On November 21,
ECNUers from over 30 countries gathered at
Tongji Design Park in Baoshan District
for the Mini Expo
of the 14th International Cultural Festivalof ECNU.
This year’s festival was held among ECNU and seven American universities, including Pennsylvania State University, Syracuse University, Tulane University, Rutgers University, Babson College, Clark University and University of Connecticut.
Huang Meixu, Director of Global Education Center of ECNU, said at the opening ceremony that the annual International Cultural Festival is a tradition for ECNUers of different cultural backgrounds to display their culture and customs. She also extended her greetings to international students who couldn’t attend the event due to the pandemic and said she hoped to see them soon.
Zhang Beiqi, a Chinese American student of class 2018 majoring in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, shared her experience both as an international student in China and a member of the International Student Union at ECNU. Despite the challenges she encountered upon her arrival in China, she continued to participate in different activities of cultural exchange, which enriched her life and helped her personal growth. “Studying in China is the best choice I have ever made in the past decade,”Zhangsaid.
Students in traditional clothing staged wonderful performances. They sang and danced in their national costumes, engaging both the mind and eyes of the audience.
During the event, ECNUers also set up booths designed by themselves. They showcased the food, exquisite crafts and exotic cuisine found in their country’s culture, engaging students in an interactive, educational experience.
The 'Mini Expo Passport' was among the most popular souvenirs. Participants could have stamps typical of each country affixed to the passport at the booths, which added fun to their mini global tour.
2020 has witnessed serious challenges to the internationalization of education with the rampant spread of the COVID-19 pandemic all over the globe. ECNU has adopted a series of measures in response to the situation. For example, online Chinese classes were launched in time to provide academic support for students. The International Cultural Festival offers ECNUers and the public a chance to experience transnational cultures without going abroad.
Source: Global Education Center
Author: Yuan Yiwei
GIF: Zhen yangyang
Copy editor: Philip Nash
Editor: Siyuan Zhang
