The Goals of the China Service and Study Tour are:

• To provide students with a personal encounter with Chinese culture by working and serving with a Chinese aid and educational organization. 

• To provide a deeper understanding of the importance of China in the world today (as well as a more meaningful context for their travel experience) through regular before school meetings for five month before departing for China, and an additional two months of post travel reflection and activities. 

• To foster more informed understanding of China through history, literature, news and current events. Students are required to read and study about China during the summer and the months prior to departure. 

• To strengthen TSOTA’s China-related curriculum by providing an experiential opportunity for students to engage in Chinese history, economics, arts, language and culture. 

• To improve relations with international educators in China for future opportunities which may foster greater participation for Tacoma School District students.