e-Planet: Magic Moments Fellowship

Teachers! Would you like to take your students to China for some Magic Moments in learning and fun? We can help you learn to create life-changing cross-cultural experiences, connecting your students with counterparts in China to share interests and teach each other language, art, music and games.

Two fellowships are offered this summer for teachers to learn how to conduct an educational China trip with his/her own students in the future.. If you qualify, you will engage in the first half of this fellowship by participating in an all-expense paid community service trip with our mentors and their students. On the trip, you will learn from experts how they create magical learning experiences for their students and the Chinese students they visit.

Interested in learning more about the program, please call Jim Caldwell 650-678-2493 or Jeannette Wei 650-678-2492 or email them at magicmomentsface2face@gmail.com

To apply for a Fellowship, download and complete the application from the URL below and submit. Deadline is March 27, 2010.

The 1990 Institute, is a non-profit U.S. think tank and charitable service organization, focusing on China's Economic and Social Development - www.1990institute.org. We have a close working relationship with the CNCC (China National Children's Center), a branch of the All China Women's Federation. They have been extremely helpful to us in arranging school introductions through their extensive nationwide network. Since we have strong relationships from past programs, we can call on the CNCC in the future if we want them to arrange some special activities for your students. Our website provides descriptions of past and current program activities: www.e-planet.org

Mr. Bill Kwong, the Asian Exchange Coordinator at Crystal Springs Uplands School, has taken students, teachers, administrators, and interested individuals to China and other Asian countries on study tours since 1991. The objectives of his tours are: community service, historical learning, people-to-people exchange, and cultural immersion. Local schools that have benefited from the tours include the Head-Royce School, the Castilleja School, the Cathedral School for Boys, the Chinese American International School, the Odyssey School, and the California Youth Symphony. This summer's tour will visit: Beijing, The Great Wall, Jiangyin, Shanghai and more.

Ms. Allison Lee is conducting another month-long community service program, concentrated in the City of Jiangyin in Jiangsu, China. Participants will spend most of the time teaching the English language, arts and crafts, music, sport activities, and American games to Chinese elementary school children. Weekend visits will take participants to Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Wuxi.

Allison came to the U.S. shortly after graduating from Taiwan University. Over the years, Allison has been deeply involved in teaching Chinese language to young people. Prior to her current position as the Mandarin Teacher at the Cathedral School for Boys in San Francisco, Allison served as the principal of the weekend Mandarin School in Hillsdale High School in San Mateo. While at Cathedral, Allison began the study tour program to China for her students. Allison's students also are recipients of awards and medals for many Mandarin speech contests in the Bay Area. Beginning in 2003, Allison started a sister school relationship with the Qiaoqi Experimental Primary School (www.21QX.com)(in Chinese only) in Jiangyin, Jiangsu (www.jiangsu.net/city/city.php?name=jiangyin)(in English with a Chinese option), China. Since then, she has brought her students to Jiangyin to teach and to learn. Her tireless effort had earned her praises from students, parents, teachers, and administrators both in China and in the U.S.

Some Magic Moments that occurred while Building Friendship through Art on the Environment:

When young people of two cultures meet and collaborate creatively in the universal language of art and environmental concerns, lasting bonds are formed that impact the future of individuals as well as nations. Young people’s friendships formed around a common concern for the environment can make a profound positive difference in the future of the planet and lead to a more sustainable and peaceful future world.

"It was a life changing experience!" --Eileen Carp, Hillview school

"My daughter Ariane loved the trip to China and painting the wall. It was certainly a trip of a lifetime for her." -- Sherry Kowtko, Hillview School

The Hillview school students visit Beijing and paint a mural together with Chinese children

"My teaching in Qiaoqi Elementary School was definitely not limited to just helping their students; It has also been a wonderful opportunity for me to grow as a better teacher and a better person. When I bring my own students to China next year, I hope they will acquire a better understanding and be aware of the fact that the American Way is not the only way and therefore learn to appreciate other cultures and other world-views." Karen Chu, 2007 Fellowship winner.