2011 Chinese Bridge to American Schools Trip

Seventeen educators and state leaders from South Carolina took part in the 2010 Chinese Bridge to American Schools Delegation to learn about the Chinese culture, language, and education system. The delegation represented a broad spectrum of South Carolina constituents: State Senator Daniel Verdin, III; House Representative Mark Willis; members from the State Board of Education and the South Carolina Department of Education; college deans; as well as school district and school-level administrators. The group toured schools and met with Chinese national and regional leaders in Beijing and Guilin, establishing unique school partnerships. Education leaders were invited on this educational trip as guests of the Hanban/Confucius Institute. Hanban provided crucial sponsorship funding for the trip.

The Hanban/Confucius Institute, located in Beijing, is a public institution affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education and is committed to providing Chinese language and cultural teaching resources and services worldwide. The non-profit organization contributes to the development of multiculturalism by implementing policies and development plans for promoting Chinese language internationally.

The trip deepened the delegation's understanding of Chinese culture and language while building support for the Confucious Institute's Chinese Language Education Initiative in South Carolina's schools.