GOSHEN, Ind. -- Two Montgomery County students are participating in 
the Goshen (Ind.) College Study-Service Term (SST) in China, during 
the fall semester, along with 17 other students. Goshen College became 
the first U.S. college to arrange an undergraduate exchange with the 
People's Republic of China in 1980.

Emma J. Ruth, daughter of Jay and Jane Ruth of Harleysville, is 
majoring in sociology. She is a 2010 graduate of Christopher Dock 
Mennonite High School and attends Salford Mennonite Church.

Chelsea A. Wimmer, daughter of Dean and Julia Wimmer of Telford, is 
majoring in music. She is a 2009 graduate of Christopher Dock 
Mennonite High School and attends Souderton Mennonite Church.

They left for China Aug. 31 and will return to the United States on 
Nov. 29. Jo-Ann Brant and Joe Springer are leading the unit in China. 
Jo-Ann is professor of Bible, religion and philosophy at Goshen 
College and has been on the faculty since 1993. Joe is curator in the 
Mennonite Historical Library and has been on the faculty since 1986.

Students are studying the Chinese language, culture and history at 
China West Normal University for the first six weeks in the city of 
Nanchong while living with host families. Nanchong is located in the 
central province of Sichuan. During the second half of the semester, 
students will spread out to smaller towns in eastern Sichuan province 
to volunteer teaching English in middle and high schools while living 
with host families. The students will also have opportunities for 
field trips to some of China's most famous sites, including the Great 
Wall, the Forbidden City and Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Though there 
are other U.S. colleges and universities who have students living with 
Chinese host families during their study abroad experience, Goshen 
College is one of the first to offer this unique full semester program 
of study and service for college students in China.

"The depth of experience and direct involvement with Chinese culture 
that our students will have is what is so unique about our program," 
said Tom Meyers, director of international education at Goshen College.