A short stay with a lasting influence

Short-term study tours have become popular among Chinese parents who want their children to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures.

It took just a matter of minutes for Yang Min, from Taizhou, Zhejiang province, to decide whether she should allow her 14-year-old daughter to join a summer camp in Canada in 2012.

"I wanted Xie Huan to get away from home and experience different aspects of life in other countries, which would not only benefit her by broadening her knowledge, but also help her make more friends," said Yang, who saw the camp as a great chance for her shy daughter to become more confident and independent and teach her how to work as part of a team.