The 7th Grade program itinerary is built in close collaboration with The Chinese Language Institute (CLI), our program operator in Taiwan. CAIS students are placed in a host family in Tainan, with a host sibling from a local school. Host families house CAIS students throughout their time in Tainan, dropping CAIS students off at a predetermined time and location each school day for small-group Chinese classes and excursions. Host families are selected and endorsed by partnerschool, vetted and trained by CLI staff.

Highlights of the 2024 program in Nantou, Tainan, and Taipei included:

• Embarking on a guided hiking excursion at Maolan Mountain
• Making aiyu jelly
• Taking a wilderness survival workshop in small groups, including survival shelter construction and wilderness rescue
• Enjoying an evening performance and games with local indigenous musicians
• Participating in cultural and outdoor breakout activities including trap-making
• Exploring Sun Moon Lake’s pedestrian area during a language scavenger hunt, followed by stipend dinners at the local night market
• Learning traditional bead threading and Chinese postcard activities at our accommodations
• Discovering the Ci’en Pagoda
• Spending the afternoon at Chongming Middle School with student buddies and engaging in cultural exchange activities
• Pairing up CLI Chinese teachers and CLI program leaders for the Discover Tainan Scavenger Hunt
• Exploring the historic Anping Quarter in small groups
• Embarking on an excursion to the vibrant Madou Datian Temple
• Engaging in small group activities at the Ten Drum Cultural Village
• Sampling traditional Taiwanese snacks at the Dadong Night Market
• Enjoying language activities and challenges on Guohua Jie
• Participating in a traditional martial arts class and discussion on Eastern philosophy with a local master
• Traveling to a Chinese medicine garden outside of the city, to harvest traditional herbs and make your own medicinal tea
• Shadowing student buddies at Minde Middle School
• Working on final Chinese language projects
• Presenting Chinese language projects during a festive group dinner with your fellow classmate, program leaders, and homestay families
• Enjoying group hotpot lunch in Ximending
• Embarking on a city tour of Taipei via walking and public transportation Discover significant cultural sites including the colorful Longshan Temple Huashan Creative Park, and Syntrend Digital Plaza
• Learning about modern Taiwanese history and witness the changing of the guards at the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
• Hiking up Xiangshan, also known as Elephant Mountain
• Ascending Taipei 101 for panoramic views of the city
• Enjoying small group dinners at Raohe, one of Taipei’s most popular night markets
• Dividing into teams of 5-7 students for a self-designed city tour in Taipei utilizing public transportation.

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