Saint Joseph Academy Students Travel To China

CLEVELAND: 042208: Emily Hanson, Associate Principal of Saint Joseph Academy in Cleveland, Ohio, shared her first report on their trip to China during their stop in Bejing. Nineteen students along with Ms. Hanson and Jose Rondon accompanied by parents, friends and members of the board of directors are on a ten-day journey exploring China. “The trip is part of the 21^st century education being taught at Saint Joseph Academy. We are exposing our young women to the world. Earlier this spring, a group of students spent Holy Week in Rome,” according to school Principal Audrey Menard. The trip to China was put together by the United States-China Education Council (USCEC)

The group will travel to the five most famous Chinese cities: Beijing, Changchun, Suzhou, Tongli and Shanghai. They will meet and interact with Chinese educators and students, and visit Changchun, the home of Mrs. Xinming Tong who teaches Mandarin Chinese at Saint Joseph Academy through a grant from the United States State Department for teachers of critical languages.

In addition to their educational opportunities, the group will experience Chinese culture and society, have a feel of real Chinese life and will tour the sight of the 2008 Olympics. There will be trips to sites of historical and cultural importance: e.g., the Great Wall, Tian An Men Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Palace Museum of the Puppet Emperor in Changchun, World Famous Sculptures Garden, world-famous Chinese garden in Suzhou, Silk Factory, Oriental Venice, the historical Shanghai Bund and the modern cosmopolitan city of Shanghai.

Founded in 1890, Saint Joseph Academy is the premiere Catholic high school for girls in the city of Cleveland. Sponsored by the Sisters of the Congregation of Saint Joseph, a Saint Joseph Academy educational experience offers young women an awakening to faith, mind and the world while reflecting and celebrating God, community and oneself. For more information contact: Director of Communications and Public Relations, Mr. Ron Perger at 216.619.1937.