Source: School of Chinese as a Second Language
Written by: Huang Jing, Wang Xiaobo
Translated by: Kang Jie
Photo by: Wang Xiaobo
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

Recently, the School of Chinese as a Second Language at Sun Yat-sen University organized a cultural tour for its undergraduate and postgraduate international students. More than 70 students from 19 countries took this opportunity to use Chinese in real life outside the classroom.

The students started their cultural tour in Guangzhou Chenliji Pharmaceutical Factory, where they learned about traditional Chinese medicine and its craftsmanship.

On the train bound for Jiangxi, the international students chatted with the chief attendant in Chinese without a hitch. Therefore, the chief attendant praised them: “Your Chinese is really good!”

In Jiangxi Province, the students visited a birthplace of Taoism — Mount Longhu in Yingtan City. The Danxia landform and the legends of Taoism give Mount Longhu a mysterious touch, which impressed them deeply. The students also watched a performance that showed how to lift a coffin and learned about the “suspended coffins” in the Warring States Period. The visit to Mount Longhu enabled the students to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery in China and the wisdom of ancient Chinese people.

In the Jingdezhen Ancient Kiln and Folk Customs Museum, the students were overwhelmed by all kinds of ceramic crafts. Apart from learning the knowledge of ceramics, they tried “throwing” — a basic skill of making pottery by themselves.

During the five-day cultural tour, the students enjoyed the beautiful natural scenery in China and learned more about Chinese history and culture. LIN JANE LI from the U.S. said, “We really cherish this cultural tour. Thanks to Sun Yat-sen University and the Chinese language, we, the international students, can have a chance to get together and make friends.” KARASHIMA HIKARV from Finland expressed, “Because of this activity, I become interested in the program of Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL). I hope I can become a student of MTCSOL in the future.”

As the old saying goes, “He that travels far knows much.” The School of Chinese as a Second Language (SCSL) attaches importance to the cultural experiences of international students. The cultural tour is held in the summer semester, and so far, it has been held four times. The activity has received funding from Hanban and it is popular with international students.