To help international students experience the traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival firsthand, the International Education College of Shanghai Business School recently held a cultural event that brought together students from multiple countries. Through food tasting, craft making, and creative design, participants explored festival customs in an engaging and interactive setting.

Creative zongzi designs by international students

 Students taste traditional zongzi at the event

The tasting session featured zongzi and seasonal candies. Staff explained the customs behind these festive foods—how ancient Chinese ate them to cool down in summer and pray for good health. Students tasted the treats and learned about the festival's culinary traditions. For Phimmavong, a student from Laos, it was a first. She loved the chewy texture of the zongzi and the sweetness of the candies, but the stories behind them left a deeper impression. "Chinese festivals are more than just food," she said. "They carry the wisdom and good wishes of the past."

Students enjoy festive sweets and make traditional bracelets

The craft session moved on to five-color bracelets. Silk threads and accessories were prepared for the students. Staff demonstrated the weaving techniques step by step and explained the tradition of wearing these bracelets during the festival. The students were eager to try. They followed the instructions—wrapping, threading, and knotting—until each bracelet took shape. They helped each other along the way, and the room buzzed with warmth and laughter.

Anudari, a student from Mongolia, held up her finished bracelet. "The weaving process was therapeutic," she said. "Every thread carries a good wish. I'll wear this one and make more for my family and friends back home."

Student-designed zongzi art

The third activity was a zongzi painting session. Students picked up plain molds and painting tools, then let their imaginations run free. They decorated the molds with Dragon Boat motifs—zongzi, dragon boats, mugwort, and auspicious clouds. Some went for soft colors, others for cartoon styles. Each piece turned out unique.

Akbermet, a student from Kyrgyzstan, was delighted with her creation. "It's amazing how a simple zongzi can carry so many festival symbols," she said. "Drawing helped me remember them, and I feel more connected to Chinese culture now. This is my very own Duanwu souvenir."

The event brought Chinese culture to life for students outside the classroom, offering them a rich, multi-faceted experience of the country's traditions. It was a lively platform for cross-cultural exchange, and the conversations flowed as naturally as the crafts.

The college plans to keep running similar programs, using culture as a bridge and hands-on activities as a vehicle for connection. The goal: to help international students understand China not through textbooks alone, but through real experiences that build lasting friendships and cross-cultural understanding.

Source: Shanghai Business School