BCS Advantage Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 8

Destination: China Devin Rogers, BCEC Graduate Class of 2017, poses in Tong Li, “The Venice of the East.” In January, a group of thirteen Buncombe County Early College (BCEC) students and two teachers traveled to China. For two weeks, they explored the culture in some of the country’s largest cities. They toured universities and met Chinese students, as well as international students. The BCEC group also got a behind-the-scenes look at seven different businesses that specialize in everything from pharmaceuticals to video game software engineering to silk production. The students got an inside look at careers in large and small Chinese businesses. Teachers say this experience will open doors for students, especially if they want to go abroad for college or their career. “It’s hard to put into words how important this trip was to our students. A lot of the people that they met and the culture that they experienced was so new to them. They now realize what a big world it is and, I think, have more confidence to go out and explore it!” – Rachel Grandis Spanish teacher, Early College BCEC Biology teacher, Julie Maimes, poses in Tong Li, “The Venice of the East.” 6