Spring Break Study Trip
2025-2026 Theme: Hunan in Transition
Experience how China is rapidly changing in key areas such as education, health, and urban development during a visit to Hunan province over spring break.
The trip to Hunan—with time in the rapidly developing second tier city of Changsha and in rural western Hunan--will take place during Yale’s spring break from March 7-16th.
Witness firsthand on how Hunan has changed in several broad areas: education, health, urban development, and culture/history.
Program Faculty Advisor: Professor Daniel Mattingly
What will I learn and see during the Hunan in Transition Study Trip?
You will spend five days in Changsha and two days in rural western Hunan province visiting schools, hospitals, rural community health projects, and more, including attending Yale-China’s Annual Health Conference in Changsha. You will also be paired up with university students in Changsha who grew up in western Hunan to learn about their experiences. By the end of the trip, you will have a new understanding of the dynamic changes taking place in Hunan.
What are the requirements for the trip? Is there homework?
To prepare for the trip, students will be expected to attend three preparatory lectures by subject-matter experts in the thematic topics we will be discussing (education, healthcare, culture/history, and urbanization) and a logistical preparation session. The sixteen students on the trip will then be divided into four groups based on thematic interest. Each group will be assigned to research and share their findings about two or three places we visit that are directly relevant to their theme.
During the trip, there will be required daily debriefing sessions to process each day’s visits and meetings.
A 2–3-page reflective post-trip report will be required to summarize key learnings. There will also be a post-trip presentation by all participants to a public audience including Yale-China representatives and Yale faculty.
What is the cost of the trip?
The trip is fully funded, including airfare, travel, food, lodging, visa expenses, etc.
Travel to Hunan is subject to public health conditions and Yale University guidelines.
Who can apply?
Yale undergraduate students who are at an L4 or higher Mandarin level (or will be taking L4 this spring) [KR1] are eligible for the trip on an application basis. 10 Yale undergraduate students will be selected to join the trip.
Because this program is also relevant for medical students wishing to better understand China, there will be 6 additional spots reserved for Yale medical students who will apply directly for the program through Yale Medical School. Medical students interested in learning more about the application process should contact leslie.stone@yale.edu.
How do I apply and when is the deadline?
All applicants submit an online application.
Top applicants will then be invited to individual interviews.
This year’s application deadline is December 1, 2025.
The trip is only for the first week of spring break. Can I stay in China for the second week?
Yes. Yale-China will arrange for flights to and from Hunan at the start and end of the program. If you prefer to make your own arrangements to travel elsewhere for the second week of break (whether in China or not) Yale-China will cover the cost of your travel up to the cost of the direct trip back to New Haven.
I still have questions. What should I do?
Contact Education staff.
Attend an info session. All info sessions are held at 442 Temple Street
Thursday. November 13 at 1 pm
Wednesday, November 19th at 4:30 pm