Institute of Sino American Studies

The mission of the Institute of Sino-American Studies (ISAS) is to offer innovative cultural and environmental educational experiences from a framework of traditional Chinese culture and American thought. The goal is to foster awareness, understanding and growth in the individual in order to strengthen the foundations of peace and friendship among people of many cultures. Our focus is the "Child and Family in Community." Our work center is Overfelt Gardens, a teaching park, which includes the six-acre Chinese Cultural Garden, located in San Jose, California. We support and encourage the development of environmental and cultural tours and programs for the general public, but especially for school children. We work in cooperation with park rangers and staff to care for, nurture and renew the awareness needed to sustain the diversity and beauty of life on the planet.