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The Oregon International Internship Program (OIIP) at CASLS started off as a link with Tamagawa University in Japan about 10 years ago. The model was then adapted by Yifang Zhang six years ago for Chinese and Taiwanese students. The program selects between 25 and 30 junior and senior students majoring in education from five partner schools in China and Taiwan. The OIIP is different from other regular exchanges because the students are placed in elementary schools (K-5) in Eugene and Springfield (OR) while living with a homestay family. Their five-month experience overseas is also maximized by the mentor support they receive. "It is a very meaningful program for our students in Asia. I'm always fascinated by their transformations and seeing how much they have grown," says Li-Hsien Yang, East Asia Special Programs Coordinator.

So what do the students do?

• Write two journals: one in Chinese to reflect on their own experience at school and in the US; and the other in English, to work on their personal statement or lesson plans with the help of a tutor.
• Have weekly intercultural lessons that may include guest speakers and debriefing on their journals.
• Carry out classroom observations to learn about teaching methods and classroom management, and also to offer to help their master teachers.
• Run after school programs, share their culture in presentations, or even help with other subjects.