Building a Dialogue program is like building a 1000-piece puzzle. There are so many variables -- the locations, the speakers, the host institutions, the host families, and the students. The list goes on. Often time I found myself waking up from a dream, remembering one more piece of information that I needed to obtain from my contacts in China.

After a 10-month preparation and a 9-year trial, I am thrilled to lead my 10th China Dialogue in Summer 1! We have not only a new base in Chengdu, China, but also a strong team of 20 motivated students and two experienced leaders. After lots of readings, discussions, meetings, and writings about China prior to the trip, we are all excited and looking forward to the experience.

Let the countdown start! The next report will be from Beijing, China. Stay tuned!

- Hua Dong