Please stop it 'crabs in a barrel' poster. I get tired of that on every YY thread. Some things can and should be imrpoved upon. They are brought up here and talked about openly. Some crazies post, some normal people post and eventually it averages out for the most part. Silence could imply concent or agreement. In the case of kids not going on the trip, perhaps it can be argued that it was a reasonable choice and not a forced situation but there are flaws with that argument which don't need to be rehashed. It will be more salient to think of it as a problem going forward. This is intended to be a yearly event and some of the funding issues need to be thought through.

As for the trip itself there were no major issues. However it was a very expensive tourist-type trip with only a very little bit of authentic interaction. For example, the "home stay" was only sleeping in a home one night getting in late and leaving early in the morning. The idea is to discuss things and improve on them for future grades.

The complainers are simply crabs in a barrel.

Did any of the people bitching about how unfair it might be offer to pony any money up to help?

Nope, thought not.

Anonymous wrote:That must be comforting to those who got left behind. Thanks for the update.

God, they weren't LEFT BEHIND. Funds were made available so that all the kids could afford to go. I don't know how the kids whose parents CHOSE NOT TO SEND THEM feel, but I'm sure they will be comforted by the constant bitching on DCUM about their plight.

That must be comforting to those who got left behind. Thanks for the update.

Just in case anyone was curious...the trip went off without a hitch.

Anonymous wrote:Here's MY WAY to fund this trip:

1. Take kids to China
2. Tour factories in Guangzhou or wherever.
3. Buy stuff from the factories.
4. Bring it back to the U.S. (each kid can bring back $400 worth, duty free). Sell it here as a "fund raiser", in person or online. Trip paid for!

What would the educational goals of the trip be?

1. See how the crap you buy gets made.
2. Realize that you should aspire to do really well in school, otherwise, you will be LUCKY if you even get a job like those in the factory have.
3. Learn how to buy low and sell high.
4. Bonus: Memorize Chinese slogans on display in big characters at the factories, like "Work harder for better life"! or "Birth control is everyone's responsibility!"

I discussed my proposals with Yu Ying's leadership, but alas, no one seemed interested in changing the current trip format. So anyone want to organize their own trip along these lines?

Funny post PP. Would not most of the crap you bring back be knock-offs that you are sold on Canal Street in NYC?

Anonymous wrote:Wow. Hostile much? and actually you're wrong. 16 had committed before the board funding was announced.

Nope, only 11 were committed. The others came after the monetary commitment. I am not hostile at all. I am glad the board came up with the money. This class was given very short notice of the event and I think it was a kind gesture on the board's part. But don't be fooled, a lot of those kids unfortunately would not have been able to participate without the board's generosity.

Here's MY WAY to fund this trip:

1. Take kids to China
2. Tour factories in Guangzhou or wherever.
3. Buy stuff from the factories.
4. Bring it back to the U.S. (each kid can bring back $400 worth, duty free). Sell it here as a "fund raiser", in person or online. Trip paid for!

What would the educational goals of the trip be?

1. See how the crap you buy gets made.
2. Realize that you should aspire to do really well in school, otherwise, you will be LUCKY if you even get a job like those in the factory have.
3. Learn how to buy low and sell high.
4. Bonus: Memorize Chinese slogans on display in big characters at the factories, like "Work harder for better life"! or "Birth control is everyone's responsibility!"

I discussed my proposals with Yu Ying's leadership, but alas, no one seemed interested in changing the current trip format. So anyone want to organize their own trip along these lines?

Anonymous wrote:Wow. Hostile much? and actually you're wrong. 16 had committed before the board funding was announced.

Some of them said yes but didn't pay the deposit, so you are both correct.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does this thread never die?

Why do you keep clicking on it if it troubles you so?

Click,click!!!

Wow. Hostile much? and actually you're wrong. 16 had committed before the board funding was announced.

Anonymous wrote:FYI: 22 out of 30 students are confirmed going on the trip.

Well yeah. The board is subsidizing their trip. Before that commitment of funds, it was only 11 out of 30.

Anonymous wrote:FYI: 22 out of 30 students are confirmed going on the trip.

How many of the 22 will be accompanied by a parent?

FYI: 22 out of 30 students are confirmed going on the trip.