On December 5, the “Qihuang Bridges Civilizations: A Cross-Cultural Health Outreach” event was held at the Global Village of Jilin International Studies University. Sixteen traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners, all proficient in foreign languages, provided pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, and tuina to over 300 international faculty and students, while introducing TCM culture.
The event was hosted by Jilin International Studies University and Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, organized by the“TCM Faculty Foreign Language Competence Enhancement Training Program,”and co-organized by the School of Continuing Education, the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, the School of International Exchanges, and the Trade Union of JISU.
TCM practitionerconsulting witha child of an international faculty member
These TCM practitioners are trainees of the“TCM Faculty Foreign Language Competence Enhancement Training Program”a collaborative initiative between JISU and Changchun University of Chinese Medicine. All are young core faculty members from the affiliated hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, holding doctoral degrees and possessing extensive clinical experience.
TCM practitioner taking a pulse for an international faculty member
Over the three‑month training period, Jilin International Studies University (JISU), in response to the pressing need for interdisciplinary TCM‑foreign language faculty driven by the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine, tailored the program to participants’ profiles. It focused on three core competencies—bilingual teaching, overseas clinical practice, and cultural dissemination—and established a comprehensive support system through a combined “Chinese + foreign” teaching model, a “foundational + specialized” curriculum, and authoritative teaching materials. The training was delivered in two phases: the first phase emphasized foundational English skills, with a focus on grammar, listening, and speaking; the second phase centered on specialized TCM English and integrated application, covering medical terminology, literature reading, and scenario‑based practice. Daily course supervision and periodic assessments ensured that participants systematically improved their overall English proficiency and bilingual teaching capabilities.
TCM practitioner introducing health‑benefiting teas to an international faculty member
The outreach event featured three main areas – the TCM internal medicine section, the health-benefiting tea tasting area, and the acupuncture and tuina zone. In the internal medicine section, the TCM practitioners applied the four traditional diagnostic methods – inspection, auscultation, palpation, and inquiry – to carefully assess each visitor’s constitution and provide personalized wellness plans. This allowed attendees, especially international faculty and students, to experience the profound depth and wisdom of TCM culture.
At the tea tasting area, practitioners selected a variety of medicinal-edible ingredients to brew teas with different health benefits, inviting international guests to sample them while learning how TCM dietary culture can be naturally integrated into daily life.
TCM practitioner administering acupuncture to an international faculty member
In the acupuncture and tuina section, practitioners used their professional skills to relieve pain for international participants, giving them not only a taste of TCM wisdom but also practical self‑care techniques for everyday health.
The outreach event sparked great interest in TCM culture among international faculty and students. Many expressed their admiration for the long history and remarkable efficacy of TCM through firsthand experience, and said they would share this memorable encounter with family and friends, helping more people discover the unique charm of traditional Chinese medicine.
Source: School of Continuing Education, Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, School of International Exchanges, and Trade Union of JISU
