To kick off the new academic year, East China Normal University held an ice-breaking event for its 2025 cohort of international freshmen on Sept 20 and 21. The activities took place at the Physics Building on ECNU's Putuo Campus and in the teaching buildings of the Minhang Campus.

The first session, titled "Oh! It's you!", began with each student receiving a clue card featuring a self-portrait they had drawn, along with a clue such as "I'm from South America" or "I love playing soccer". Students then searched the crowd to find the person behind the card. Amid laughter and excitement, students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds quickly matched up, exchanged names, and made new friendships.

The next session featured the highly anticipated "Campus Treasure Hunt." Students formed teams and set off with task list in hand, searching for iconic spots and checking in at each location. In the end, the fastest team claimed prizes, demonstrating both teamwork and speed.

The event concluded in an atmosphere of cheers and laughter. Many students shared that the activity provided a platform where they not only made new friends but also familiarized themselves with the campus and gained a sense of belonging. As one student happily remarked, "I never expected to make friends from five different countries all at once today!"

Source: Official WeChat account of Global Education Center of ECNU at "ecnugec"