THE Dean of Graduate Studies at Northern Michigan University in the US, Cynthia A. Prosen, says she was most impressed by the English level and courteousness of the students, the “total immersion“ concept and small-sized classrooms for initial-level students at Zhuhai Gateway Language Village （ GLV ） at Ningxi Culture Square, Xiangzhou, on Wednesday.

The nine-member delegation led by university President Les Wong includes Associate Vice President R. Gavin Leach, English professor Z.Z. Lehmberg, and other university representatives. It is in China in search of universities interested in exchange programmes with NMU.

With 9,600 students on campus, NMU is the largest university in Michigan‘s Upper Peninsula. It is also an active partner with local industries and a key player in the Lake Superior Community Partnership （ a multi-city partnership of Chambers of Commerce and economic development ） , President Wong noted. The mission of NMU is to prepare its students to be leaders in their chosen career fields and communities, as well as lifelong learners and engaged citizens in an ever-changing, technologically savvy and multicultural world, according to Wong‘s response to Senate Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee questions in February.

Wong explained that they came to China to seek international partnerships from which their students can get college credit and experience. Students should not only be technically trained, but should also develop a real-world view of career possibilities and know how to work with people. A partnership with Lenovo Inc of China benefits the university with technology, which transforms the community and the way people live, work and communicate. Thus, to establish a partnership with GLV or potential universities in China is of great importance, as companies would be most delighted to have employees who have had experience working in China, Wong noted.

In addition, NMU is interested in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Wong said. As one of three Olympic training sites in the US , NMU is the only one to give a degree and to train athletes at the same time, he pointed out, hoping that they can develop linkages with Chinese sports institutions to exchange coaches and students.

The delegation plans to meet with sports officials in Beijing this week to collaborate on the 2008 Olympic Games, according to Jeffery S. Kleinschmidt, director of the US Olympic Education Centre at the university. “We‘re going to offer students who have working experience at Olympics to work as volunteers at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008,“ he said.

GLV PR Manager Denny Wu showed the delegation around the school, including the meeting hall, classrooms with light-blue curtains, corridor with photos of faculty and students in their classes, library, teacher assistants‘ office, teachers‘ office, dining hall and the smoke-area terrace on the top of the building, where teachers and students have their snacks during breaks at night. He also briefed them on the operational concept, management system and teaching approaches of GLV. English is the only language allowed in the school including during breaks, meals and outings, he explained. GLV Principal Ping Hong confirmed a student found speaking Chinese at school would get a warning the first time and be asked to leave the school after three warnings.

With 90 per cent of students signing up through the Internet, GLV educates 2,000 students each year, Hong said. GLV is branching out in Hangzhou this month, he disclosed. He also extended a warm welcome to the representatives, saying that the visit is a good beginning for more exchanges.

Wong gave a talk titled “Global Citizenship, Friendships and Partnerships“ at GLV, briefing listerners about the tendency of globalization. His speech met positive light laughter and questions from students. Prosen was a little surprised: “They completely understand it ！ It‘s not easy, because it‘s not only about language ！ “

The delegation later visited Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Campus and Jilin University Zhuhai. As the first stop of the delegation in Mainland China , Zhuhai delighted the visitors with its clean and picturesque environment. The delegation left for Beijing on Saturday and will then go to Xi‘an, the last stop of the visit.

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