<p>My D's school in UK is promoting this program. Does anyone have any experience with it? Is it difficult to get in? It sounds like a rather unique culural experience and a fantastic opportunity to learn about China, but I'd rather have independent opinions than trust their glossy brochure. They printed a list of schools who sent kids there in the past, and they are mostly elite private or public schools, mostly from the East Coast. So if anyone has any thoughts on this program, please share!</p>
<p>My daughter's US school is having a rep from Glimpses visit tomorrow. She has applied to 2 other programs in China so I did a quick compare. Glimpses costs about the same EXCEPT it does not include airfare and the other two do. It also does not have (at least it didn't seem to) a strong language component which is what my daughter is looking for.</p>
<p>I researched the program a year ago when my son was looking at applying. It is somewhat selective -- they don't take every applicant, but not a ton are turned away. They are looking more for maturity and interest than a 4.0, but they do want strong students. It is not meant as a language program or a tour group -- but more an exposure to the culture and how it is adapting to the new globalizing world.</p>
<p>The references I checked were all glowing -- the kids and parents thought the program was fantastic. the only complaint that I heard was that the rules were very strict (especially compared to other summer programs, where the kids are pretty much given free reign). When I asked about the "rules", I was told that most were imposed as a condition of the Chinese government for the program to be held there. From what I understood, the kids are not allowed to "wander the streets and explore on their own" but can only travel as part of a planned group activity.</p>
<p>Glimpses of China is good. </p>
<p>If a middle or high school student wants to make rapid progress with Chinese, also take a look at the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy (MMLA) Middlebury</a> Monterey Language Academy MMLA has four-week immersion camps at college campuses in CA and VT.</p>
<p>(full disclosure: I work at Middlebury)</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! We got application form now, but my daughter is still thinking if it is really a good fit for her. She may be a bit too young (freshman now), but the program does accept a small number of freshmen (about 2% of all participants).</p>
<p>I went attended Glimpses of China last year and it was easily one of the best experiences that I have ever had. If you want more information, just let me know.</p>
<p>usukmom, Me again! My son was accepted into the Glimpses program several years back, but unfortunately it was the summer of SARS so the program was cancelled! </p>
<p>We thought it offered a wonderful opportunity for cultural and intellectual intensity which so many of the programs for younger highschoolers lack. It also seemed to be socially conservative which again appealed for the same reason.</p>
<p>It is definitely not a language immersive program.</p>
<p>Thanks, Exhibites and momrath! My daughter has decided to try Glimpses of China maybe next year, when she is older, and do Summer@Brown this year. She is interested in psychology/brain studies, and found a mini course on learning and memory at Brown that she really wants to take. </p>
<p>The cost is definitely a concern for Glimpses of China, especially since they excluded airfare from the cost this year (due to Beijing Olympics and unpredictability of airfare prices, as they say). From London to Shanghai, direct flights are ~$1500. The cost of the program was lowered somewhat to counter airfare exclusion, but not by $1500!</p>
<p>Glimpses of China is now called Perspectives China and is run by [Foundation</a> Global Education](<a href=“http://www.foundationge.com%5DFoundation”>http://www.foundationge.com). I am an employee there and would be happy to answer any questions people might have. The China program is now very much a practical Mandarin program with all the normal activities we are known for plus community service. These questions in this thread are a few years old but might be helpful to anyone looking to apply for Perspectives China, India and now Brazil.</p>