Beijing University students, faculty visit

Half a world away, nine students and seven faculty members from the Beijing University of Physical Education are planning to visit IU May 30-June 10 for recreational and educational activities planned by the IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. \nA committee, comprised of faculty and staff of HPER, has been meeting the past six months to prepare an itinerary for the upcoming trip with the theme "CHIndiaNA." They have planned a variety of events for the twelve day stay in Bloomington. \nA group of 40 HPER students, faculty and staff visited Beijing last May to celebrate the tenth\nanniversary of the "agreement of friendship and cooperation" between IU and BUPE. Those who traveled to Beijing hiked along the Great Wall of China in places that weren't previously open to foreigners.\nHPER professor and committee member Michelle Miller sees the upcoming event as an opportunity to return the hospitality IU experienced last spring.\n"It's a great way to reciprocate the kindness and to continue our friendship with Beijing University," Miller said.\nShe hopes that inviting the Chinese students and faculty to IU is an opportunity to show them the culture of a small, Midwestern town in America. \n"Those of us over there didn't want it to be a one-way street," Joel Strager, a HPER professor who traveled to Beijing with the group last year, said. \nHPER associate dean David Gallahue agrees that inviting the group to Bloomington is a great way to return the favor of a wonderful trip last spring.\nThe visitors from BUPE will be camping for three days in southern Indiana, visiting Wyandotte Cave, and canoeing along the Blue River. The group will also visit Corydon, Indiana's former state capitol. \nWhile staying in Indianapolis for two days the Beijing travelers will see an Indianapolis Fever basketball game, an Indianapolis Indians baseball game and also visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Along with a trip to the State Capitol, they will be touring the recently opened Indiana State Museum.\nWhile in Bloomington the visiting students and faculty will stay in Tulip Tree apartments. For the last three days, each individual will stay at a host home in which they will get to see how Americans really live. \nFor many of the visitors this will be their first trip to America. \n"It's virtually impossible for the Chinese to get to the U.S., not only financially, but also in terms of government restrictions," Stager said.\nHe said it would take the average Chinese person 10 to 15 years to save the amount of money for a round trip ticket to America.\nIn a recent press release, Gallahue said the goal of the 12-day event is for the visitors to learn a little about IU and the campus. \n"We want this opportunity to be both and educational and recreational experience for our friends from BUPE," Gallahue said.\nThe BUPE students and faculty will also participate in recreational activities that reflect living well through healthy lifestyles. \n"The hiking and other recreational events reflect the joint mission goals for HPER and BUPE of living well through healthy lifestyles," Gallahue said.