More than 40 international students from countries including Ghana, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan gathered at Shanghai Ocean University on May 16 for a cultural exchange event centered on Chinese tea culture. The program featured a cultural lecture, hands-on tea-brewing sessions, interactive activities, and cross-cultural dialogue.

Students explored the history, etiquette, and health benefits of Chinese tea before learning how to brew the six major types of Chinese tea: green, white, yellow, oolong, black, and dark teas. For many participants, it was their first experience with traditional Chinese tea preparation.

The tea culture-themed fair in the afternoon offered a range of engaging activities, from tea-tasting challenges to DIY tea bag and herbal sachet workshops. Participants created personalized tea blends using flowers, herbs, and tea leaves while also learning about traditional Chinese herbal culture.

The event concluded with a discussion on tea traditions from around the world. Students shared tea customs from their home countries and exchanged stories about hospitality, friendship, and daily life, highlighting tea's role in bringing people together across cultures.

Through immersive experiences that combined learning, tasting, crafting, and conversation, the event gave participants a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture and tea as a symbol of friendship, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding.

Source: Official website of Shanghai Ocean University