Macomb County– May 23, 2012–This summer, the Macomb Cultural & Economic Partnership (MCEP) will host university law students, university engineering students, and high school students from China wishing to improve their English. Groups will be arriving between July 8 and August 12. If you are willing to share your home for 2 weeks, 1 week, or a long weekend, MCEP would be happy to talk with you.
This summer will be MCEP’s second time hosting China University of Political Science and Law students (July 8-19). CUPL students will learn about the American legal system during the week and have time on the weekend to experience daily life with their host families. Additionally, students from Shanghai University Material Sciences/Engineering will be making their third trip to Michigan (July 12-26). As future leaders in business, connecting with them is essential in ensuring economic prosperity for Macomb County.
High school students from Qidong, Jiangsu Province will be participating in MCEP’s first English language camp (August 5-12). During the mornings, students will be occupied with English language education. The Afternoons will include cultural visits, such as the Detroit Zoo and the Henry Ford Museum. The evenings will consist of learning about American sports and other recreational activities. This provides an excellent opportunity for families with high school students to host, as their children will make across-the-world friendships and directly learn about Chinese culture during their homestay. American students are invited to be involved in cultural and sports events free of charge!
Hosting is easy; the students have a full time schedule in the day, and sometimes are busy with evening programs. The host families’ job is to provide a bedroom, as well as evening and weekend accompaniment. Families with less time available can also be advisor families to Shanghai University students, who will be at companies for two months (June 18-mid August), but don’t need a home to stay in. Advisor families may have the student over for dinner once a week and include them in family activities depending on their availability.
“It has been a fascinating experience, that has taught me a lot about other cultures as well as reaffirming that people are the same,” said Pete and Wendy Callanan of Mount Clemens. “When given the chance to sit down and talk with someone from another lifestyle, culture, religion, age, background it’s amazing, to me, how much we are alike. A smile is universal and a laugh can be shared.”
About MCEP
The Macomb Cultural & Economic Partnership is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Macomb county efforts at economic development. Contact MCEP by phone at 586-783-6008, by email at MCEP99@gmail.com, or visit us on the web at www.MacombChinaPartnership.com or www.facebook.com/mcep99.
