Three Armenian students from the University of Michigan – Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute recently visited their old alma mater and organized a Chinese Culture Day event for the students at the Physics and Mathematics Specialized School in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
The three students, Satenik Margaryan, Gor Tadevosyan and Arsen Boyajyan, are all freshmen who enrolled in the institute last September.
According to Margaryan, the Chinese Culture Day event included a Chinese culture workshop and a Chinese calligraphy lesson that were aimed at helping Armenian students better understand China.
"We were inspired after interacting with the Chinese and learning about their culture and we want other students to learn about it and choose China as their study-abroad country," said Margaryan.
Boyajyan, who has been learning Chinese calligraphy for years, said the calligraphy lesson was included because it represents the beauty and sophistication of Chinese culture and offers a glimpse into Chinese history and philosophy.
Nearly 30 high school students attending the lesson were left impressed by the meanings of the characters featured.
Since joining the institute, the Armenian students have felt "extremely positive" about their overseas study experience.
"We look forward to further immersing ourselves in Chinese culture. This institute is a remarkable institution that successfully combines world-class academics with the dynamism of a technologically advanced city like Shanghai. The university provides an ideal setting for academic excellence and personal growth, while the city offers many opportunities for cultural and social experiences," said Margaryan.
The Physics and Mathematics Specialized School, also known as PhysMath School, is a State-owned high school founded in 1965 and affiliated with the Yerevan State University and a leading educational complex in Yerevan.
The institute has since 2006 attracted more than 700 international students from over 40 countries. Its vision is to be the first and foremost international engineering institute in China and one of the best in the world.
