100K Strong Continues to Send Students to China
Sabrina Simpson became interested in the Chinese culture in elementary school when her teacher led the class in a celebration of the Chinese New Year. When Simpson went on to enroll in Lindblom Math and Science Academy high school she was excited that it offered Chinese as a foreign language option.
But Simpson’s fondness for Chinese customs and traditions received the ultimate boost this school year when it was announced that she was among several Lindblom students chosen to visit and study in the southeast Asian country. This summer, Simpson, 17, is going to Beijing, China!
The six Lindblom students and ones from Walter Payton College Prep high school will be going to China for a special study abroad program under President Barack Obama’s 100,000 Strong Initiative. The program relies on public-private funding partnerships and the Motorola Mobility Foundation will help pay for the Chicago Public Schools students to participate in this six-week summer program. The trip was organized by Americans Promoting Study Abroad (APSA), and will include Mandarin language study, engagement with Chinese culture, community service and an exploration of international job opportunities.
The 100,000 Strong Initiative is designed to help boost the number and diversity over the next five years of U.S. students who study in China, according to the U.S. Department of State. Officials there point out that 10 times more Chinese students study in the U.S. than American students study in China. Also, more Chinese study English than Americans study Mandarin (the official name of the language).
