Mathematics Education in China

Imagine climbing the Great Wall, exploring the Forbidden City, visiting Buddhist Temples, and soaking up the beautiful scenery at West Lake. This is no ordinary study abroad trip!

Mathematics Education in China will be going to China in May Interim, 2011. The course that will be offered on the program will be Math 430/746 International Comparative Mathematics Education Seminar, in which you will have the opportunity to study the nature of mathematics and mathematical behavior, and theories and issues in the teaching and learning of mathematics. We will examine the similarities and differences of education practices in the US and China, including teaching philosophy and methodology, teacher preparation and training, and cultural attitudes towards mathematics and education. Click here to see a syllabus for this course. Ask your advisor about substituting this course for a required or elective course for your math major or minor.

The first week of May Interim we will hold class at UWO, then we will go together on a three-week trip to China. After a few days taking in the amazing cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, we will spend one week on the campus of our partner Ningbo University, with mornings given to seminars discussing selected readings, and guest lectures on the Chinese education system, and afternoons will be spent visiting mathematics classes at local elementary and secondary schools. The second week will spend in Hangzhou which is one of the most beautiful cities in China, on the scenic West Lake. We will stay on the campus of Zhejiang Education Institute, where we will again have seminars in the mornings and field trips to local schools and teacher colleges in the afternoon. At end of this week will present mathematics lessons in English to Chinese students at Hangzhou Foreign Language School. During the last week of the trip, we will travel to Beijing and explore the Forbidden City, climb the Great Wall, and visit the Royal Gardens and Buddhist Temples in Chengde.

When?

There will be three days of class in Oshkosh May 16-18. We will then travel ot China May 19-June 9, 2011.

How Much?

The estimated cost of the program is $3497

This includes:

$100 Application Fee

$2300 Program Fee, including tuition. This includes a $280 fee for one credit of tuition as part of our exchange agreement with Ningbo University. Also includes health and accident insurance, Chinese Visa, all hotel and university accomodations, all ground transportation (busses, trains) except for taxis, airfare and taxes swithin China, all group tours (including tips for our guides), all breakfasts, and nine group dinners. This fee may go down slightly if we have a large enough group going.

$1097 Airfare to China, including taxes and fees. We have a block of seats reserved at this very good rate. However, if demand for this program is high, we may exceed this block and we may need to get additional seats which could be at a higher rate or on a different flight. So apply early to assure that you get a seat at this low rate!

Other approximate expenses not included above are:

$150 to get a US Passport, if you don't already have one.

$200-$400 spending money while in China. This can vary significantly, depending on how frugal or spendy you are. But this range is based on $100-$150 for dinners, lunches, and snacks on your own, $25 for local transportation when you are on your own, $25-$75 for optional tours and entertainment on free days (we will have 2 or 3 free days), and $50-$150 for souveniers and things you might buy.

For more details about costs, please see the OIE's webpage for our Program.

Is there Finanical Aid Available ?

Yes. Please visit the Office of International Education's Study Abroad Finanial Aid Information Webpage for information about financial aid.

How do I sign up?

You can start the application process now! To apply, follow the step-by-step instructions on the Office of International Education's Study Abroad Application Webpage. The application deadline will be Friday Feb. 4, 2011, but you are encouraged to start the application process as soon as you can. Space is limited and seats will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, though preference is given to UW Oshkosh mathematics majors and minors. Another reason to complete your application early is to ensure you get a seat in our block of seats with the nice $1055 airfare, in case the airfare goes up for additional seats.

Mathematics Education in China

with faculty leaders Eric Kuennen, John Beam, and Jen Szydlik