Sino-US Bridge Program (SUBP)

SUBP Members with distinguished members of the U.S. Embassy on 6/13/2024. From left to right: Austin Slaymaker, Special Assistant to the Minister Counselor for Management; Shari Bistransky, Deputy Public Affairs Officer; Claire Liebmann, Political Officer; and Mark Maloney, ECON Officer.

About the program

Students accepted into the SUBP program will travel across China in cities such as: Beijing, the capital, Shanghai, the financial center, Hangzhou, the e-commerce capital, and Shenzhen, the Silicon Valley of China to explore 8-10 top universities and technology companies and gain insights into China’s significant advancements and contributions in key fields.

Pre-Trip Preparation

  • US and Chinese students will engage in online collaborative learning to prepare for upcoming visits to universities, businesses, and cities
    • They will prepare analytical cases on topics such as “Shenzhen’s development history” or “TEMU/Pinduoduos rapid rise in the US market”
  • Record students’ perspectives on universities, businesses, and cities before their visits
  • SUBP program managers will help students adress challenges related to mobile connection, language, payment, and transportation

During the Trip

Throughout the program, students will engage in a diverse range of activities, such as:

  • Discuss with professors and students in Chinese universities
  • Gain exposure to industry experts and business executives
  • Experience Chinese culture through food, tours, and extracurricular activities
  • Implement comprehensive assessments to ensure students receive the most benefits of the program
  • Regularly share students’ first-hand experiences and actively engage with students in the US to increase the awareness of the program

The tentative itinerary of the program includes the following cities:
Beijing Shanghai Hangzhou Shenzhen Fuzhou Xiamen
  • Peking University
  • Tsinghua University
  • Baidu
  • ByteDance (TikTok)
  • Fudan University
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University
  • Pinduoduo (PDD)
  • High-speed Railway
  • Zhejiang University
  • Alibaba Headquarters
  • First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University
  • Shenzhen University
  • Tencent (WeChat)
  • BYD
  • China-U.S. Youth Summit
  • Xiamen University

After the trip

  • Record and analyze changes in students’ perspectives on universities, businesses, and cities before and after their visits
  • Conduct a professional seminar with an expert team to develop effective method to address stark imbalance in Sino-US academic exchange

How will you benefit?

  • Aligns With Both Countries’ Advocacies
    • SUBP aligns with the interests and initiatives of both the US and Chinese governments.
    • U.S. Embassy officials will brief participants on U.S.- China relations and policy priorities. A departure press release in which the Chinese Consulate General in New York will be invited is also being planned.
  • Career Opportunities
    • All of the companies we are planning to visit have US operations. It is worthwhile noting that they are all currently hiring while many US corporations freeze hire or are going through layoffs
  • Leadership Development
    • Access to top mentors and industry experts for academic and professional growth
  • Networking
    • Connect with diverse peers, mentors, and professionals in the U.S. and China
  • Exposure
    • Immersive academic, technological, and cultural experiences in China
    • Media exposure through outlets like Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and more

Costs

Student Personal Expenses Covered:

  • The ONLY Academic/Career exchange program FULLY funded for 30-days in-China expenses.
  • 30-day In-China Expenses: including all activities, meals, and transportation arrangements within China, with accommodation in 4-star or above hotels.

Student Personal Expenses NOT Covered:

  • International Flight Tickets: We are working to secure the most favorable group international flight discounts, estimated to be between $1500 and $3000+.
  • Program Cost: $1000, including international travel insurance, visa application fee, uniforms, materials, pre-trip training and orientation, in-US activities, etc.

SUBP General, Administrative and Marketing Cost are fully funded by AC Future Education and Youth4AM.


Scholarships

Youth4AM Scholarship

For students seeking financial assistance, details of their financial needs and any supporting documentation are needed.

Students will be considered for scholarships with the following assessment criteria: the highest scholarship available may cover the entirety of the student’s self-funded portion.

Scholarships will be given after the trip and the amount given to selected students will be based on their contribution to the program, such as Leadership and Social Media during the program.

  • Academic Standing: GPA and SAT scores (proof must be submitted to be considered for the scholarship)
  • Leadership: Active involvement as club and/or community leaders
  • Interest: Demonstrated interest & knowledge in China
    • Have a foundational understanding of the Chinese language
    • Know of major, technology development (companies & industries), culture (cities)
  • Social Media Presence: Ability to promote the program through a positive social media presence

Scholarships will be given after the trip and the amount given to selected students will be based on their contribution to the program, such as Leadership and Social Media during the program.

Work Opportunities

We also encourage students who are NYC residents to apply to SYEP through Youth4AM to work on the Sino-US Bridge Program after the trip. This work will take place during July and August remotely for $16 an hour.

There will also be work opportunities for students following the program, throughout the summer or throughout the year.

Application Details

Criteria to join:

  • Citizenship Status: U.S. citizen or green card holder. We welcome applicants of all ethnicities to apply.
  • Current college students (Students graduating in years 2024+)

We look for dedicated, ambitious college students, who set high goals and have shown impressive leadership skills, as well as has a curiosity surrounding Chinese culture and their intellectual and technological advancements.

The application timeline is as follows:

APPLY

Rolling until Mid-May

INTERVIEWS

Rolling until Mid-May

APPLICATION DECISIONS

Rolling until Mid-May

FINAL CONFIRMATION

Rolling until Mid-May

DAY OF TRIP DEPARTURE

Between June 6-8