CNMI students, teachers invited to join China-US youth camp

For the first time, 100 CNMI students (and teachers) have been invited to participate in the upcoming 2024 Global Youth Conference & China-U.S. Youth Camp that will be hosted in Beijing, China, all expenses paid. However, due to lack of flight accommodations, booking flights have proven to be challenge for the program’s CNMI facilitators and organizers.

Last week, Li Xue, a representative from the China Education Association for International Exchange, visited Saipan to put together a group to help recruit CNMI students to participate in the upcoming 2024 Global Youth Conference & China-U.S. Youth Camp that will be held in Beijing, China from July 11 to July 24.

This program aims to immerse U.S students in cultural exchange and friendship-building in Beijing and Jinan.

Throughout the conference, students will engage in diverse activities such as insightful lectures on Shandong’s history, experiential workshops covering topics like e-commerce and traditional Chinese music, and interactive events like the China-U.S. Youth E-Games and tree planting for friendship.

Students will also dive deep into local communities and schools for a firsthand look at everyday life and home stay opportunities.

In addition, through the program, Chinese students will also have the opportunity to travel to the U.S. in the winter.

Through the help of the China Education Association for International Exchange and sponsors, the trip will be an all-expense paid one for 100 CNMI students (ages 14 -28) and teacher with their only expense being personal ones (such as souvenirs and snacks) and travelers insurance.

According to CNMI facilitators Maryann Borja Arriola and Jian Qing Zheng, so far, about 35 students and teachers from Saipan have signed up for the program and are hoping to have more students from Tinian and Rota to sign up.

However, due to the program only funding a round-trip ticket from Saipan to Beijing, students from Rota and Tinian will have to purchase their own tickets from their respective islands to Saipan.

Although an amazing opportunity for CNMI students, the challenge to secure group flights faced by local facilitators could hamper the trip.

Specifically, due to the lack of cost-effective airlines in the CNMI, finding accommodations for such a large group has been difficult.

“Although we would like to have 100 students join the program, we are unable to secure group flights. We need the help of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, Marianas Visitors Authority, and the administration to possibly accommodate this trip for our students,” said the program’s local facilitators.

However, nothing is set in stone yet and interested students are encouraged to sign up before the closing date of June 24.

Interested participants may sign up at https://forms.gle/q9a6PAEEo2nLC5yCA.

Interested participants may also contact program facilitator Maryann Borja Arriola at 670-785-6364.

Aside from filling out an application form, students must submit an authorization letter or power of attorney as well as a liability waiver.

Eligibility requirements for the program are as follows:

• Participants must be currently enrolled in an accredited school at the time of application;

• Have a proven academic track record equivalent with a GPA of 3.5 or above;

• Have demonstrated ability to interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds, and strong leadership capability; Experiences in a senior leadership position of a student-led organization is a plus;

• Committed to prepare a project of interest for presentations, discussions and dialogues with Chinese student counterparts as designated by the program;

• Have the willingness to advance a deeper understanding of China and its culture while build mutual understanding and friendship between U.S. and China for the future; and

• Applicants must hold American citizenship.