In March 2025, the "Spring Shanghai City Walk" international student orientation event, jointly organized by the International Student Office of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) and the New Era Civilization Practice Volunteer Service Sub-center of Quyang Road Subdistrict, successfully concluded. This event not only provided a window for international students enrolling in the spring semester of 2025 to understand Shanghai but also served as a bridge for them to deeply perceive China's modern history and contemporary development. It helped them integrate more quickly into their study life in Shanghai and broaden their horizons for cross-cultural exchanges.

Thirty-five international students from 14 countries, including China, Brazil, Belgium, Poland, Russia, Ecuador, South Korea, Canada, Cameroon, Japan, Thailand, Iraq, Italy, and Indonesia, gathered together and embarked on a unique urban exploration journey led by their senior classmates. From the classical gardens of Quyang Quyuan to the historical imprints of the Shanghai Postal Museum, from the century-old vicissitudes of the Waibaidu Bridge to the modern vitality of North Bund Riverside, and then to the cultural and creative block of Jinchao 8 Lane, the international students wandered through the streets and alleys intertwined with ancient and modern elements, personally experiencing the unique charm of Shanghai, this fascinating city. 

This event was not just a simple city tour but a profound cultural experience. By coming into close contact with Shanghai's historical buildings and modern landmarks, international students gained a more intuitive understanding of China's modern development. The exhibits at the Shanghai Postal Museum provided them with insights into the inception and development of China's modern postal service, while the story of the Waibaidu Bridge made them appreciate Shanghai's significant role in China's modernization process. The bustling scene of the North Bund Riverside and the cultural and creative atmosphere of Jinchao 8 Lane demonstrated China's innovation and vitality in the context of globalization.

The international students who participated in the event all expressed that the "Spring Shanghai City Walk" not only deepened their understanding of Shanghai's cultural heritage but also sparked their keen interest in China's modern history and contemporary development. 

"To be honest, I was very excited after visiting the Post Museum. First of all, I learned a lot of interesting knowledge about the post and animals, which spans various periods of different centuries. In addition, I got these beautiful postcards and put stamps on them, ready to send to my friends in Russia," said Sofia from Russia after visiting the Post Museum. Pimsanit from Thailand, who was visiting Shanghai for the first time, said: "Shanghai is a beautiful city, and I really like it here. There are many electric vehicles on the streets, which makes it very quiet and nice." Samantha Vigneux Foley from Canada missed her hometown and exclaimed, "My home is in Quebec, which is itself a historic city with many historical sites worth visiting. But in terms of modernity, although we have some skyscrapers, there aren't too many of them. I think Shanghai is somewhat similar but not exactly the same - after all, Shanghai has so many skyscrapers as well as a long history, so you could say there are similarities between the two." 

This event is an important part of SISU's efforts to carry out secondary classroom education and teaching for international students and also one of the key initiatives to promote cross-cultural exchanges. It aims to help international students better understand Chinese culture, especially the history and development of modern China, through immersive urban experiences. In the future, SISU will continue to hold such activities to provide international students with more opportunities to understand and integrate into China, promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and foreign countries.

 

This springtime city walk is not only an orientation event but also a cross-cultural dialogue. Through such activities, international students can not only better integrate into life in Shanghai but also enhance their understanding and identification with Chinese culture in the process of perceiving Shanghai, thereby building a solid bridge for cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.

Source from Study at SISU