Source: School of Chinese as a Second Language

Written by: Wang Pei

Photo by: Chen Jiawei

Translated by: Khadijah Zakaeifar (School of Chinese as a Second Language)

Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On April 27-28, 2013, the international students of School of Chinese as a Second Language (SCSL) at Sun Yat-sen University from beginners to the undergraduate level went to two cities of Guangdong, Foshan and Zhaoqing for a cultural visit. More than 70 students from 19 countries attended the event. This event was a part of the learning experience for students' social practice and internships. In addition to providing the students with an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery in China, the organizer also arranged visits to enterprises, rehabilitation centers and other units. It was of a positive significance for the international students to have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China.

In social practice, SCSL orchestrated the international student outings to the Printing Company of Nanfang Daily Newspaper Group, Guangdong Dinghushan Spring Co., Ltd., and Dinghu District Rehabilitation Center for People with Disabilities. In the Printing Company of Nanfang Daily Newspaper Group located in Nanhai, Foshan, the students witnessed the most advanced and largest printing equipment in the Chinese newspaper industry and carefully listened to the staff while they explained in detail about the company. The detailed data and personal experience allowed the students to have an in-depth understanding of modern Chinese newspaper industry.

At the foot of Dinghu Mountain, the students came to one of China's largest professional manufacturers of drinking water - Guangdong Dinghushan Spring Co., Ltd. Accompanied by professional reception staff, the students visited the company's state-of-the-art production lines, actually being able to see how the bottles and barrels of pure water are efficiently produced with high-tech support.

In the Dinghu District Rehabilitation Center for People with Disabilities, the SCSL cultural investigation team received a warm welcome. First, the Center’s leaders introduced the development status of China’s welfare work and the basic situation of the Center. Subsequently, under the guidance of the Center’s staff, the students visited the living and learning places for children with cerebral palsy receiving free treatment in the Center. Many international students used Chinese to communicate with the children and also had a cordial exchange with the staff. Many students expressed that the arrangement to visit the rehabilitation center was a very good idea because it empowered them to understand the contemporary welfare development in China, and furthermore, it helped them to deeply appreciate the value and meaning of life. Before the end of the visit, the teacher of the SCSL team presented a gift to the rehabilitation center to show care and support for the rehabilitation of the disabled.

These cultural investigation activities displayed a vivid three-dimensional Chinese culture and broadened the horizons for the students, deepening their understanding of Chinese culture and society. Meanwhile, this experience has instilled new enthusiasm and energy into the students’ study and life in China.