Last modified: Monday, May 20, 2002
Chinese college students and faculty coming to IU to visit HPER colleagues
A group of Chinese graduate students and faculty from Beijing University of Physical Education are coming to Indiana University as a follow-up to the hike along the Great Wall of China last spring by a group from IU.
The IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, which has worked cooperatively on projects with BUPE for 10 years, will host the May 30-June 10 event that has a theme of "ChIndiaNA."
HPER Associate Dean David Gallahue said a variety of educational and recreational activities are being planned for the Chinese guests, many of whom have never been to the United States. "We want to combine the opportunity for them to learn about IU and HPER with the chance to visit some locations off campus that relate to the recreation, health and fitness interests of both schools," explained Gallahue, who will become dean of HPER on July 1.
Gallahue, who directed the IU trip to China last May, said the visitors will participate in a three-day camping trip in southern Indiana that will be highlighted by two 12-mile hikes along Knobstone Trail near Delaney Park and Deam Lake. Included will be a section of the American Discovery Trail that spans the United States similar to the way the Great Wall spans China.
"Many of our Chinese guests helped arrange a wonderful trip for us last May, and we want to reciprocate by showing them the best of Indiana University and the state of Indiana," said Gallahue.
The visitors, along with several HPER participants from the Great Wall walk, also will tour the Wyandotte Caves, canoe along the Blue River, and visit the former state capital in Corydon and the landmark West Baden Springs Hotel.
The visitors, who include seven faculty members and nine students, also will spend two days in Indianapolis. Activities there will include visits to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the NCAA Hall of Champions, the State Capitol and the Indiana State Museum, as well as attending an Indianapolis Fever basketball game and an Indianapolis Indians baseball game.
Academic activities will include tours of the programs and facilities at HPER and a student research exchange. "We want this opportunity to be both an educational and a recreational experience for our friends from BUPE," Gallahue said, "which is why we are cooperatively pursuing an academic exchange involving research projects related to health, kinesiology and recreation. The hiking and other recreational events reflect the joint mission goals for HPER and BUPE of living well through healthy lifestyles."
Gallahue noted that partial funding for the Chinese students is from donations from the 40 IU faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends who participated in the 2001 Great Wall Walk. He said gifts and donations to HPER also are helping with expenses for the Chinese delegation, along with contributions from the visiting BUPE students and faculty.
For more information, contact Gallahue at 812-855-1561 or gallahue@indiana.edu. The Web site on the IU trip to China is at https://www.greatwallwalk.indiana.edu.
