“An American Cultural Experience” for
XieHe YoudeHigh School Students
July 2–21, 2016
The Sage Colleges
Troy and Albany, New York, USA
About the Program
The “American Cultural Experience” Summer 2016 Program will span a variety
of topics that surround three themes of interest: The Sciences, Culture and
History, and Sports. Students will have opportunities to experience American
customs, to participate in an active learning environment, and to gain a better
understanding of “real life” in America. The Sage Colleges is composed of
Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, and Sage College of Albany, New York,
the Capital City of New York. We offer more than 70 majors at the
undergraduate, certificate, and graduate levels, as well as online programs.
New York is among the most beautiful states with more than 70,000 miles of
rivers and streams, one of the largest economies in the United States, and it is no
wonder why New York is one of the most visited destinations in the world. New
York is consistently the benchmark for business, entertainment, tourism, and fine
living. The Capital Region of upstate New York surrounds the Sage College
campuses and the beautiful Hudson River is woven between Troy and Albany.
Participants will have access to the facilities and amenities afforded to all
students who attend The Sage Colleges. The Summer 2016 program is inclusive,
including meals, on-campus housing, transportation, instruction, activities, and
the like. The average day will include age-appropriate instruction in areas such
as English language, history, science, and the arts, as well as structured recreation
time and cultural activities. Students will be housed in the residence halls at The
Sage Colleges with proper adult and residential assistant supervision.
In addition, high school students may have an additional focus on college
exploration and preparation, and the students will visit college campuses. Each
week will have a separate theme relating to the “American Cultural Experience,”
and activities and lessons will be related to the weekly theme. Additionally, the
program will culminate with trips to the New York mountainside, New York City,
and to Washington D.C., the capital city of the United States.
The program—The American Cultural Experience Summer Program is an
opportunity for students and faculty from XieHe Youde High School to enjoy a
three-week English language and cultural immersion program at the Sage Colleges in
Albany and Troy, New York.
Overview—The program will cover three areas: Science & Technology, Sports, and
American culture. Students will learn language associated with each section, as well
as participate in projects and trips that follow those three things.
Topics and Activities may include:
Science & Technology—Nature walks, astronomy lessons, ecology of New York,
the power of waterfalls.
Sports—Exposure to and participation in sports such as Football, Basketball,
Tennis, and other organized activities, including attending a professional game.
American Culture—Etiquette, food, popular music, local museum and cultural site
visits such as the museum of New York History or the Troy Farmer’s Market, and
a visit to theatre and participation in America’s Independence Day fireworks
celebration.
Washington DC!—All participants will take a three-day trip to DC to experience
the American capital city with visits to the Smithsonian museums, national
government buildings, and other monuments.
New York,New York!—Travel by train for a day in New York City, America’s largest
city and home to Broadway, Time’s Square, and the Statue of Liberty.
Included—The Summer Program is inclusive, covering meals, on-campus housing,
transportation, instruction, insurance, and activities, as well as the full program trip
to Washington D.C. and New York City.
Program Cost : $6,000 per participant (inclusive from arrival through departure,
except for personal expenses)
American Culture
Week One:
July 3-July 9, 2016
Sunday, July 3rd
Start your day off right and enjoy a healthy breakfast in one of our Sage
Dining Halls. (Breakfast will be served everyday from 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.)
After breakfast you will attend your first roll call. You will gather as a group
for program announcements and address the activities and events of the day.
This is an important time for the students; they will receive special
announcements, meet visiting guests, and receive emails and letters from
home. (Conducted daily)
Theme of the Day: Getting to know The Sage Colleges
Your first day at The Sage Colleges will begin with breakfast and roll call in
one of the Sage Dining Halls, and you will be taken on a campus tour. Also,
you will receive your official Sage College Student ID card, which will be
used in the Dining Hall each day and also for having access to the residence
hall. Next is a welcome session that will include activities with the
Residential Counselors and the program’s administrative staff.
After lunch you will have an opportunity to learn about your surroundings
by visiting a local Troy or Albany recreational area. Following your fun
afternoon at the park you will have the opportunity to rest and prepare for
your welcome dinner.
You will be welcomed by the Sage Community this evening and participate
in a special group activity in your honor.
The residential counselors are here to assist, guide and mentor you; therefore,
it is most important that you feel comfortable with them – tonight's the night
for getting to know each other. You and your residential counselors will
participate in several ice breakers – these activities promote the use of the
conversational, listening and speaking skills.
Monday, July 4th
Theme of the Day: American Independence Day and Getting to
know Each Other (grammar)
After breakfast and roll call, you will attend your first English classes, which
will be taught daily. These classes will be structured around the theme of
the day and the evening’s events. Today, we’ll discuss American Culture.
This day will be an opportunity to get to know other counselors as well as
your fellow participants. There will be organized recreational activities
taking place on campus including: basketball, kickball, football, and (for
those who enjoy the air conditioning) cards and craft making.
This evening you will attend a Tri-City ValleyCats Baseball Game. Baseball
is a favorite American past time and a trip to a ValleyCats game is always a
favorite activity of summer program participants. You will also experience
the American holiday of Independence, fireworks and all!
The Tri-City ValleyCats are a minor league
baseball team based in heart of New York’s Capital
Region. The baseball team; which plays in the New
York-Penn League, is the Class-A affiliate of the
Houston Astros major-league club. The ValleyCats
play in the Joseph Bruno Stadium, located in Troy,
New York.
Reflection time: This will be a time to write down new information that you
learned during classes and describe your experience at the baseball game.
Prepare for bed, Good night.
Tuesday, July 5th
After breakfast you will attend roll call. You will attend your English classes
and discuss American History.
Theme of the Day: A Day in Downtown Albany
After classes you will enjoy lunch before we make our way to the New York
State Museum, the Empire State Plaza Veterans Memorial, and The Egg (art
museum) in Downtown Albany. There you will explore artifacts of both
New York and America’s culture and history.
Following the trip to the museum we will return to The Sage College’s
campus for dinner. After dinner, we will prepare for the first Artistic
Expressions class. Albany and Troy are known throughout the northeast
as having an exceptionally diverse art scene. Participants will attend arts
classes while at Sage that will focus on visual art, dance, drama, and
music.
Reflection time: Take a moment to write down your thoughts of the day’s
events and draw a picture or two that highlight your favorite event of the
day.
Wednesday, July 6th
After breakfast, roll call, and your classes have concluded, you will head
over to the Dining Hall for lunch.
Theme of the Day: Artistic Expressions
Your residential counselors will assist you in reviewing your morning
lessons. You will participate in your second Artistic Expression class and
an organized recreation activity.
Following the drama and dance classes, you will have the opportunity to
take part in studying visual arts and also a typical American sports camp,
including instruction by local High School teachers and coaching staff.
After the sports class, you will have an opportunity to eat, rest and
prepare for your evening activity.
In the evening, we will see a local cultural performance, such as the
Cirque du Soleil “Alegria” performance. The shows are filled with
energy as performers excite the audience with dancing, high bar routines,
contortions, and other acts demonstrating physical strength and skills.
Reflection time: You may want to take this time to write a letter to your
parents or friends back home to tell them what a great time you are having
in America.
Thursday, July 7th
After breakfast you will attend roll call. You will attend your English classes
that will focus on Food and Money in America and American History.
Theme of the Day: Media and Architecture
After classes you will be driven to the New York State Capitol. Here you will
learn about French-style architecture and see the highly ornate details of this
important State building, including the “Million Dollar Staircase” carved
with 300 portraits of famous New Yorkers.
In the evening we will have an interactive game night.
Reflection time: Draw and reflect on your favorite exhibit at the New York
Capitol.
Friday, July 8th
After breakfast you will attend roll call. You will attend an orientation
session preparing for our trip to Washington, D.C. and will attend a science
class. Then we will travel to Saratoga Springs, New York to visit the Saratoga
Spa State Park.
Theme of the Day: Nature and Exploration
Saratoga Spa State Park, distinguished by its classical architecture and listed
as a National Historic Landmark, is noted for its diverse cultural, aesthetic
and recreational resources. In addition to the nationally-known Saratoga
Performing Arts Center, the Spa Little Theater, the National Museum of
Dance, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, the Gideon Putnam Resort and
Roosevelt Baths and Spa, the park offers a multitude of traditional recreation
opportunities.
Following our afternoon at the Saratoga Spa State Park, we will return to
have dinner at Sage and take part in artistic expressions and fiber art classes.
Scheduled events subject to change. 10
Reflection time: Reflect on your day and share what you are excited to
experience over the next few days.
Saturday, July 9th
After breakfast you will attend roll call. You will attend an English class and
a final orientation session in preparation for our trip to Washington, D.C.
After lunch you will attend an Artistic Expressions and art sessions.
Following dinner in the dining hall, you will get on the busses and we will
drive to Saratoga Performing Arts Center where we will hear the
Philadelphia Orchestra during its summer series under the stars. Then you
will return to The Sage Colleges.
Reflection time: What was your favorite part of the day? Did you enjoy listening to
the Symphony? Do you play any instruments?
Sunday, July 10 - Tuesday, July 12.
Washington, D.C.
the District of Columbia
July 10 -July 12, 2016
Sunday, July
Get ready for an early departure from Troy or Albany to Washington, DC,
via a state-of-the-art coach bus. We will make a quick stop at the Dining Hall
for breakfast before departing for our six-hour trip.
This afternoon we will venture to the east coast of the United States to the
Washington National’s Baseball Park to see a major league baseball game.
We’ll arrive at the park and go to a private conference skybox for lunch and
then into the stands we go to watch this professional baseball game.
We then venture into Washington, DC, proper and attend an orchestral
concert at the Kennedy Center, Washington’s finest theatre. Dinner will
follow at the top of the Kennedy Center….quite a view! After the Kennedy
Center, we’ll check into the hotel and get a good night’s rest for a busy day
tomorrow.
Reflection time: What do you think of American Baseball? Who won the
game? Write down a couple of fun adventures that you had throughout the
course of the day.
Monday, July 11th
A special treat will be riding the Duck Boats…..hmmmm, what is this???
You’ll just have to experience it! After the Duck Boats, we will tour the
Washington Monument and see the wonderful views of Washington, DC.
Then, we will walk to the Lincoln Memorial and see one of Washington DC’s
most impressive monuments. Scheduled events subject to change. 12
We’ll have lunch and visit the Air and Space Museum. At this museum,
you’ll see the first airplane, the first spacecraft, and much more! We will also
visit the Museum of Natural History (wait until you see these dinosaurs!),
and take a look at other attractions.
We will have a VERY SPECIAL dinner in a SPECIAL part of Washington,
DC, and then we will have a night tour of the monuments.
Reflection time: Take a moment to write down your thoughts of the
Washington, DC trip, the role of government in the U.S., and the fun
experiences of visiting one of the important capitals of the world.
Tuesday, July 12th
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel, but there’s still much more to see
in Washington, DC. Working with our legislators, we’ve arranged a tour of
the Capitol to observe how laws are made in the United States.
This afternoon, we will see how money is printed at the U.S. Department of
Printing and Engraving and then prepare for our trip back to New York. On
the way home you will experience the typical American travel routine of
eating something “on the go” as we eat our dinner on our way back to The
Sage Colleges.
Reflection time: What did you think of American Chinese food? Make sure
that you record your thoughts so you can share them with your friends
when you get back home.
Science & Technology
Week Two: July 13 -July 17, 2016
Wednesday, July 13th
Theme of the Day: Media and the Marketplace
After classes and morning Artistic Expressions, you will have lunch in the
Dining Hall and then head to the CrossRoads Shopping Mall where you will
have a chance to utilize today’s lessons, do some shopping, and experience
one of New York’s premier shopping areas. Tonight we will dine in a typical
American Food Court, and then we’ll be off to the movies—a typical
American pastime.
Reflection time: Write a few things down that you remember from your
time spent at an American Mall, what was similar to home, and what was
different? Scheduled events subject to change. 13
Thursday, July 14th
After breakfast and roll call, your English classes will be split into two
groups, one group will work on English Grammar and the other will go with
one of our premier science faculty members to the Cohoes Waterfalls on the
Hudson River.
Theme of the Day: Country Day
After lunch you will experience a “Country Day.” You will participate in
activities associated with rural areas of America including the innerworkings
of an American farm. Following this activity you will have another Artistic
Expressions class and also dinner.
Reflection time: Draw a picture of your favorite activity that you
participated in today. Was it the farm, the Hudson, or seeing the waterfall?
You decide, be sure to share your drawings with your counselors.
Friday, July 15th
After breakfast, roll call, and your classes have concluded you will head over
to the Dining Hall for lunch.
Theme of the Day: Technology and Science
Following lunch, you will take part in an afternoon of organized recreation.
A special event following dinner is a musical performance from Drums for
Change, a circle of drums in an interactive setting. This music event will
provide you with an opportunity to learn how to play the drums as
originally conceived by Native American Indians. You will have hands on
instruction from the professional drummers.
Saturday, July 16th
Theme of the Day: A Trip to the Mountains and Lake George
After breakfast and roll call, we will load the buses and travel to Lake
George, New York. During our trip, we will visit the beautiful Adirondack
Mountains, play some miniature golf, and learn about why Lake George is
nicknamed, “Queen of the American Lakes.”
We will also visit the Lake George Outlet Shops.
Reflection time: What are some differences between United States
topography and waterways in Taiwan? What is something that stood out to
you today during our destination trip to the lakes and mountains of New
York?
Sunday, July 17th
Theme of the Day: Art in America
After breakfast and roll call, we will walk the beautiful downtown Troy area
and search for art and architectural wonders.
Throughout Troy, there are many
beautiful historic buildings and
architectural styles, including
brownstone houses, charming
Victorian downtown buildings,
Monument Square, and several
churches and buildings with Tiffany
glass—special stained-glassed
windows that are priceless!
You will return to The Sage Colleges and eat lunch. Following lunch you will
have the opportunity to attend a sports camp, work more on art projects and
take part in Artistic Expressions.
Tonight, you will experience a typical American teenager’s evening with
friends.
Reflection time: What are some differences between American and your
home arts? So far, what has been your favorite sport that you have played?
Write down your thoughts and get ready for bed.
Final Days in the U.S.
Week Three: July 18 -July 21, 2016
Monday, July 18th
Theme of the Day: Express Yourself
This will be a day full of Artistic Expression experiences. You will have the
opportunity to work on various aspects of the group performance that will
take place later in the week.
After lunch, you will take part in art and sports classes and will have free
time to spend on campus.
Following dinner, you will return to Artistic Expressions for the evening
prior to group time and reflections.
Reflection time: Share about your experiences with your reflection groups
and class sessions. What is something that you have learned about yourself?
Tuesday, July 19th
Theme of the Day: A Day in New York City
We will ride early, grab a breakfast meal and roll call, and venture to the
Rensselaer Train Station to go to New York City. In New York, we’ll visit
Times Square, see a Broadway matinee, and learn about one of the great
cities in the world.
We’ll venture down to Battery Park to take great photos of the Statue of
Liberty, and then take the take the New York Subway back to Penn Station to
return to Albany and Troy. This will be a very special day!
Reflection time: What was something new that you have learned today
about New York City? Was it crowded? How does it compare to the hustle
and bustle of Taipei?
Wednesday, July 20th
After breakfast and roll call you will participate in the Quiz Bowl. You will
have an opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned during the
program.
Theme of the Day: Quiz Bowl and Closing Ceremonies
After the Quiz Bowl activities, you will be honored at a special Closing
Ceremonies luncheon. We will celebrate your achievements and experiences
during The Sage Colleges Global Initiative. This evening will be a time to
reminisce, to pack, and to get a good night’s sleep before your early
departure to the airport. Final goodbyes are always hard, so we just say, “See
You Later!”
We are so happy to have had this opportunity to share this time with you,
and we look forward to hosting next year’s Sage Colleges Global Initiative
Summer Program.
See you later!
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Following breakfast at one of Sages dining halls, you will be picked up by the
coach bus in the morning and be whisked off to the Albany International Airport
for your flight to New York City and home.
Dr. Danny Green
Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment Management
The Sage Colleges
65 1st Street
Troy, NY 12180
518-244-2467 – Office
919-423-5302 – Cell
518-244-5502 – Fax