Discover China 2026

Summer Youth Exchange Program

Jiangsu Program

Xinjiang Program

Discovery Series: 1

📍Su Zhou & NanJing, China • June 6 - June 16, 2026

（Open to High School Students • Ages 16-19）

Discover Jiangsu

This program is designed to foster international friendship and cultural understanding through:

Academic Exchange:

Engaging visits and interactions at local high schools and universities.

Corporate Insight:

First-hand looks into local corporate environments.

Cultural Immersion:

Exploring world-class museums, tranquil gardens, and significant historical landmarks.

Join us for a 9-day experience that bridges the gap between classrooms and the global stage.

JIANGSU Itinerary

APPLY TO JIANGSU PROGRAM

Application ends on March 31, 2026

Discovery Series: 2

Discover Xinjiang

📍 June 28 - July 8，2026

（Open to students and young leaders aged 18-28.）

Nature, Sustainability & the Future

Landscape & Creative Fieldwork

Spend extended time in deserts and grasslands — including exposure to camel culture — with ample space for creative fieldwork and exploration.

Agriculture & Adaptation

Visit agricultural and irrigation sites in Turpan to see how communities farm and thrive in extreme environments.

Urban Life & Communities

Explore Urumqi’s markets, neighborhoods, and daily rhythms to understand life in a major western Chinese city.

Environment & Sustainability

Learn about green energy, reforestation, and environmental resilience across desert and grassland landscapes.

XINJIANg Itinerary

APPLY TO XINJIANG PROGRAM

Application ends on March 9, 2026

WHAT IS DISCOVER CHINA?

Discover China is an immersive cultural exchange and storytelling program developed in partnership by U.S.–Sino Culture Experience Consortium (USCEC) and the Odyssey Project.

Together, our two nonprofits connect young people through firsthand learning, university exchange, and youth-led storytelling. We bridge the gap between cultures by empowering participants to not just visit, but to deeply understand and share China's evolving narrative.

❋ Experience modern China. Travel beyond the headlines. Build bonds for a lifetime. Explore history and tell real stories – your way.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Are excited to travel as part of a cohort and build shared community

Are 16-19 years old (Jiangsu Program)
Are 18-28 years old (Xinjiang Program)-28
Are a U.S.-based student or young professional
Have an interest in storytelling, media, culture, or creative expression
Enjoy independence and open-ended travel within a structured program
Are curious, adaptable, and comfortable engaging with complexity

Discover China 2026 is a strong fit if you:

What’s included

Thanks to the generous support of the US-SINO Culture Experience Consortium (USCEC), most travel and lodging expenses are covered. The program fee of $1500 includes:

Travel and Lodging

Round-trip airfare from San Francisco (SFO) to China
Comfortable local accommodations (double occupancy) – Optional single-room upgrade available
Local transportation throughout the program

Experiential Programing

Historical site visits and cultural experiences
Sustainability-focused field visits and local exploration
Peer exchange sessions with Chinese Students
Guided tours

Meals and Daily Necessities

Quality daily meals during the program
Amenities bag with items designed to elevate participant experience in the local environment

Group Discussion

The group discussion shares the discoveries and growth from the journey

❋ Playful Curiosity

Explore how different cultures experience fun and discover hidden strengths by engaging in shared games and challenges.

❋ Leadership and Community

Step into youth leadership by building cross-cultural community that’s grounded in empathy, shared humanity, and a spirit of discovery over division.

❋ Youth in Dialogue

Connect with Chinese students through peer-to-peer seminars, shared activities, and independent exploration – fostering curiosity, empathy, and honest cross-cultural exchange.

❋ Unique Storytelling

Experience, reflect, and create based on your own authentic journey, sharing nuanced human stories that foster understanding, dialogue, and trust beyond borders and headlines.