The first part of the trip was to Beijing where students had an opportunity to meet with leaders of Hanban, an arm of the Chinese Ministry of Education. While in the capital city, the group also visited the Imperial Exam Building where government officials took tests necessary to advance in government positions.
Students toured Tiananmen Square, the historical site where the infamous 1989 student demonstrations ended in loss of life to many protestors. In addition, they also had the opportunity to visit the Imperial Palace and climb the Great Wall of China. Visiting these historical locations deepened students’ understanding of Chinese culture and history.
The doctoral students flew from Beijing to Xiamen, a garden city in southern China on the eastern coast not far from Taiwan. There, the group visited two Xiamen University campuses, met with university administrators, toured and observed classes at Xiamen International Language High School, and visited historic sites.
“[It] was a phenomenal experience that allowed your mind to grow to a global standard,” first year Education Doctoral student Dominique Smith said. “It enriched the fundamental aspects of tradition, education and history.”
The Department of Educational Leadership is thankful to the SDSU Confucius Institute for partnering and co-hosting the experience. The experience significantly impacted the cultural proficiency levels of the EDL students and helped move them to a “better best self” as school leaders.