Language is the best key to understanding a country and is the bridge for promoting dialogue between different cultures
The College of International Education of Shanghai University, in collaboration with Center for Language Education and Cooperation and Chinese Plus, launched a series of online and offline activities with the theme of "Chinese Language: Facilitating Dialogues across Civilizations" for the 2023 International Chinese Language Day.
On April 15, 20 international students from Shanghai University, accompanied by Chinese language teachers and counselors, dressed in traditional Han clothing and enjoyed the flourishing springtime while reading classical Chinese literature and exploring ancient poetry, and experienced the charm of Chinese language through a fun and engaging cultural tour.
Appreciating the beauty of the campus in spring through poetry
Spring is the loveliest season of the year, when everything comes back to life and bursts with vitality. Ancient Chinese poets wrote many nice poems describing spring, and the international students wandered around the beautiful campus, immersing themselves in the poetry and picturesque atmosphere. The scenes depicted in famous poems such as "A Blessing Rain on a Spring Night", "Spring Morn", "Dreaming of South" and "A Night View on the Spring River" seemed to come alive during their visit.
Walking along the lakeside, with willow trees swaying and green grass flourishing, the students recited the poem "Ode to the Willow" by He Zhizhang, a poet from the Tang Dynasty. The poem reads, "The tree’s dressed with emerald, high to low;Ten thousand twigs sway down their silky sheen./Who's tailored the leaves so thin, I don't know;The second moon wind cuts like scissors keen." The graceful and charming willow branches led the students to comprehend the poet's love for nature. The slender and soft willow twigs stirred their emotions and showcased the timeless charm of poems.
Making friends through poetry and appreciating classical Chinese literature
The event also invited Chinese students majoring in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language to give detailed explanations of ancient poems in both Chinese and English to help international students better understand the poems' meanings, forms, and contexts. Okan Karaaslan, a Turkish master's student from the School of Management, shared his thoughts on "Spring Morn" by saying, "Spring symbolizes the most beautiful time in a person's life and the most important people in one's life. There will be many adversities in life, and if we do not cherish the good things, they will wither like flowers after a night of rain."
Chinese and foreign students discussed their understanding of the poems and their personal insights, expressed their views and engaged in lively discussions. Coming from different cultural backgrounds and diverse regions, their shared love for ancient poetry brought them closer together, and established a sense of unity between diverse cultures.
Encouraging each other to learn and progress through poetry
The event greatly stimulated the enthusiasm of international students to learn Chinese. The students experienced the unique charm of Chinese language and the profoundness of ancient Chinese poetry on-site, made like-minded friends, and set ambitious goals and learning goals. In the future, they plan to work harder to learn Chinese, practice more, and deepen their understanding and promotion of traditional Chinese culture to become a bridge for enhancing exchanges and dialogue between cultures.
Quotes from Students
Ye Kim (South Korea), undergraduate from the College of Liberal Arts:
Han clothing is a part of Chinese traditional culture and has a long history and profound cultural connotations. Wearing it gives me a sense of ritual and solemnity, and allows me to immerse myself in the atmosphere of ancient poetry and experience the atmosphere of traditional Chinese culture. As a Chinese learner, wearing Han clothing and reading ancient poetry is also a form of cultural inheritance and expression.
Maryna Tsyryn (Ukraine), undergraduate from Law School:
As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Deeply experiencing Chinese culture is an essential element in our education. This historical and cultural tour has given me an unforgettable emotional experience.
Cristian Ulises Medina Garcia (El Salvador), undergraduate from the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts:
This is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable experiences I've had in China, and an opportunity to understand and integrate into Chinese culture. I will always remember it.
Kamonsanok Thammavong (Laos), master's student from the School of Economics:
I enjoy watching Chinese costume dramas. Poetry is the crystallization of the wisdom of the ancients in China. Each sentence has a rich meaning, reflecting the profound literary accomplishments of the ancients.
Zhibek Kurban (Kyrgyzstan), undergraduate from the School of Management:
Reciting poetry is a wonderful experience. This language has a unique rhythm, and when I start reciting a poem, I feel a whole new range of emotions and ways of thinking. I am delighted to try on ancient Chinese clothing. Han clothing is very elegant, full of artistic sense and historical charm. The style and patterns reflect the customs and aesthetic concepts of the people at that time.
Angelina Mikhailina (Russia), master's student from the School of Management:
Spring is a beautiful, magical, and hopeful season that is full of vitality. We follow in the footsteps of the ancients, savor the spring in ancient poetry, and feel the charm of Chinese poetry and the profoundness of Chinese language. I am very grateful to the teachers and Chinese students for their hard work and guidance. In the future, I will participate in more similar activities to better understand Chinese culture and improve my Chinese language skills.
Kasiti Saelek and Weeraphon Lin (Thailand), undergraduates from the College of International Education:
This event is impressive. Wearing Han clothing is an unprecedented and rare opportunity for us. It's a unique experience to try on the clothing we've only seen in TV dramas. Listening to the genuine emotions expressed by students reciting ancient poetry, we know they have made thorough preparations and believe everyone enjoyed themselves.
