SUBJECT:

CHINA TRIP, SUMMER 2005

GO TO CHINA this summer as AMBASSADORS OF PEACE with other UCSD and UC staff, faculty, students and alumni. Walk along the Great Wall of China! Visit Beijing, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. You will also attend a magnificent ceremony to celebrate good will between our two countries in a gesture of international educational communication. During the summers of 2001, 2002 and 2004, over 1000 students, staff, and faculty from UCSD participated in this event and experienced one of the most exciting, wonderful and educational times of their lives. UC staff and students from Irvine, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Davis, Los Angeles, Berkeley and the Office of the President also attended. UCSD staff/faculty/alumni and students have again been invited to participate in the "Silk Road to the Future" special event sponsored by The Legends of China Foundation, which is underwriting a significant part of the cost for each participant.

Again this year, immediate family members (including children 11 years of age and older) of students, faculty, staff and alumni are also invited. You may either (a) attend the Main [Beijing only] Trip (approximate dates, July 20-26*) at a cost of $1,276 OR (b) take the Main Trip plus an additional South China "Side Trip" (approximate dates, July 19-29*) to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Zhouzhuang for a cost of $1,766. A limited tour of Seoul, South Korea, is also available (add $485), as is an extended trip to Xi’an ($385), where the archeological excavation of the terra cotta soldier army is taking place at the tomb of China’s first true emperor (who also built most of the Great Wall). Included is round-trip airfare (from LAX), domestic airfare in China, 4/5-star hotel accommodations, all meals, ground transportation, tour guides, historical site tickets and full traveler health insurance.

REGISTRATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT:

http://programsabroad.ucsd.edu/pao/LOC.html.

For additional STUDENT information, contact the UCSD International Center, Programs Abroad Office at (858/534-1123). For FACULTY/STAFF/ALUMNI information and registration forms, contact Faculty/Staff/Alumni Trip Coordinator Loren Thompson at or 534-3544. Applications and full payment are due by March 1. All UCSD students, faculty, staff or alumni MUST have their eligibility to participate verified through designated trip coordinators for the Legends of China. As only 500 students, faculty and staff from top American universities may attend, it is recommended that you submit your application ASAP. Passports with Chinese visas are required by the time of departure.

The Silk Road to the Future event is sponsored by The Legends of China Foundation, a non-profit cultural organization based in Los Angeles and Beijing, China, in cooperation with UCSD and other UC campuses. UCSD is participating only in a support role to facilitate participation by students, faculty and staff who have chosen to make the trip.

*An updated notice will be sent once the trip dates are finalized.

Loren C. Thompson Assistant Vice Chancellor Student Educational Advancement Mary Dhooge, Director International Center