We all had many questions but reserved our emotions - mainly because it seemed as though every time we were updated on our travels and got excited, the plans were switched.
HERE'S THE KICKER:
There was never anything wrong with our visas. When the Chinese National Security claimed that there were students on our team who failed the background checks because of misdemeanors, this was false. When Larry and GIEU involved higher ups (i.e.: the UM provost, etc.) in our situation and talked with the embassy, the embassy told them that our visas were in the mail and they had no problems with them. So, the Chinese National Security (which apparently doesn't collaborate with the Chinese Embassy) 'fabricated' or 'lied' or 'fibbed' those details about the misdemeanors. Nothing about that story is true. After further thought and investigation, it seems (and Larry told us this) that the Chinese government was going to 'deny' us entry into the country because of our involvement with Golden Courage. GCI is one of 5 NGO's in the entire country and they rely on government funding to survive. Therefore, the government feels they have a say in what GCI does - including interacting/hosting American instructors/interns for the summer. This probably also has something to do with Dr. Lu Jr. being part of the Tianamen Square riots 20 years ago and getting exiled from the country. I'm sure they (the government) are apprehensive about our involvement with him and his organization. Because GCI relies so heavily on the government funding, they cannot risk to bring our team in to work with them and possibly lose that funding. So Larry, GIEU, Dr. Lu Jr., and Golden Courage decided it was best not to risk anything that could harm the GCI program and the kids, so we will not be working with them anymore. As soon as GIEU told the Chinese National Security that we were no longer working with Golden Courage, they had no problem granting us entry into the country. So, something about our previous denial into China definitely had something to do with Golden Courage - details are to be determined. DRAMA.
What does this mean for our trip?
We are no longer working with Golden Courage, obviously. We are also not going to work with high schoolers or elementary students like before. Instead, we are staying all 4 weeks at Peking University in downtown Beijing and working with college students our age. Peking University is THE BEST school in China. It's extremely difficult to get into and has a prestigious reputation. Larry said, "This is the Harvard of China." So, not to brag, but it's kind of a big deal.
We will still do the basics of our arts modules but focus mostly on English. Many of the students are said to have very good English but want/need to learn English from native speakers. They are also interested in learning colloquial speak. So, we'll be engaging in many informal teaching situations (hanging out, being friends, etc.) to help them learn. We will live in the dorms at the school, attend the opera, visit tourist sites, even take a day trip to Golden Courage but strictly as tourists - not as teachers, sadly. There is still debate about what/who/if UM and GCI will send some Golden Courage students over Ann Arbor in the fall - we'll see what happens with that. I can't believe the Chinese government would endorse that but it would be great to see them!
So all the original travel plans are the way they were a week ago. I'm still going to Shanghai, Hong Kong and Bangkok. I still need to buy a bunch of travel gear, I still need to take all of my malaria and anti-diarrheal pills, and I still will run out of money by the end of the trip, but at least all of this will be done with my entire team, with Larry and IN CHINA!
The countdown:
-3 hours until I turn 22
-2 days until my summer is 'official' with no more required obligations for school
-32 days until I leave for China
-And 81 days until I join September in Florida for a post-travel vacation!
YAHOO!!!
The one & only,
Mo chou.
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