In order to express the sincerity of actively participating in the post-earthquake reconstruction in Sichuan, at the end of June, 2008, new york State University (SUNY) proposed to China that it would like to invite 150 Sichuan college students from the earthquake-stricken areas to study in this school 1 year. As soon as this proposal was put forward, it was taken seriously by the leaders of the State Council and the Ministry of Education. The Department of International Cooperation and Exchange of the Ministry of Education quickly formulated the project implementation plan, and designated the National Scholarship Fund Committee (CSC) as the specific implementation agency to be responsible for the project implementation.
According to the implementation plan, 13 colleges and universities started the selection work after the project implementation kick-off meeting was held on July 9. Principals of all schools gave up summer vacation and worked overtime, conveyed the notice of project selection to undergraduates from the hardest-hit areas in Sichuan at the first time and to the greatest extent, and assessed the comprehensive quality and English level of applicants through written tests and interviews. After several rounds of screening in colleges and universities, according to the principle of merit, 180 students finally stood out from nearly 2,000 applicants and obtained the qualification to participate in the expert interview organized by the National Scholarship Fund Committee.
After expert evaluation, * * 150 people were admitted. In order to ensure that students can go to the United States on August 15, China and the United States make joint efforts to provide as much convenience as possible in handling passports, visas and booking air tickets for students.
On August 13, the National Scholarship Fund Committee held a pre-departure training meeting in Chengdu. On August 15, all 150 Sichuan students flew from Chengdu to new york wearing uniform blue T-shirts. The students' good and neat team image and energetic spirit make people stop and watch along the way.
On the evening of August 16, Consul General Peng Keyu of the Consulate General of China in new york hosted a reception to welcome 150 Sichuan students to new york. 17 In August, 22 branches of new york State University sent special personnel to take 150 students back to school from the collective activity place, and then conducted intensive English training for about two weeks, and finally entered the professional learning course. According to different branch schools, some students will live in dormitories for foreign students, while others will live in local families. At the same time, the United States will encourage and support students' families in different ways according to the actual situation of the disaster.