In April, the School of Chinese Studies and Exchange at Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) organized a cultural practical teaching activity for international studentsof the Class of 2024. Over 120 international students from more than 20 countries, including South Korea, Japan, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cameroon, and Serbia, stepped out of the classroom to enhance their Chinese language proficiency through immersive cultural experiences. After the activity, the students shared their gains and insights.

 

 

Vol.1 Spring Practical Trip: A Cultural Tour of Guangfulin and the SISU Campus

Nguyen Thanh Xuân (Vietnam)

Undergraduate Student of Chinese Language and International Education, Class of 2024

At 7:50 a.m., we boarded the school bus, filled with excitement and anticipation, heading towards our first destination—the Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park. When we arrived, the gentle sunlight had already bathed this ancient land. Inside the park, the quaint, old-fashioned buildings blended seamlessly with the natural scenery. Every brick and tile seemed to tell stories of the long - gone past, immersing us in thoughts about bygone days.

In the afternoon, we stepped onto the Songjiang Campus of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). It was my first time here, and I was filled with excitement and curiosity. The campus in April was cool and pleasant, with picturesque scenery. Led by Chinese students, we began our tour. The first thing that caught our eyes was the distinctive library building. It looked like a grand castle, majestic and elegant. Its unique design attracted many visitors and students to stop and take photos, capturing its charm from every angle.

Next, we entered the World Languages Museum. The museum provided a detailed introduction to the university's development history and showcased a rich variety of linguistic cultures. From ancient scripts to modern language systems, each exhibit was like a key, opening the door to our understanding of the diverse world of languages. We were deeply moved by the charm of languages and the profound cultural heritage of the school.

The most unforgettable part for me was the Lover's Hill, brimming with youthful energy. The green lawn under the sunlight exudes a particularly lively and youthful energy. In the afternoon, a band performed on the hillside, and both the music and the scenery were intoxicating. Under the trees, occasionally students were resting. At night, couples would stroll here, lie on the lawn to watch the stars, and the whole campus was filled with a romantic atmosphere.

This practical activity not only allowed me to enjoy the beautiful scenery but also gave me a deeper understanding of the university's culture and spirit. It was like a wonderful encounter, filling me with expectations for future campus life and deepening the friendship with my friends through shared experiences. I believe that these beautiful memories will be forever cherished in my heart, becoming a bright highlight of my college life.

 

 

 

Vol.2 "Mobile Classroom" Amidst Red Walls and Black Tiles

(Photo by Ruan Yingyang)

Er Yu (Ukraine)

Undergraduate Student of Chinese Language and International Education, Class of 2024

When visiting Guangfulin, what attracted me the most were those buildings full of ancient style. The curved roofs and windows with lattice patterns were just like what I'd read about in history books. My classmates and I spent two hours strolling around, taking countless photos. We struck poses in front of the red walls, imitating actions from TV dramas. We observed the little birds resting on the rooftops and also noticed how beautiful the reflections in the water were - the ancient eaves and the modern sky mirroring each other, like a living painting.

This activity truly allowed me to experience the joy of "learning while seeing." Before, I had only read about "ancient Chinese architecture" in textbooks. Now, I saw the flagstone paths, carved doors and windows with my own eyes, and even got to touch archaeological exhibits. After returning to school, I excitedly shared the photos with my Ukrainian friends. I described

"tiles" and "eaves" with the new words I had learned. They all found it fascinating.

I'm grateful to the college for arranging this cultural trip. It has made me love Shanghai even more through hands-on experiences and has also strengthened my determination to learn Chinese well. I hope to join more activities like this in the future and share the stories of China with more people!

Vol.3: A Cultural Journey Across Time and Space

Mingyu (Tajikistan)

Undergraduate Student of Chinese Language and International Education, Class of 2024

A Visit to Guangfulin Cultural Relics Site - Experiencing the Depth of History

 

(Photo by Ruan Yingyang)

 

The Guangfulin Cultural Relics Site is known as the "Root of Shanghai," showcasing cultural remains from the Neolithic Age to the Ming and Qing dynasties. What impressed me most was the underwater museum. It seemed to float on the lake's surface, boasting a unique architectural style. Inside the museum, we saw scenes of ancient people's daily lives, pottery, and farming tools, allowing me to feel the long history of Chinese civilization. In addition, the Tang Dynasty-style architecture and the archaeological display area in the site park have deepened my understanding of the history of Songjiang. Standing in front of the site, I could almost imagine the life of people here thousands of years ago. This immersive experience is more vivid than the words in textbooks.

Campus Tour and Sino-foreign Exchange - Experiencing Cultural Diversity

In the afternoon, we arrived at the Songjiang campus, where we were led on a tour by senior Chinese students. The Language Museum was particularly fascinating. It displayed linguistic materials from all over the world, and even included records of some endangered languages. This made me deeply realize that language is not just a tool for communication but also a carrier of culture.     Afterward, we engaged in exchanges with several international students. Although my English is not yet fluent, through simple conversations and gestures, we talked about the cultures and study experiences of our respective countries. We even taught each other a few phrases in our native languages. This cross-cultural interaction made me aware that learning languages is not just for passing exams, but more importantly, to build bridges between people.

Gains and Insights

This practical activity has been incredibly rewarding. The trip to Guangfulin has made me cherish the land beneath our feet even more, and has shown me that history is not just the past, but also influences the present. The campus exchanges have allowed me to feel the charm of cultural diversity. They have also motivated me to learn languages well so that in the future, I can communicate with international friends more confidently.

Vol. 4 Touching the World in the Galaxy of Architecture and Language

He Hua (from Vietnam)

Undergraduate Student majoring in Chinese Language (Economics and Trade), Class of 2024

Stepping into the Songjiang campus of Shanghai International Studies University, I was deeply attracted by this charming and vibrant campus.The European-style architecture on campus is elegant and solemn, with red walls, pointed roofs, and carved colonnades, resembling an exquisite painting. Strolling around the campus is extremely pleasant, with green trees, blooming flowers, and fresh air.

Visiting the Language Museum truly broadened my horizons. From ancient scripts to modern writing systems of various countries around the world, from precious linguistic manuscripts and classics to advanced displays of language technology, each exhibit tells the long history of human language development. Here, I saw how different civilizations have been passed down and continued through language, and I felt the charm of language. Through interactive experience devices, I also tried to learn some simple expressions in minority languages and foreign languages. The novel experience excited me a lot.

Moreover, the academic atmosphere on campus also deeply impressed me. I saw many students reading foreign-language books attentively, some looking up information on their computers, and others taking notes diligently. Students studying by themselves in the library and engaging in lively exchanges at the Foreign Language Corner all demonstrated Shanghai International Studies University students' thirst for knowledge.

This visit not only allowed me to appreciate the unique beauty of the Shanghai International Studies University campus but also opened a new window for me to understand the world through the Language Museum. I profoundly felt that language is not only a tool for communication but also a treasure that carries culture. It has inspired me to pursue language learning and explore a broader world.

 

 

Vol. 5 The Canvas of Spring: Decoding the World Through Language

Qiu Shuyan (from China)

Undergraduate Student of Chinese Language and International Education, Class of 2024

It was a great honor to participate in the campus tour activity with international students. As we strolled around the campus and engaged in casual, natural conversations, I was able to experience the cultural clashes and exchanges. This experience not only gave me a brand-new understanding of cross-cultural communication but also brought me new insights into the campus where I live.

The campus tour began with a visit to the architecture. From the teaching buildings with distinct regional characteristics to the grand and magnificent library, every place embodies the cultural heritage of the school. During the process of guiding the international students around, I discovered beautiful scenery on campus that I had never paid attention to before. For instance, the atrium on the fifth floor of the library faces a large glass window. As sunlight filters in, one can clearly see the view of the small garden outside. The international students were searching for books in their native languages in the multilingual reference room, and everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful.

After the campus tour, we held a simple get-together. During the meeting, everyone introduced themselves and shared their unforgettable campus experiences. We also played a fun game of "Pictionary". I was astounded by the international students' unexpectedly high level of Chinese proficiency! The entire process was relaxed and comfortable. Unlike a formal and serious exchange meeting, this felt more like a "chat" or "discussion" among friends from different cultural backgrounds. Through these simple interactions, the initial unfamiliarity between us further dissipated, and culture was subtly conveyed through enjoyable experiences.

Finally, we visited the Language Museum. Everyone moved freely among the language materials, either exploring on their own or following the tour guide's explanations. Curiosity, amazement, and emotion intertwined, transforming this museum—originally designed to provide learning resources for Chinese students—into a place with a soul, especially when filled with international students speaking different native languages. The languages, which were previously documented on exhibition panels and digital media, came to life with a vibrant, human essence in that moment.

This experience was a journey of mutual growth. While sharing campus stories, I deepened my emotional attachment to my alma mater. When answering questions and responding to expressions of awe, I honed my cross-cultural communication skills. In conversations with international students, I realized that our love for life and culture is fundamentally simple and pure. The campus is no longer just a place for learning; it has become a stage for cultural integration. This small space is the starting point for connecting with the world, and every visit is a beautiful prelude to cultural clashes and exchanges.

Source: Study at SISU