Iona will celebrate the Year of the Dragon by kicking off the college’s first Study Abroad trip to China this summer. With the exception of a semester program in Australia, all of the Study Abroad opportunities offered by Iona are in Europe.

This latest development of the Study Abroad Program delves into a new and exciting world and promises students a unique cultural and educational experience sure to benefit them in today’s global economy.

Study Abroad recently approved the three-week summer program following much hard work and preparation on the part of the Study Abroad staff as well as a few interested Iona faculty.

The trip is scheduled from May 24 through June 13 this year, and the itinerary is jam-packed with sightseeing and immersion in some of the most prominent places in world history.

Operating on the motto “from the ancient to the new,” this excursion divides its time between several Chinese cities and aims to expose students to two different perspectives on China: the China described in history books and China as the modern economic powerhouse of today.

The first week of the program will be spent in China’s capital, Beijing. Exploration of this region combines ancient cultural aspects of the country with a taste of its modern business district. Sights to be seen include the famous Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall.

Four days will then be spent in the ancient Chinese capital of Xi’an, a prime example of an ancient Chinese walled city. Here students will tour the Qin Terra Cotta Army Museum, among other locations. The discovery of these artifacts was perhaps the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century. The natural scenery of China will also be explored throughout the program and, while in Xi’an, students can enjoy the Huaqing Hot Springs.

Following the four days in Xi’an, the group will then experience a three-day stay in the city of Guilin, nestled in a picturesque landscape of mountains and valleys, bamboo groves and nearby terraced fields. Sightseeing here will include such natural landmarks as the Reed-Flute Cave with its fascinating geological formations and the Li River Cruise.

The final days of the program will be spent in Shanghai, with two overnight trips to Suzhou and Hangzhou. The stay also includes a visit to an international business, as well as a continuation of natural sightseeing with another river cruise.

The one-day stay in the city of Suzhou adds to the cultural and natural immersion with trips to the Hanshan Temple and Wang Shi Garden as well as a visit to the local market area.

Four three-credit courses are offered through this program: SCS 346, BUS 998, BUS 410CH and FPA 490. SCS 346 is titled Intercultural Communication: Skills for the 21st Century and it focuses on the intricacies of communication between different cultures, including business and cultural relations between the U.S. and China. Students will be provided with ample opportunities to utilize learned communication skills throughout the trip.

Basic cost for the trip is $6950 per student, which includes everything except airfare to and from China, spending money and some meals. Important amenities included are accommodations at local 4-star hotels and a full-time English-speaking guide for all cities. Airfare to and from China is estimated at $1500 and it is recommended that students bring $300 a week for personal spending.

This program was made possible by months of collaborative hard work between the Director of Study Abroad Dr. George Mangiero, Assistant Director Professor Robin Tedesco, Assistants to the Director Robert Bucci and Kalie Albrecht, Director of MBA Admissions at Hagan School of Business Ben Fan and Adjunct Professor of Speech Communication Deb Pagnotta.

This year, Pagnotta will be leading the program. She has expressed a great affinity for Chinese culture and brings with her many years of experience abroad.

“We think this trip will be useful to students across all ranges of study,” said Pagnotta. “We hope that the program this year lays the groundwork to develop a rich set of connections between Iona, its students and organizations and people in China.”

In preparation for Iona’s inaugural trip to China, enthusiasm is already brewing within the student population. To date, interest in the program has been expressed by many MBA students as well as some undergraduate students.

“Garnering staunch interest has been a particular challenge because the program has only been recently developed and approved in the midst of all the vicissitudes of the academic year,” said Bucci.