Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Confucius Institute will host 17 students from Cypress Bay High School, Fort Lauderdale High School and Pompano Beach High School in a summer trip to China, July 14 – 31, 2015. Students will travel and visit historically and culturally significant locations throughout Beijing and the Jiangsu province, including the Confucius Institute headquarters, Tiananmen Square, Palace Museum and Great Wall of China.

During the trip, students will have the opportunity to experience and immerse themselves in the unique Chinese culture and traditions firsthand, including improving their language, reading and writing skills; calligraphy and painting, Tai Chi martial arts; dumpling making; and Chinese arts and music. As they travel, students will share their insights and experiences in blog stories.

“This is an incredible opportunity for these high school students to learn firsthand Chinese culture, which will help prepare them for success in the 21st Century,” said Bob McKinney, Advanced Studies Coordinator and Confucius Institute.

The Confucius Institute at Broward County Public Schools reaches 1,200 students and includes activities at one elementary school, two middle schools and four high schools promoting Chinese language and culture. BCPS is the first and only District in Florida to have a Confucius Institute.