To commemorate both the 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership between China and Italy and the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death, the Global Education Center of East China Normal University, in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at the University of Torino, hosted the "Chinese Bridge" summer camp. This immersive 14-day camp concluded successfully on July 23, drawing in 44 Italian students.

A group photo of the summer camp’s participants. [Photo/Global Education Center of ECNU]

The summer camp, centered around the theme "Chinese and Business", aimed to illuminate the unique charm of Chinese culture through a multifaceted approach that included Chinese language learning, business courses, and rich cultural experiences.

To deepen the students' understanding of business culture, ECNU organized a visit to the Chinese company Ecovacs Group, where students gained comprehensive insights into the current landscape and future prospects of China's artificial intelligence industry. Additionally, an alumnus of ECNU Matteo Botta, who has established his own business in Shanghai, was invited to share his experiences of studying, living, and working in China, which ignited keen interest and deep reflections among the Italian students.

Furthermore, the camp featured a series of cultural experience courses, such as Chinese martial arts and tea art, allowing students to explore Chinese culture in depth. Under the theme of "Encountering Italian Elements in Shanghai", the camp planned a series of cultural activities. Students embarked on a city walk along Wukang Road, exploring Italian-style architecture and experiencing the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. They also visited iconic landmarks like the Shanghai Tower and Yuyuan Garden, witnessing firsthand the rapid development and unique allure of this international metropolis.

Students experience tea art. [Photo/Global Education Center of ECNU]

Students at the Shanghai Tower. [Photo/Global Education Center of ECNU]

Source: Global Education Center of ECNU