For UCM student Terry Abigail Reanna, a dumpling-making session proved to be an unexpected highlight. After a Chinese classmate patiently taught her how to fold the dough and after she took a bite of the steaming dumplings, she declared them "the best dumplings I have ever eaten" and happily ate seven or eight in a row, drawing laughter from the group.
Another American student, Hines Monterica Monea, became fascinated with the local Hengshui dialect. She eagerly repeated phrases for "last night" and "warm," impressing her Chinese peers with her earnest pronunciation.
Meanwhile, classmate Parris Elijah Michael tried his hand at traditional Chinese drumming after a Sichuan opera face-changing performance, quickly finding a steady rhythm that earned warm applause from the crowd.
"What young people from China and the United States need to know goes far beyond cultural symbols," said UCM teacher Faria Jacqueline Marie. "Though we come from different countries, the younger generation shares concerns over climate change, sustainability and social justice. As educators, we hope such exchanges can continue."
Hengshui University student Gan Du said her previous understanding of American peers came only from movies and social media.
"Real understanding can only come from face-to-face interaction. Friendship doesn't need grand narratives - it lives in every shared meal, and every moment we tell our stories," she said.
The two universities have maintained a long-term partnership. Ma Yunyan, director of Hengshui University's international cooperation and exchange center, said the activity has deepened exchanges over the years.
"We hope this platform allows Chinese and American youth to build understanding and friendship through genuine contact," she said.
