Sanda University concluded the month-long International Chinese Summer Camp, welcoming 34 international students from Russia, Canada, and Spain to Shanghai for an immersive experience in Chinese language and culture. The program offered tailored courses and diverse cultural activities designed to showcase the richness of Chinese traditions.

This year's camp featured two specially designed classes, each with customized teaching plans based on the participants' Chinese proficiency.

The first session, held from July 3 to 23, included 14 students from Far Eastern Federal University in Russia who already had some basic Chinese knowledge. The curriculum introduced Shanghai dialect lessons, while three students from Douglas College in Canada began learning Chinese from scratch.

The second session, held from July 13 to Aug 3, adopted a small-group teaching model for 16 students from Moscow and one student from Spain. This allowed participants of different levels to progress at their own pace.

In addition to language classes, the camp featured various traditional cultural workshops such as clay figurine making, tai chi, and Chinese painting, offering students a firsthand glimpse into Chinese cultural diversity. Participants also visited well-known landmarks, such as the Bund's historic buildings, the Xintiandi cultural block, and Tianzifang's arts district, experiencing the city's unique blend of modernity and tradition.

Trips to Suzhou in Jiangsu province and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province provided further insight into the water town culture of the Jiangnan region, south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Students also explored Yuyuan Garden and sampled local hot pot, deepening their appreciation for Shanghai's urban heritage.

Volunteers said the camp deepened their understanding of international Chinese teaching, adding that students' fluent expressions of gratitude and enthusiasm for Chinese culture strengthened their appreciation of cross-cultural exchange.

This year, Sanda University organized five sessions of the International Chinese Summer Camp, attracting 77 students from countries including the UK, South Africa, Canada, and Russia, along with more than 40 volunteers from the School of Education to support the program.

Source: Official WeChat account of Sanda University at "sdnews2014"