Students in Zhejiang give money to Expo workers

A group of Zhejiang Province college students donate the money they made in an unusual university program to Expo 2010 construction workers.

A group of Zhejiang Province college students yesterday donated the money they made in an unusual university program to construction workers on the Shanghai 2010 World Expo site.

Six boys and 15 girls from Zhejiang Normal University were given only 50 yuan (US$7.35) each to survive 15 days in Shanghai as part of the university's "Testing Viability" program.

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It started the program 10 years ago to send young students into the world to find out just how hard life can be. Each participant received 50 yuan to cover 15 days in the city, involving meals, transport and accommodation.

They survived the experience by taking on a variety of work, from family tutor and secretary to restaurant waiter or waitress and supermarket worker. Yesterday, they donated the leftover money - 6,835.7 yuan - to Expo construction workers.

Tan Yuliang, leader of the team, said students were touched by the enthusiasm of Shanghai residents in serving the 2010 World Expo.

"The Expo is a national event so we hope to contribute to it," Tan said, adding that the donation was a unanimous decision.

Students also staged performances at the Expo site yesterday.

Earlier tests have sent students to live Xiamen in Fujian Province, Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, Beijing and Tianjin.