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.