An orientation session for the Study Abroad programs taking place this summer in China was held on April 5th year in Armstrong Hall at Purdue University. Approximately 120 students along with faculty members attended the event, representing nine different Study Abroad courses being taught in China this summer.

Professor Howard Sypher, Head of the Communication Department, gave a speech regarding the 2010 Expo being held in Shanghai from May to October of this year. Sypher also presented a video promoting the Expo. According to Sypher, with the theme “Better City, Better life”, the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai will be a great event to explore the full potential of urban life in the 21st century and will mark a significant period in urban evolution for China and other countries.

Among the speakers who presented, Professor Wei Hong, Director of the Confucius Institute at Purdue, introduced various elements of Chinese culture that the students may encounter face to face while on the mainland, along with potential cultural differences they might observe during the course of their trip. To help students be better prepared and make the most out of their trip, Professor Hong also taught those present some basic Chinese phrases and words to allow students to be able to feel more independent should they wish to acquaint themselves with the culture on an even deeper level.

Students were also given an opportunity at the end of the session to ask any questions they might have prior to their departure. The Shanghai Expo Learning Component is a campus-wide initiative lead by the Confucius Institute and the Office of Study Abroad to engage Purdue students in a world event and learn about how such an event might impact China, the city of Shanghai and the world.