On June 23rd, twelve American teachers and students from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Maryland, together with seventeen Egyptian teachers and students from the Egyptian Chinese University (ECU), attended the joint opening ceremony of JISU Chinese Camp in China Village of the Global Village. In the following days, they will learn the Chinese language and culture through exchanges and experience in Jilin International Studies University (JISU).
At this meaningful moment when Chinese, American and Egyptian young students communicated with each other, Song Dandan, the Director of the Office of International Exchanges and Cooperation, also the Dean of School of International Exchange (SIE), Wang Yuan, the leading teacher of American students, and Ahmad Hassan, the leading teacher of Egyptian students, attended and addressed the opening ceremony, with volunteers representatives from School of International Communication, School of Oriental Languages and School of English joining together.
American and Egyptian teachers and students attended opening ceremony in China Village
In the speech, Song Dandan extended a gracious welcome to teachers and students from America and Egypt, with an emphasis on language functioning as a bridge for communication and culture serving as a bond for understanding, expressing hopes that young students from the three countries will regard JISU Chinese Camp as a platform for mutual learning and will cultivate friendships through exchanges.
Ms. Ahmad said that JISU Chinese Camp provides a golden opportunity for civilizational exchanges and mutual learning for youths from Egypt and China, both as countries with ancient civilizations.
Ms. Wang said that JISU Chinese Camp acts as an important avenue to immersive experience of profound Chinese culture and dynamic Chinese language for students.
Chinese dance China in Lantern Glow
Medley of horsehead fiddle and prairie songs
Chinese martial art show Full-Flowering Martial Art
The opening ceremony was iridescent with art performances rich in elements of traditional Chinese culture. In Chinese Dance China in Lantern Glow, vivacious gaits of dancers depicted thriving and prosperous China in the new era; in Medley of Horsehead Fiddle and Prairie Songs, melodious and resonant tune of performers embodied the gallant and affectionate Prairie culture; in Chinese Martial Art Show Full-Flowering Martial Art, vigorous moves showed the marvelous Chinese Martial Arts. Those performances fully conveyed the charm of diverse Chinese culture to teachers and students from America and Egypt.
JISU has accumulated years of experience in hosting the short-term Travel-to-China Program. Based on successful examples, JISU Chinese Camp is believed to apply a teaching mode including language learning, cultural experience, and field trips, with delicately designed cultural activities. JISU Chinese Camp for American and Egyptian teachers and students will last 12 days and 14 days respectively. In JISU Chinese Camp, teachers and students will not only learn Chinese culture behind language through Traditional Chinese Culture Workshop Courses, such as intangible Cultural Heritage Clay Sculpture of characters in Journey to the West, Learn to Sing Chinese Songs, Movable-Type Printing, Chinese Calligraphy, and Staw Weaving Art, but also understand the charm of Chinese modern Culture and Tourism by touring several scenic spots of Jilin, such as FAW Hongqi Cars Pavilion, Journey to the West Theme Park in Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park, Changchun Lotus Island Film and Leisure Culture Park. American teachers and students will travel to Beijing, visiting World Cultural Heritages such as the Mutianyu Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. Egyptian teachers and students will visit the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Changchun University of Chinese Medicine (CCUCM), experiencing traditional Chinese medicine treatments, such as acupuncture and massage.
A group photo of Chinese, American and Egyptian teachers and students at opening ceremony
American and Egyptian teachers and students hope that the JISU Chinese Camp will provide them with precious opportunities to improve their language skills and experience Chinese culture in person. They also hope to have an enjoyable time in JISU Chinese camp with teachers and students there.
