Forty-two international students studying in China experienced traditional customs and culture during an activity held in the ancient town of Zhujiajiao in Shanghai on Dragon Boat Festival, which took place on June 22.
During the activity, they learned how to make zongzi, sticky rice dumplings, under the guidance of the locals.
"I knew Chinese people eat zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival, but I have never thought of learning how to make it," said a Nepalese student from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. "It was not that easy to wrap a zongzi, but it was satisfying being able to wrap one properly."
The student said she knew that Dragon Boat Festival was to commemorate Qu Yuan, and that she had also represented the medical school in a dragon boat race two days before the activity. "My understanding of China is getting wider and deeper though these activities, which is very meaningful to me. I hope to learn more about traditional Chinese culture," she said.
Some of the international students donned the traditional Chinese attire called hanfu to attend the activity. Melerine from Malaysia said that the hanfu is the most beautiful "business card" for the world to understand the Han nationality.
"This Dragon Boat Festival folk experience is very meaningful to international students as it allows us to see the beautiful scenery of China, understand the local culture, and be integrated into Chinese life," said a student from Vietnam.
