Largest ever group of TY students to head to China

University College Cork (UCC) and Shanghai University have arranged a visit to China for 90 Transition Year (TY) students from 32 schools across Ireland.

The demand for places on the Easter Camp programme to Shanghai, which runs from 2 to 16 April, was extraordinary according to Professor Fan Hong, director of School of Asian Studies, the Irish Institute of Chinese Studies and the Confucius Institute at UCC.

“Beyond the enthusiasm demonstrated by the students themselves, many of their parents were incredibly eager to give their sons and daughters an opportunity they never had – to experience Chinese culture and society first hand,” she said.

“A series of visits to some of the 20+ schools across Shanghai will not only allow the students to actively practice their Chinese, it will also nurture lifelong friendships and mutual understanding between Ireland and China.”

The Irish Consulate in Shanghai will also welcome the students and host a session to discuss relations between Ireland and China.

Between two and five students are travelling from each selected school, drawn from those studying the Chinese Culture and Language module as part of TY and nominated by their respective schools.

The students will be accompanied by Professor Fan Hong, Professor Mary Ruane, Yongbin Xia and tutors from the UCC Confucius Institute, teachers from some Irish schools, as well as teachers from Shanghai University once the students touch down in Shanghai.

As well as attending language classes, the students will experience many cultural outings, including practical martial arts, paper cuttings, and calligraphy.

They will also have time to explore the city of Shanghai and the neighbouring cities of Suzhou andHangzhou.

Sorcha Corcoran