On June 15, the Xinhua Italian News Service published a report titled “Cina-Italia: incontro tra culture nel ‘Global Village’, una storia di scambi” (literally, “ China and Italy: A Cultural Encounter in the Global Village”), covering the story of cultural exchanges between China and Italy at the Global Village of Jilin International Studies University (JISU).
the translated version：
China and Italy: A Cultural Encounter in the ‘Global Village’
Located at Jilin International Studies University in Changchun, Jilin Province, Northeast China, there is a distinctive building called the “Global Village”. In this multifunctional educational space, different languages and cultures converge, interact, and radiate vibrant vitality.
In the Italian Village, 24-year-old Italian teacher Pio Savelli is leading students in role-playing exercises. Some students practice ordering coffee at a café in Rome, while others try to tell stories about their hometowns in Italian.
Savelli grew up in Foggia, southern Italy, and has had a keen interest in literature and philosophy since childhood. Despite his young age, he has published more than ten literary works, including novels, poetry collections, and philosophical essays.
In his view, curiosity and the desire for continuous learning are among the most important qualities in education.
When he first arrived in Changchun, language was one of the first challenges he faced. Savelli believes that learning a foreign language is not merely about mastering a tool of communication, but also about entering another culture and another way of thinking.
Now, as an Italian teacher at Jilin International Studies University, he brings this educational philosophy into the classroom. Rather than focusing solely on grammar instruction, he places greater emphasis on cultivating students’ ability to express themselves and communicate in real-life.
This teaching practice is supported by the university’s broader platform for cultivating international talents.
The “Global Village” is a distinctive space dedicated to experiential teaching, combining language learning with cultural immersion. Through simulated environments and interactive scenarios, students can personally experience the cultural atmospheres of different countries. Here, language learning goes beyond textbooks and becomes a bridge connecting different cultures.
Savelli is a member of the university’s Sino-Italian joint teaching team, which consists of Chinese teachers and native Italian teachers. Through collaborative teaching, cultural exchange activities, and practical learning, the team strives to enhance students’ language proficiency and broaden their global perspectives.
During his teaching, Savelli has noticed that Chinese students’ interest in Italian culture is growing steadily. From Renaissance art to contemporary design, from historical architecture to culinary traditions, students are increasingly eager not just to learn the language, but to understand the history and values behind another culture.
At the same time, Chinese culture is also influencing and shaping the perspective of this young Italian teacher.
After living in China for several years, Savelli has gradually adapted to the local pace of life and learned to appreciate the little moments of everyday life. What impresses him most is that, in the midst of rapid modernization, Chinese society still places great emphasis on the preservation of its historical and cultural heritage.
“I think China and Italy have many similarities,” he said. “Both countries have long histories and attach great importance to cultural heritage.”
Outside the classroom, Savelli often shares his experiences in China with his friends and family in Italy. In his view, China is not only a rapidly developing modern country, but also an ancient civilization with profound depth and rich heritage.
From the Apennine Peninsula to Northeast China, Savelli’s story reflects the deepening people-to-people exchanges between China and Italy. Through classroom discussions, cultural activities, and the aspirations of young students, the two cultures continue to meet each other through dialogue, understanding, and exchange.
Source: Publicity Department
