As the winter break draws near and academic pressures ease, many students begin to think about how to spend the break exploring personal interests. Mastering a new skill aligned with your passions can make the break more fulfilling and open up broader career opportunities.

I. What can you learn during the break?

An ideal new skill should combine your personal interests, reflect your unique life experiences and cultural background, and be suitable for self-directed learning during the break. Below are some skill areas worth exploring.

1. AI visual content creation

If you are interested in visual arts and creative expression, you may consider learning AI visual content creation, which can help turn creative ideas into finished works.

(1) AI and hand-drawn fusion: Learn to use AI to generate basic images, then refine and develop them through drawing software, incorporating personal style and cultural elements.

(2) Narrative AI content creation: Explore the use of AI tools to create a cross-cultural visual story, from character design to world-building, resulting in a cohesive series.

(3) Practical art skills: Learn how to use AI-generated content in real-life applications, such as greeting cards, personalized postcards, and posters for cultural events.

• What content can you try creating?

With the uninterrupted time offered by the break, you can create a series of pieces, such as cross-cultural stories seen through an AI lens. Examples include imagining legends from your hometown unfolding in an ancient Chinese town, reinterpreting the imagery of classical Chinese poetry with the help of AI, or envisioning culturally integrated landscapes in future cities.

• What tools are available?

AI image generation tools such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, paired with post-processing software like Photoshop or Procreate, are excellent choices.

2. Vlog production

If you love observing, recording, and sharing stories, and wish to improve your narrative skills, you can systematically learn:

(1) Basic filming techniques: Smartphone filming basics, fundamental composition, and lighting.

(2) Short video narrative structure: Transform cultural observations into engaging stories.

(3) Multilingual content production: Content strategies tailored for both international and Chinese audiences.

(4) Post-production: Basic editing, adding subtitles, and simple special effects.

• What content can you try creating during the break?

Winter break gives you enough time to observe, record, and produce a complete series. You can produce a series of short videos built around a specific theme, such as an international student's experience of the Chinese New Year, visits to five bookstores in your city, or learning to cook three dishes from your hometown.

• What tools are available?

Video editing software like CapCut and Premiere Rush.

3. Traditional Chinese cultural arts

If you wish to enjoy a more immersive experience of Chinese culture during the break, learning a traditional Chinese art is an excellent option. It offers firsthand exposure to Chinese culture while nurturing qualities such as patience, aesthetic sensibility, and an appreciation for craftsmanship.

(1) Calligraphy fundamentals: Learn the essential calligraphy tools, including the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Practice basic strokes and principles before completing a full calligraphy piece.

(2) Basic tea art: Learn about the six major categories of Chinese tea: black tea, green tea, oolong tea, yellow tea, dark tea, and white tea. Learn the brewing methods for two to three representative types, and study tea tasting etiquette and the cultural meanings embedded in tea art.

(3) Traditional handicrafts: Explore traditional Chinese arts such as paper-cutting, Chinese knotting, or pottery. These arts are relatively easy to learn and carry profound cultural meaning.

• What content can you try creating during the break?

Winter break is a perfect time for an immersive cultural experience. Choose one art to focus on and share with friends. For example, complete a series of calligraphy works themed "my Chinese name" in different scripts. You might also host a small international tea gathering to demonstrate tea art and share its cultural meaning. Another option is to create a series of handmade works under the theme "when my culture meets Chinese art," such as depicting a festival from your country through paper-cutting.

• What tools are available?

Beyond common tools like brushes, ink, tea sets, red cord, or clay, a quiet space for focused practice is essential. A notebook or smartphone to document your practice process is also useful for mastering the skill.

 

II. Three-week plan for your winter break skill calendar

Week 1: Define and design

- Clarify your core skill direction.

- Define your goal in one sentence: "This winter break, I will master the skill of ______, create a work about ______, and showcase or explore ______."

Example: This winter break, I will master the skill of AI visual creation, create a series of pieces about "when my hometown festival meets Chinese New Year," and explore the visual possibilities of merging the two cultures.

- Complete the specific planning for your work.

• If choosing AI visual creation, systematically organize key image prompts and build a complete visual narrative.
• If choosing Vlog production, learn to write a detailed shooting outline and storyboard, specifying locations, time, and required footage for each scene.
• If choosing a traditional cultural art, decide which specific art form you want to learn, develop a step-by-step learning plan, and define the target work and presentation format for each stage.
• After selecting your direction, allow flexibility for adjustment. Think about how to incorporate your unique perspective into the final work and presentation, and prepare all necessary tools and materials in advance.

Week 2: Learn and create

- Dedicate focused time to skill acquisition.

- Follow your learning path and produce related content. For example: generate three to five themed images for initial processing; edit a video clip; practice writing a set of Chinese characters.

- Share your drafts with some friends from different cultural backgrounds to gather feedback. Adjust your creative direction and technical details based on the feedback.

Week 3: Polish and present

- Integrate the knowledge, technical practice, and cultural reflections from the previous two weeks into a complete, personal work.

- Before the final presentation, it is recommended that you write a short creator's statement for your work, explaining the inspiration, breakthroughs, and challenges during creation, and unique insights gained from a cross-cultural perspective.

- After completion, share this work — combining visuals and text — on social media. It can become a window connecting you to the world while gathering feedback from the public.

III. Learning resource sharing

1. Find inspiration:

- Draw inspiration from others' creations. You may follow outstanding creators on global and Chinese platforms to observe their creative processes and skill displays.

- Search keywords such as "AI painting process," "documentary and short film production," or "Chinese traditional culture showcase." Watching others complete projects from scratch helps you quickly build understanding and learn key steps.

2. Access learning resources:

- For systematic learning, you can make use of learning resource platforms such as the Smart Education of China. These platforms offer complete course systems from beginner to advanced levels and bring together a wide range of practical tips and experiences shared by other users.

- Join your university's international student community or local cultural interest groups to find learning partners who can give you instant feedback and support.

3. Get genuine feedback:

Share your creations with course groups, social media communities, or trusted friends and teachers every week. Specific feedback from others is key to breaking through self-learning bottlenecks and improving quickly.

Follow what truly excites you and take the first step with confidence. May this winter break be a time of growth, discovery, and fulfillment.

 

Source: Official WeChat account of the China Scholarship Council (ID: "gh_afaa09c3e5f3")