2024 China Deep Dive: Global Young Leaders Program

The following are two subsidized study-abroad summer programs offered by Peking University for summer 2024. If you are interested in applying for them, please follow the instructions at the end and also email Diana Chen Lin (dchenlin@iu.edu) for a recommendation for the trip you want to undertake.

Youth worldwide is facing many complex global challenges; hence future leaders must take on a global perspective in order to adequately understand local, global, and cross-cultural issues. As the world’s two most important nations, the United States and China have the responsibility to promote world peace and shared prosperity. It is crucial for future American leaders to gain a better understanding of China.

In summer 2024, in collaboration with partner universities in the U.S., Peking University will launch the “Academic Explorers in China” program as a part of the “China Deep Dive: Global Young Leaders Program.” Selected students will attend lectures on the Peking University campus and go on guided trips in and outside Beijing. Students from PKU will also participate to better facilitate a deeper understanding of each other, their respective culture and values, and their home country, and to begin lifelong friendships that will stay with them as they grow into leadership roles in the near future.

Program Information
The program combines both classroom and field studies, with lectures by Peking University professors and being held at Peking University, followed by trips in and outside Beijing.

Highlights for Route One: “Zhejiang + Shanghai”
Beijing: Academic Interaction and the Long Corridor of Culture and History

• PKU Professors: China’s Development and Globalization
• Guided visit to the Great Wall and the Palace Museum: Discovering Ancient China’s Historical Wonders

Hangzhou: Digital Economy and Chinese Civilization

• Visit Corporations Experiencing Rapid Growth in Logistics, Kitchen Appliances, and Digital Management: Understanding China’s Digital Economy
• Visit the Liangzhu Museum: Exploring the Origins of 5,000 Years of Chinese Civilization History
• Visit the Xiling Seal Art Society and the China Sigillography Museum: Experiencing China’s Traditional Stone Seal Engraving Culture and China’s UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Huzhou: Natural Beauty and Smart Agriculture

• Visit a Popular Tea House in Anji Town: Taste China’s Renowned White Tea and Explore the Creative Integration of Traditional Tea Culture and Smart Agriculture
• Tour of the Grand Canal of China (the Longest Canal in the World): Explore the Dynamic Interaction of Inland Waterway Transport and Economic Development at a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ningbo: The Rise of Intelligent Manufacturing and China’s “Industry 4.0” Revolution

• Visit China’s Largest Vertically-Integrated Knitwear Manufacturer: Enter the Traditional Textile Industry and Witness Intelligent Manufacturing Upgrading
• Visit the Smart Factory of the Newest Luxury EV Brand from Geely Holding Group, Zeeker: Learning about China’s Automotive Modernization and Strategic Industrial Policy

Shanghai: Global Outlooks and Urban Night Economy

• Visit L’ORÉAL China Headquarters: Looking at China’s Global Transition from the Perspective of International Corporation’s Localization Strategy
• Night Tour of Huangpu River: Experiencing Shanghai’s Vitality and Dynamism at Night
• Visit Yangshan Deep-Water Port: Examining a Blueprint of China’s Port Economy at the World’s Busiest Container Port

Highlights for Route Two: “Shaanxi + Sichuan”

Beijing: Academic Interaction and the Long Corridor of Culture and History

• PKU Professors: China’s Development and Globalization
• Guided visit to the Great Wall and the Palace Museum: Discovering Ancient China’s Historical Wonders

Shaanxi: Historical Silk Road Development and Contemporary Innovative Technology

• Visit China’s Shaanxi Pilot Free Trade Zone: A New Trade Center, a Testing Ground for Global Supply Chain Transformation, and a Center For High-quality Development
• Visit BYD Auto’s Manufacturing Facility Area: Directly Observing Technological Innovation-Driven “Made in China” at the World’s Biggest Manufacturing Area for New Energy Vehicles (NEV)
• Visit the Terra Cotta Warriors and National Archaeological Site Park of Qin Shihuang, the First Emperor of China: Exploring a Unified Civilization, the Symbol of an Era
• Visit Shaanxi History Museum: Pursuing the Origin of Chinese Nation and the Huaxia Civilization

Sichuan: The Digital Economy and Cultural Tourism Industry

• Visit China’s First National Supercomputing Center: Exploring China’s Strategy of Channeling Computing Resources from the East to the West
• Visit TONGWEI GROUP: Understanding the Industry Wisdom of Countercyclical Design from a Photovoltaic Industry Leader
• Visit the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding: A Pleasant Journey to the Pandas’ Hometown and a Wonderful Bonding with the Pandas
• Watch a “Bian Lian” Show (i.e., Face-changing performance): Experiencing Ancient Chinese Dramatic Art, a Traditional Form of Sichuan Opera

Program Dates
Route One: Zhejiang + Shanghai: June 29-July 8, 2024
Route Two: Shaanxi + Sichuan: July 9-July 19, 2024

Program dates start with arrival at Peking University and end with conclusion of selected program/route. All participants are expected to arrive at and depart from Beijing, hence any duration outside the above program dates is the sole responsibility of the participants.

Selection Criteria
Current full-time students attending a partner American university, holding valid U.S. passports that do not expire before January 20, 2025.

• Well-rounded, ambitious, physically and mentally healthy, and demonstrating excellent leadership potential and a broad international vision.
• Display international interest and have outstanding academic performance.
• The applicant should not already have extensive China experience.
• Each partner university may recommend 8-10 students with diverse academic field, economic, ethnic, and social backgrounds, by April 15, 2024. Recommendation package is to include student resume and an essay (below).

Scholarship
Merit-based scholarships, ranging from $1,000.00-3,000.00 USD, are awarded for insightful program essays, combined with candidate’s overall academic standing and community service. Decisions for acceptance to the program and scholarship reward are made at the same time by early May.
In 500-1,000 words, submit an essay on one of the following two topics.
1) Why do you consider it important for American and Chinese students to understand each other better?
2) Describe an incident during which you become aware that you had an inaccurate stereotype about somebody with a different background. Alternatively, describe a situation where you yourself were treated in a stereotypical manner. What did you do in that situation and what did you learn from it?

Program Expenses
Peking University will cover all in-country expenses including meals and lodging, domestic transportation, program and course related tuition. Students are responsible for their travel arrangement and expenses between the United States (or other originating countries and regions) and China. Should the student wish to and plan to stay in China before and after the end of the program (outside the aforementioned program dates), all such expenses incurred will be borne by the students themselves.

Insurance
Peking University will purchase a uniform comprehensive medical insurance for international students studying in China from Chinese domestic insurance providers.

Visa
Students are required to submit documents pertaining to their acceptance to this Program to their respective Chinese embassy or consulate to apply for an X2 visa in order to come to China.

International Students Division Contact Information:
Email: study@pku.edu.cn Tel: (86-10)-62751230
Fax: (86-10)-62751233
Website: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn
Address: New Sun Student Center, Peking University, Haidian District, Beijing 100871,
China