Middle School Mandarin Immersion Program

About the Program

BGEMS has received feedback from middle school students who wish to go to China, but our program is only designed for high school students. For the first time, BGEMS will offer two “Mandarin Immersion Program” trips specific for middle school students. This will provide middle school students with an opportunity to experience China without leaving the U.S. There is such a rich history of Chinese culture in the U.S. along with in-class language designed to provide a holistic perspective of the Chinese culture. The dates of the trip are June 7 through June 21, 2026, and BGEMS will offer the following opportunity:

San Francisco, California for five days, Flushing, New York for four days, and then head to Chicago, IL for an additional four days.

San Francisco, CA / New York, NY / Chicago, IL
Mandarin Immersion Program

June 7 - June 21, 2026

(5) DAYS IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA

(4) DAYS IN NEW YORK, NY

(4) DAYS IN CHICAGO, IL

Starting off in San Francisco, California home of the inaugural Chinatown’s in the U.S. formed in 1848 and the original fortune cookie factory and the Chinatown Alley. Then continue to New York, NY the home of the popular Chinatown’s and the famous for its Chinatown Night Markets. Then to Chicago, Illinois where we will immerse in the many Chinese monuments and dive into meal delicious traditional Chinese cuisine.

During this trip, you will see multiple historic places only read about before now. We will visit Museums, and multiple famous monuments to develop a true understanding of culture, and language. Other historic sites include Overview of San Francisco and Chicago Chinatown history, community, and art.
We will experience China’s culture unlike any sponsored trip before without leaving the U.S.
Upon the conclusion of the trip, you will have completed a portfolio presentation of your experience at our “Closing Ceremony.”

$3,000

The first deposit ($2,000.00) on February 20, 2026. The final payment ($1,000.00) will be due on or before March 31, 2026. All expenses include domestic airfare, meals, lodging, transportation and tour fees. PLEASE NOTE: Student spending money is not included.

Middle School Mandarin Immersion Requirements

Middle School Immersion Trip Requirements

Open to any middle school students going in 6, 7 & 8th Grade for the 2025-2026 Academic School Year.
Must have a state issued ID.
Must have two letters of recommendation from your school:
- One must be from your school administration (Principal, guidance couselor, etc..), and
- One must be from your school faculty (Teachers, Coach, etc..).
500 word essay
- What is your purpose for going on the trip?
- What you wish to attain from the trip?
- What they are most looking forward to on the trip?
Each student will present a presentation at the end of the trip at our “Closing Ceremony.”
- Presentation must be the showcasing of a new skill learned during the trip, such as a poem, song, dance, musicual instrument, etc..

Middle school Mandarin Immersion Itinerary

Sunday, June 7th

• 5:00pm- Arrive in San Francisco

• 6:30pm-7pm- Welcome Ceremony & Dinner

• 7:30- Check into Hotel (TBD)

Monday, June 8th

• 7:00am- Breakfast

• 7:30am- 9:30am- Introduction into Mandarin Language

• 10:00am – 11:30am- Travel to Old Cathedral of St. Mary

• 12:00pm-1:30pm- Lunch

• 2:00pm- 4:30pm-Travel to Chinatown’s Waverly Place

• 5:00-6:30- Dinner

Tuesday, June 9th

• 7:00am- Breakfast

• 7:30am- 9:30am- Introduction into Mandarin Language & Calligraphy

• 10:00am – 11:30am- Tin How Temple

• 12:00pm-1:30pm- Lunch

• 2:00pm- 4:30pm Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

• 5:00pm-6:30pm- Dinner

Wednesday, June 10th

• 7:00am- Breakfast

• 7:30am- 9:30am- Introduction into Mandarin Language & Chinese Games

• 10:00am – 11:30am- Fusion Dumpling Making

• 12:00pm- 1:30pm- Lunch

• 2:00pm- 4:30pm- Chinese Tea Ceremony

• 5:00pm- 6:30pm- Dinner

Thursday, June 11th

• 7:00am- Breakfast

• 7:30am- 9:30am- Introduction into Mandarin Language & Peking Opera

• 10:00am – 11:30am- Chinese Historical Society

• 12:00pm- 1:30pm- Lunch

• 2:00pm- 4:30pm- Chinatown’s Golden Gate

•5:00pm- 6:30pm- Dinner

Friday, June 12th

• 8:00am Breakfast

• 5:00pm- Arrive in New York & Travel to Hotel

• 6:30pm-7:00pm- Welcome Ceremony & Dinner

• 7:30pm- Check into Hotel

Saturday, June 13th

• 7:00am- Breakfast

• 7:30am- 9:30am- Introduction into Mandarin Language

• 10:00am – 11:30am- Mahayana Buddhist Teample & Museum of Chinese in America

• 12:00pm-1:30pm- Lunch

• 2:00pm- 4:30pm- Canal Street Market

• 5:00pm -6:30pm- Dinner

Sunday, June 14th

• 7:00am- Breakfast

• 7:30am- 9:30am- Introduction into Mandarin Language & Calligraphy

• 10:00am – 11:30am- Columbus Park & Mei Lei Wah Bakery

• 12:00pm-1:30pm- Lunch

• 2:00pm- 4:30pm- The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory & Pell Street

• 5:00pm -6:30pm- Dinner

Monday, June 15th

• 7:00am- Breakfast

• 7:30am- 9:30am- Introduction into Mandarin Language & Peking Opera

• 10:00am – 11:30am- Kim Lau Arch at Chatham Square

• 12:00pm-1:30- Lunch

• 2:00pm- 4:30pm- Chinatown Night Market

• 5:00pm -6:30pm- Dinner

Tuesday, June 16th

• 8:00am Breakfast

• Travel to Chicago, IL

• 5:00pm-8:00pm- Dinner & Check into Hotel

Wednesday, June 17th

• 7:00am- Breakfast

• 7:30am- 9:30am- Introduction into Mandarin Language & Poetry/Literature

• 10:00am – 11:30am– Chicago Gate of Chinatown & Chicago Public Library, Chinatown Branch.

• 12:00am-1:30am- Lunch

• 2:00pm-4:30pm- The Chinese American Museum of Chicago

• 5:00pm-6:30pm- Dinner

Thursday, June 18th

• 7:00am- Breakfast

• 7:30am- 9:30am- Introduction into Mandarin Language & Taichi/Kung Fu

• 10:00am – 11:30amam-Pui Tak Center & Heritage Museum of Asian Art

• 12:00pm- 1:30pm- Lunch

• 2:00pm-4:30pm- Pui Tak Center & Chui Quon Bakery

• 5:00pm-6:30pm- Dinner

Friday, June 19th

• 7:00am- Breakfast

• 7:30am- 9:30am- Introduction into Mandarin Language & Dragon Boat Festival

• 10:00am – 11:30am– Ping Tom Memorial Park & Nine Dragon Wall

• 12:00pm-1:30pm- Lunch

• 2:00pm-4:30pm- St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church

• 5:00pm-6:30pm – Dinner

Saturday, June 21st

• Departure Back Home!

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Terrill Martin

(270)-792-9330 (Cell Phone)

terrill.m[email protected]

Discover Culture, Spark Your Curiosity!

Apply Now

Middle School Mandarin Immersion Program

About the Program

San Francisco, CA / New York, NY / Chicago, IL Mandarin Immersion Program

June 7 - June 21, 2026

(5) DAYS IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA (4) DAYS IN NEW YORK, NY (4) DAYS IN CHICAGO, IL

$3,000

Middle School Mandarin Immersion Requirements

Middle school Mandarin Immersion Itinerary

Saturday, June 21st

• Departure Back Home!

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Terrill Martin

(270)-792-9330 (Cell Phone)

terrill.m[email protected]

Discover Culture, Spark Your Curiosity!

San Francisco, CA / New York, NY / Chicago, IL
Mandarin Immersion Program

(5) DAYS IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA

(4) DAYS IN NEW YORK, NY

(4) DAYS IN CHICAGO, IL