The VMS 2018 China trip was one of the greatest experiences in my life. I think that I learned so much from the trip and I think that my most significant experience on the trip was when the group went dancing in the park. For me, it was first off......Read More

After 10 days that felt at times like minutes and at times like months, the VMS China Students are safely on their way to LAX.  We had an exciting last night sharing a spicy hotpot and tasting exotic foods after which we closed the experience with......Read More

Some images from the historic world heritage site of Lijiang. Happy Chinese New Year!...Read More

We started the day with and early rise at 5:30 A.M., to find our Nai Nai(Grandmother) already making us a breakfast. She was making us a delicious soup with egg and chopped up bits of sausage. After slamming down as much as humanly possible, we......Read More

To end our third day the group had the opportunity to be able to ride on an over night train. When we entered the Kunming train station, group decided to put our bags down in order to get ready for the new journey ahead. Some decided to stay by the......Read More

After our hike to the temple and taking the silk road back down to civilization, the group stopped to eat some noodles. While eating our noodles, we found a xiao peng you (little friend) that happened to be a monk. He and his other monk friends......Read More

Sit spots, basketball and mandalas at the Buddhist monastery near our homestay village....Read More

Activities and lessons at South Cloud Retreat in Jixiang....Read More

Yoga and QiGong at South Retreat. A debrief in the courtyard....Read More

A few images of our group, riding the sleeper train overnight from Kunming to Lijiang. Exploring the Chinese New Year Markets in Lijiang. Taking time to reflect on the Yak board and sipping tea in Lijiang. Hiking out to Jixiang, and arriving at......Read More

During our meeting with the students at the Champion Learning Center our Chinese Friends performed for us. There were so many great performances (not including ours) but the one that really stood out was from our friend Jack. Jack sang for everyone......Read More

After already spending a day in China, we had the opportunity to visit the Champion Learning School. While we were there we able to have conversations in both Mandarin and English with the kids. During our time there we did introductions in......Read More

Traditional Chinese Medicine is widely practiced throughout China. We had the chance to visit the largest TCM hospital in Kunming. At this hospital they utilize acupuncture, massage, herbs, and moxibustion. We were fortunate enough to see treatments......Read More

Constantly being comfortably lost within unfamiliar faces that at first seemed all to similar to each other. All with veins tangled in untamed eyes and friendly smiles. Our attempts to bargain with people for things we desired in the market taught......Read More

Students did a great job with the long travel. They arrived and settled into their guesthouse in the heart of Kunming near Green Lake Park. More updates to come!...Read More

The group arrived safely in Kunming. We are all checked into our hostel and just had our first meal of traditional Yunnanese dishes. The students are off to get a good nights rest before visiting a Traditonal Chinese Medicine hospital tomorrow and......Read More