Twenty students from Hawai‘i public and charter high schools were awarded full scholarships for the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council’s 2008 summer study tour to China and Taiwan. Among the students represented, two were from Kaua‘i: sophomore Marc Abundo and
Twenty students from Hawai‘i public and charter high schools were awarded full scholarships for the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council’s 2008 summer study tour to China and Taiwan.
Among the students represented, two were from Kaua‘i: sophomore Marc Abundo and senior Mallory Miner. Other awardees represent schools on O‘ahu, Maui, Lana‘i and the Big Island.
Moanalua High School teacher Melissa Goo was selected to join the group as a chaperone. In addition, two students and one teacher from Waianae High School’s Searider Productions will accompany the group to shoot a documentary. Students depart today from Honolulu. This program was funded by a grant from Freeman Foundation.
Students will travel for 16 days with stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Guiyang, Taipei and Kaohsiung. They will be in Beijing just weeks before the Olympic Games begin and witness the transformation as China prepares to step onto the world stage. Over the past decade the country has experienced a booming economy and increased urbanization. However, rapid development is also cause for environmental concern. A home stay in a minority village in Guiyang, a visit to Shanghai’s famed Bound and partnerships with schools in Beijing and Taipei will introduce students to a few of the many faces of modern China.
The one-week orientation the students received this past week should provide them with an introduction to China’s history, culture and language.
Recipients were selected based on interest in China and international affairs, financial need, academic achievement, character and involvement’s in PAAC’s high school program.
PAAC is a nonprofit that serves as the World Affairs Council for the state of Hawai‘i. It promotes increased understanding of world affairs, particularly Asia-Pacific issues, by sponsoring speaker forums and conferences, facilitating cross-cultural exchange of international visitors and conducting global education outreach programs at Hawai‘i high schools and community colleges statewide.
