Exchange Program
A Visit to Asia to Apply Knowledge and Skills
Nothing enhances language skills and cultural understanding like a trip to another country. As part of their education, CAIS students take part in two exchanges, visiting Taipei and Shanghai, and hosting students from those cities. Students in other grades—including non-CAIS students—can visit China with their families during the summer. All trips are arranged by the CAIS Institute.
Experiencing Taipei
A Trip for Students Entering Fifth Grade
Each spring, CAIS fifth graders attend Ren-Ai Elementary in Taipei for two weeks, living with their “buddies” and host families. Their buddies come to San Francisco to take classes at CAIS and live with CAIS families. The program gives both groups of students a unique home-life immersion experience that richly supplements their classroom learning. American and Chinese students travel, study and play together to form strong personal and cultural bonds.
The 2009 CAIS 5th grade exchange trip to Taipei is tentatively scheduled from March 29 through April 11. Students from Taipei Ren-Ai Elementary school will visit San Francisco from January 30 to February 13. Fifteen CAIS students will be accompanied to Taiwan by at least two of our lower school teachers. The trip will cost about $2,250. Spaces are first come, first served. Application deadline is Oct. 24, 2008.
>> Click here to apply online.
>> Download Informational Flyer (PDF).
Exploring Shanghai
A Trip for Students Entering Eighth Grade
The annual exchange program between CAIS and Shanghai No. 3 Girls' School—boys also go on this trip—can be a life-changing experience. CAIS seventh-graders live with their Chinese host families for two weeks. Their Chinese "buddies" come to San Francisco to live with their American friends from CAIS. Students benefit from a unique immersion experience and form new friendships as they travel, study and relax together, teaching one another the differences and similarities between their worlds.