Studying in Beijing, Enjoying Wonderful Experiences at BPC—Highlights from the First Half of 2024 Activities for BPC International Students

Campus cultural activities for international students play a vital role in both the cultivation of these students and the enhancement of campus culture at higher vocational colleges. To foster cultural exchanges between China and other countries and to advance campus culture, the School of International Education and the Youth League Committee have collaboratively organized a series of activities for international students. These initiatives have enriched the students' leisure time, fostered personal growth, and helped cultivate international friends who "know, love, and befriend China", particularly in countries along the Belt and Road. The Students Association for International Exchanges guided by the International Exchanges and Cooperation Office, the Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Association guided by the Youth League Committee, the English Debating Club guided by the School of Basic Education, and the Students' Science and Technology Association guided by the Science and Technology Department have collaborated in the cultural exchange with international students and the promotion of Chinese culture.

☆ The Second New Year's Day Party for International Students Successfully Held

At the beginning of 2024, the School of International Education successfully hosted the Second New Year's Day Party for International Students. Attendees included leaders and teachers such as Hu Junwei, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Committee of BPC, Xie Ligao, Deputy Director of the International Exchanges and Cooperation Office, Lyu Ji, Deputy Director of the Inspection Office, Zhang Jun, Deputy Director of the Security Office, Ma Jun, Dean of the BPC Branch of Sino-Zam Vocational College of Science and Technology and Head of the Confucius Classroom, Wang Jian, Head of the Entrepreneurship Incubation Center for College Students, and Zhang Junyu, a counselor from the International Exchanges and Cooperation Office. Also present were international student teachers Li Xiaochun, Gao Yuan, Zhao Huan, Li Ying, and Chen Jianping, a representative of retired teachers. Furthermore, international students and students from the Student Association for International Exchanges, the Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Association, the English Debating Club, and the Students' Science and Technology Association were also in attendance.

Deputy Director Xie Ligao gave a speech at the party, expressing gratitude to the teachers for their dedication in nurturing international students. He also set forth two expectations for the students. First, he expected international students to view BPC as their home, excel in their studies, enjoy their lives, immerse themselves in Chinese culture, and share it back home to foster cultural exchanges and dissemination. Second, he urged students involved in student societies to use the party as a chance to experience foreign cultures and broaden their international perspectives. He encouraged them to participate more frequently in school international activities, enhance their language skills and cross-cultural communication abilities, and strive to become interdisciplinary professionals who are proficient in vocational skills, well-versed in international norms, and have a deep affection for Chinese culture.

Chinese and international students collaborated to host both traditional and innovative programs. The traditional programs included Chinese and foreign songs, as well as "Three and a Half Phrases", while the innovative lineup featured 2-on-2 games and talk shows. The evening event also offered on-site cultural activities, such as teaching participants how to make Tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), and featured interactive lucky draw sessions. The content was rich and engaging. At last, international students presented their teachers with desk calendars, featuring messages they had written using Chinese calligraphy brushes, as a token of their gratitude.

Photo: Sign-in of teacher representatives

Photo: Group photo of Chinese and international students

Chinese and international students preside over the evening party together

Photo: The "Three and a Half Phrases" performance by international students featured humorous lines and less-than-fluent Chinese, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere

Photo: Wang Shuai (2321), a Digital Design major, Han Changjiang (2332), an Electronic Information major, perform the talk show "Hello, Friends"

(Selected and sent by the Students' Science and Technology Association)

Photo: Liu Yuhao (2232), an Engineering Cost major, and Li Ying (2231), a Construction Decoration major, perform the guitar solo "The Sea"

(Selected and sent by the Students Association for International Exchanges)

Photo: Zimbabwean student Rachel and Guo Haoran (2231), an Industrial Robot major, sing the foreign song "A Hundred Miles"

(Selected and sent by the Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Association)

Photo: Chorus "Friends" by Chinese and international students

Photo: Participants learn how to make Tangyuan

Photo: Teachers make Tangyuan

Photo: Students pair up to play the game

Photo: A glimpse of the party

Photo: International students give desk calendars to teachers

☆ A Series of Calligraphy Learning Activities Held

To assist international students in learning more about traditional Chinese art, several esteemed instructors were invited to the college. These included Sun Guosen, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern and Western Artists Association[004941] and Chairman of the Arts and Crafts Committee, Zhang Chunlai, a researcher of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation and a diplomat from the Chinese Embassy in Russia, and Shi Zhuohong, Executive Director of the Global Chinese Instrumental Music Association and a renowned performing artist. They guided the students in writing Spring Festival couplets and creating handmade desk calendars.

Photo: Masters instruct international students in Chinese calligraphy and creating hand-painted desk calendars

Photo: Spring festival couplets made by international students

Photo: Desk calendars made by international students

☆ Chinese Food-Themed Cultural Activities Titled "Fun Corner (Dumpling)" Organized

During traditional Chinese festivals like the Laba Festival and Lichun, which marks the beginning of spring, the college assisted international students in understanding traditional Chinese farming culture. Three culinary activities were organized to teach these students how to make dumplings, Laba garlic, and Tajik cuisine.

Photo: After participating in several activities, the international students have learned how to make dumplings

Photo: An international student from Tajikistan makes Tajik cuisine for Chinese students

Photo: Participants learn how to make Laba garlic on the Laba Festival

☆ Outdoor Visit Activities Organized

International students were organized to visit cultural sites such as Temple Street, Tuoling Ancient Road, and the Folk Culture Center in the western part of Beijing to help them understand Chinese history and Beijing culture.

Photo: Group photos of students on Temple Street

☆ Courses on Sino-Foreign Language Mutual Assistance Organized

The School of International Education and the School of Basic Education have collaboratively established a platform to maximize the role of student societies. In April of this year, the Changqingteng Program for Spoken English and the Chinese Pilotage Program for Foreign Students were relaunched, creating a long-term mechanism to foster mutual language assistance, shared learning, and reciprocal benefits between Chinese and international students.

Photo: Display boards of mutual language assistance courses and introduction to student societies