Earth Systems Science, Inc.

ESSI's Global Reach 2

Aug 09, 2002

Seeds were planted for a possible future outdoor environmental training program in P.R. China. ESSI submitted an informal proposal to the Shanghai Hengshang Travel Group and Aurora Schools (a leading private educational group in Shanghai) for a pilot Summer English Science Summer Camp.

This innovative program has multiple goals based on mutual respect and mutual benefit for the key players.

ESSI would provide the educational curricular materials and native English-speaking trainers. Los Angeles area youth with an opportunity to do "teach back" environmental science lessons to Chinese students. This gives the American students international travel experience and cross-cultural contact as well as an opportunity to use their ESSI training.

Shanghai Hengshang Travel Group would provide all related travel services for the program, including national and local guides. This provides an opportunity for Hengshang guides to learn more about applied Geography, environmental awareness, and ecotourism methods as well as educating Chinese youth about tourism industry job opportunities.

Aurora Schools would provide access to the qualified Chinese students (mostly secondary and some college students) for the pilot program. These students would have a opportunity to develop and improve their practical English language skills directly related to the areas of environmental science, mathematics, and related technology.

Manager Zhouwei is enthusiastic about the pilot project concept. "There are many details to be studied and discussed," he said during a recent meeting with Greg Lee in Shanghai. "We need to do a feasibility study." Madame Zhang of the Aurora Schools was not able to attend the meeting with Zhou and Lee. But Manager Zhou will be following up and meeting with Aurora School officials to discuss the proposal.

ESSI and Hengshang will collaborate to select a suitable outdoor location for the pilot program. The destination, curriculum, administrative coordination and overall logistics all factor into the program costs. If possible, we hope to introduce the camping outdoor experience to urban Chinese youth.

LA area youth interested in qualifying for this program should consider the following preparatory steps:
1) Join the Expo Rangers to gain knowledge, skills, and experience in the ESSI Geography and environmental outdoor curricular materials and related technologies (use the Expo Neighbors in "Our Hotlinks" in the green sidebar to the left);

2) Participants must be native English-speakers. One of the goals for the Chinese students is to improve their English speaking and listening skills. Thus LA youth participating in the project should have nearly "standard" American English pronunciation and language skills.

3) Have a valid passport for international travel. US citizens can visit http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html
If you are not a US citizen, contact your national Embassy or LA area consular office.

4) Start raising and saving funds for the trip. This program may cost about $2000 per person. If you start now, need to target a savings goal of about $44 per week. Get together with other prospective student participants and community organizations and be creative about raising funds to support your goal.

5) Explore the value of international experience in your educational plan. As an Information Age worker in a global economy, more and more employers are valuing international and cross-cultural experience in employees.

For more information, contact Gregory Lee, earthsystemsscience@yahoo.com

Disclosure Note: This pilot project is the concept of Gregory Lee, co-founder of ESSI. Greg has been conducting China travel arrangements with Manager Zhouwei of the Shanghai Hengshang Travel Group since July 2000. Greg is also an Honorary Board Member and Visiting Professor to the Aurora Schools in Shanghai.

Copyright 2002, Earth Systems Science, Inc. All rights reserved.