Chinese.

After three intensive weeks of Chinese and Economic Geography, the group headed for Beijing, the ancient capital of Xi-an, the rugged countryside around Guilin, and the modern metropolis of Shanghai.   

Students were encouraged to observe China off the beaten track, to wander the street markets, to check out local restaurants, and to interact with the Chinese people – in Chinese.   

Each student will write two papers: one on a topic related to how geography impacts China’s economy, and the other a journal – written in Chinese – about their experiences in China.

Caption info:  Pictured in front of the Great Wall are (from left): Celeste Najera (SAC), Naomi Woods (SPC and OLLU), Andrea Tou (NLC), Jeremy Tou (SPC), and Jacob Garcia (SAC).