China-America Student Conference

Program Overview

Bridging Horizons, Building Futures
跨越山海，共筑未来

ChASC 5 invites students to examine how shared goals and divergent perspectives can coexist in a complex global landscape. Against the backdrop of the U.S.-China relationship, delegates will explore questions of cooperation, conflict, and cultural preservation — building the skills and empathy needed to bridge divides.

• Applications open: Fall 2025
• Conference dates: July 3 – 24, 2026
• Sites: Washington, DC, Missoula, MT, in the USA, and Kunming, Yunnan, and Beijing, China

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Roundtables

Each delegate joins a Roundtable (RT)—a small, cross-cultural group that explores one dimension of the U.S.–China relationship. Roundtables meet regularly throughout the conference, using dialogue, case studies, and collaborative projects to dig into their chosen theme. At the end, each group presents its insights at the Final Forum, sharing student-led perspectives with peers and invited guests.

Roundtables are chaired by members of the Executive Committee but shaped by the delegates themselves. Each topic becomes a lens to examine bilateral issues while encouraging students to think critically about cultural context, policy implications, and possible paths forward.

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Delegate Experience

Cultural Exchange
Living, eating, and traveling side by side, delegates build friendships across cultures while experiencing China firsthand — from vibrant urban centers to historic landmarks and local traditions.

Daily Life
You’ll attend roundtable sessions, site visits, and guest lectures, all led by your peers and shaped by current global conversations. Expect lively debates, collaborative research, and late-night group discussions that carry on long after formal programming ends.

Housing & Meals

Delegates stay in shared housing in each host city. Meals are provided throughout the program, with efforts made to accommodate dietary needs. An ISC representative travels with the group for the full duration of the conference to provide support and respond in case of emergencies.

World-Class Access
ChASC offers opportunities to meet diplomats, scholars, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Delegates often visit government offices, cultural institutions, and organizations that shape U.S.–China relations.

Academics
ChASC emphasizes dialogue over debate. Roundtables provide space for delegates to share perspectives, explore complex issues together, and learn through collaboration. The Final Forum brings these conversations together in presentations open to peers and guests.

Social Time
Delegates also enjoy informal time together — whether through karaoke nights, food outings, cultural activities, or simple downtime. These shared experiences are often what make ChASC friendships last long after the program ends.

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Meet the Executive Committee

The China-America Student Conference is led entirely by students. Each year, returning delegates from the U.S. and China form a binational Executive Committee (EC) responsible for building the next conference from the ground up.

They design the theme, select sites, recruit delegates, and lead the Roundtables. During the program, ECs serve as mentors, coordinators, and facilitators.

ChASC 5 is brought to life by this year’s dedicated student leaders:

• Li Liao 李嫽, Chinese Chair, Beijing Foreign Studies University
• Erik Larson, American Chair, Indiana University Bloomington
• Yuxuan Liu 刘雨璇, Programming, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
  Cecil Brooks Jr., Treasurer / Fundraising, Georgetown University (Recent Graduate)
• Yiting Yang 杨奕婷, Secretary & Marketing, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
• Yiran Wang 王艺冉, Secretary & Marketing, Zhejiang University

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How to Apply

Eligibility

• Open to undergraduate and graduate students who are 18+ years old at the time of the conference. 
• Must be enrolled at an accredited university either during the application period or in the fall semester after the program concludes. 
• All majors and fields of study are welcome. 
• English proficiency is required (Chinese is not required).

What You’ll Need

• Complete online application
• Resume or CV
• University transcript
• One letter of recommendation
• No application fee required for ChASC 2026

Application

COMING SOON!

Timeline & Process

After you apply, you may be invited to a short virtual interview within two weeks

Final decisions will be announced in mid-to-late January (U.S. delegation) and mid-March (Chinese delegation)

If accepted, you’ll be asked to submit a $500 deposit to confirm your spot

Information Sessions

Join an online info session to learn more about ChASC before you apply:

COMING SOON!

Need Help?

Download the Applicant Packet (Coming Soon) for more details. For questions, email ChASC@iscdc.org or connect with us on Instagram @ChASC_official.

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Cost & Scholarships  

Participation Fee: $3,000

Thanks to our generous supporters, every accepted delegate automatically receives a scholarship of over $3,000 — bringing the participation fee down from $7,000 to $3,000.

Your participation fee covers:

• Housing in each city
• All meals
• All in-country travel and logistics 
• International flights between the U.S. and China. 
• Cultural activities and academic programming 
• International travel and health insurance

What’s not included:

• A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to secure your spot if accepted
• Travel to and from the starting and ending cities
• Personal expenses (souvenirs, snacks, food and beverages beyond provided meals, etc…)

We’re committed to making ChASC 5 financially accessible. Each year, 50-60% of delegates receive full or partial funding through ISC’s Plant a Diplomatic Tree Scholarship, their universities, or from our generous partners. Our Executive Committee is here to support you in securing the resources you need.

Start by visiting our Funding Your Conference page for tips and scholarship opportunities. Still have questions? Reach out to the ISC office at info@iscdc.org or contact the ChASC Executive Committee directly at ChASC@iscdc.org. We’re here to help.