Jiangsu University & Confucius Institute of Austria’s Graz University Jointly Hold “Chinese Bridge”-Home--Jiangsu University

Jiangsu University & Confucius Institute of Austria’s Graz University Jointly Hold “Chinese Bridge”

September 8, 2013

Jiangsu University & Confucius Institute of Austria’s Graz University Jointly Hold “Chinese Bridge”

2013-09-08

July 8-19, Jiangsu University & the Confucius Institute of Austria’s Graz University jointly hold in Jiangsu University a “Chinese Bridge” summer camp for middle school students from Austria. Headed by a teacher, 20 Autrian middle school students came to visit China’s Beijing, Zhenjiang (Jiangsu University in particular), and Shanghai, speaking the Chinese language and tasting the Chinese culture personally.

In Beijing, the Austrian students visited such landmark scenic spots as the National Museum, the Great Wall, the Bird’s Nest, and the Water Cube. They admired both the long history and the excellent contemporary achievements of China.

In the headquarters of the summer camp at Jiangsu University, the Austrian students were greeted with a series of activities where they could experience the authentic Chinese culture. The students completed their own works of flour sculpture, paper cutting, Chinese calligraphy and drawing for the first time, learned to make dumplings and ate them to taste “the Chinese delicacy”. Other activities arranged by Jiangsu University for them include visiting Zhenjiang Vinegar Culture Museum, Xijin Ferry (a historical relic), Zhenjiang Musuem, Pearl S. Buck Memorial Museum, and Zhenjiang Folk Art Museum. Moreover, they visited local families and held parties with students from Zhenjiang No. 1 Middle School.

Last but not the least, Jiangsu University offered sufficient interesting Chinese classes for them to attend. Under the meticulous instruction of Chinese teachers and the help of language volunteers, and thanks to their enthusiasm towards the Chinese language, the Austrian students greatly improved their Chinese within a short period of three days. They summed up their learning by shouting the same slogan, “We love Chinese.”

On July 16, Jiangsu University held a grand closing ceremony and sending off party for the Austrian students, who together with their teacher demonstrated their learning results by doing a Chinese show to give their heartfelt thanks to leaders of Jiangsu University, of the International Office, and of the Overseas Education College, to the teachers and volunteers present at the party. They sang and danced and laughed throughout the farewell ceremony.

After leaving Jiangsu University, the Austrian students went to Shanghai to visit its old town, Nanking Road, Temple of the City God, and Huangpu River. To the admiration of all tourists, they were ready to talk to anyone in Chinese they had learned in the past few days.

The successful hosting of this summer camp added to the achievements of the cooperation and interaction between Jiangsu University and the University of Graz, witnessed the new improvement of the friendship between China and Austria, and illustrated the power of “bridging the world with the Chinese language.” Activities of the summer camp were widely reported by media in China, including Xinhua News Agency and the People’s Daily Online.

Listed as follows are links of the news reports about this summer camp:

Xinhua News Agency

http://info.xinhua.org/newphmall/security/detail.do?docId=214627911&libId=8&docType=2

Xinhua New Agency Online

http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2013-07/16/c_125017371.htm#p=2

http://www.js.xinhuanet.com/2013-07/16/c_116562441.htm

Hualong News Online

http://news.cqnews.net/html/2013-07/16/content_26950555.htm

People’s Daily Online

http://js.people.com.cn/html/2013/07/17/242076.html

Jiangsu International Publicity Onilne

http://gjzx.jschina.com.cn/20157/201307/t1247420.shtml