From July 5th to 6th, Wang Aiqin, Vice Director of TU’s International Exchange and Cooperation Department, led 29 teacher and student representatives of the International School to visit Jiaxing University and Shanghai University of Applied Sciences.

The first stop was Jiaxing, TU teachers and students got warm reception from Pan Weiwei, Dean of the School of International Education of Jiaxing University. International students of the two universities visited Jiaxing Nanhu Revolutionary Memorial Hall together to understand the history of the Communist Party of China and to realize the significance of the times brought by the spirit of the Red Boat. Afterwards, they went to the Lianglin Campus of Jiaxing University and visited the international student apartment building of the university, focusing on the infrastructure, layout of the dormitories and the management standard of the apartment.

At the exchange meeting, Liu Yunchao, Vice Dean of the School of International Education of Jiaxing University, gave her warm welcome, and hoped that this exchange could promote the international education of both universities to a higher level. Wang Aiqin expressed her thanks and pointed out that there have been frequent exchanges between the School of International Education of Jiaxing University and the International School of TU, and the friendship between the two schools is deepening. There are a lot of similarities and aspects for mutual learning in the process of school running, and she hoped that this exchange can benefit both sides and enable them to make progress together. Afterwards, Li You, Head of the Management Division of Jiaxing University’s School of International Education, made a detailed introduction of Jiaxing University’s international education achievements. Gong Qingfeng, Director of the International Student Management Center of TU’s International School, made a report on the construction of the International Students’ Association. Student representatives of the two sides discussed on the establishment of the student associations, the recruitment of new students, and the subsequent management and other matters, and the atmosphere of the scene was harmonious and cordial. Finally, the teachers and students of the two universities visited Jin Yong Memorial Hall of Jiaxing University and took a group photo in front of the library, which drew a successful conclusion for this exchange.

On the second day, TU teachers and students visited Fengxian Campus of Shanghai University of Applied Sciences, where they were warmly received and thoughtfully arranged by the university’s School of International Education, and accompanied by Mr. Chen Cheng, who is in charge of international student management affairs. After a brief tour of the campus, the students and teachers from both universities went to the Yanzi Academy to learn about traditional Chinese culture. The staff of the academy introduced the story of Yanzi’s life and the origin of the place name Fengxian, which gave them a deeper understanding of the background story of the academy. Inside the academy, there are several functional areas, such as guzheng classroom, calligraphy exhibition hall, and sculpture works. The strong cultural atmosphere immersed everyone in it.

Teachers and students also came to the “Nali” tearoom of the academy to learn about the traditional Chinese culture of seal incense with the teachers of the academy. Seal incense seems to be simple and easy to learn, but in fact, it greatly tests the patience and finger strength of the seal incense practitioner. With a little bit of carelessness, it is easy to break the lime powder inside the vessel, resulting in an uneven effect. Under the careful guidance of the teacher, everyone adjusted their mindset, held their breath and gradually mastered the skills of seal incense, and finally gained their own seal incense works. The Bangladeshi student with the Chinese name Li Qiang said, “Sealing incense is very interesting. Especially when the incense was lit, the smell produced made me feel very calm inside. The hardest part was the pressing of the lime powder. Although it took one hour to finish, it was very fulfilling.”

Finally, the teachers and students came to Fengxian Museum and visited the exhibition hall of the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China as well as the Exhibition Hall of Bronze, Mortise and Tenon and Silk Art. During the visit, students from the two universities exchanged their reflections on studying and living in Shanghai and Zhejiang, and talked about the rapid development of Chinese science and technology and the changes brought by the construction of “One Belt, One Road” for the development of the two countries, and the two sides have formed a deep friendship. Mechanical engineering graduate student An Peng said, “This trip is very meaningful. I met many students from different countries, who introduced their own countries and cultures to each other, and shared their own life experiences and insights. I will continue to study hard to learn professional knowledge, understand Chinese culture, and become an excellent cultural communicator.”

This exchange activity deepened the communication and cooperation between the two universities, broadened the management ideas of TU’s International School, improved the comprehensive quality of students, and provided valuable experience for the next step to improve the construction and management level of the International School at TU’s new campus.

Talking with teachers and students from Jiaxing University

Group Photo in front of the library of Jiaxing University

Visiting Nanhu Revolutionary Memorial Hall

Group Photo in front of Yanzi Academy

Visiting Fengxian Campus of Shanghai University of Applied Sciences and Fengxian Museum