Dec. 8, 2005 --The Global Student Leaders from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will be traveling to China on Dec. 27, as part of the prestigious Global Student Leader Program.  

This year, student leaders will experience China, traveling through the country on a seven-day excursion. They will tour Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, visiting historical landmarks such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, and Tiananmen Square. The students will also be treated to Chinese specialties such as a Peking duck dinner, Tai Chi Chuan exercises, and an acrobatics show. Most likely, the students will visit a university within the country and interact with other students. 

The four students attending are Rachel Smith, a sophomore from Jonesboro; Kristen Rowe, a junior from Stamps; Amanda Payne, a junior from Cabot and Marvin Alexander, a junior from Chicago, Ill.

Each person must go through a rigorous interview and application process to even be selected as a Global Student Leader. About six to eight students are chosen for an annual trip. In an effort to teach cultural diversity, prior to leaving, the students study the country, its people, education system, and government process.

The Global Student Leader program began in 2000. Previous trips have been taken to Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Norway, Italy, and Germany.

“It is perhaps the single most important leadership experience of my life. The opportunity to connect with people from another culture and visit so many interesting historical landmarks was amazing,” said Jake Hampton, who attended the Global Student Leader program in Italy last year.

This year, ASU has teamed up with EF tours, which will enable the students to experience more of the countryside and to also interact with many local families, said Shawn Smee, associate dean of student development and leadership. In addition, he said that EF tours and has taken extraordinary precautions over concerns of bird flu. 

For more details, contact Shawn Smee, associate dean of student development and leadership, at 870-972-2837 or via email at smee1@astate.edu.