About SST China

Goshen College began to send students to China in 1980. The SST program was one of the first North American study abroad programs in post-revolutionary China. SST has always been based in Sichuan province and is currently located in the city Nanchong at West China Normal University. Students will live with hosts on or near this university campus.

Study

During the first six weeks the days will be divided into language and cultural study. Students will spend several hours each day studying Mandarin and listening to lectures about Chinese history and culture. Students will also have an opportunity to visit historical and cultural sites, such as the beautiful area in western Sichuan where one of the largest statues of Buddha can be seen and beautiful mount Emai will be explored.

Service

Students will leave Nanchong for smaller towns in western Sichuan province to assist with English classes in middle and high schools. All Chinese children must learn English and many are eager to hear a native English speaker.

At the end of the service portion of SST the group will leave Sichuan and travel north to Beijing. Along the way they will stop in the city of Xian and visit the site of the Ancient terra cotta warriors. They will travel by train from Xian to Beijing where they will visit the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Mao's tomb and other important sites. They will also have the opportunity to explore a portion of the Great Wall shortly before their return to Goshen.