On March 6, 2025, invited by the Langya Town Government, 20 international students from 16 countries at our college participated in a series of activities such as hiking on Langyatai , making handmade flower-shaped steamed buns, and marine ecological protection, aiming at enriching the extracurricular life of the international students, enhancing their understanding of traditional Chinese culture, and raising their awareness of environmental protection.
At the first stop, the international students went to the Langyatai Scenic Area in Qingdao's West Coast New District. As an important historical and cultural site in ancient China, Langyatai is not only famous for its spectacular natural scenery, but also carries a profound historical and cultural heritage. Under the guide's explanation, the students understood the historical background of Langyatai and its important position in the ancient Chinese seafaring culture. During the hiking, the students not only enjoyed the magnificent scenery of the mountains and the sea, but also felt the unique charm of ancient Chinese culture through personal experience.
Simon, a student from Timor-Leste, said, “I was shocked by the scenery of Langya Terrace, especially when I learned that it was once the place where ancient navigators set off. This hike not only gave me exercise, but also gave me a deeper understanding of Chinese history.”
The second stop of the activity was the handmade flower-shape steamed buns making experience. Flower-shape steamed buns are a traditional noodle art in North China and have a long history, especially in Shandong Province. Under the guidance of the pastry chef, the international students made a variety of beautifully shaped flower steamed buns with their hands. From mixing, kneading to shaping, the students not only learned the skills of traditional noodle making, but also experienced the unique charm of Chinese food culture.
Sharon, a student from Bangladesh, said, “This is the first time I have come across flower-shpae steamed buns, and I didn't expect that the dough can be made into so many beautiful shapes. It's not just a kind of food, but also an art. I really enjoyed the process and gained a deeper understanding of Chinese food culture.”
The last stop of the activity was the marine ecological protection action. The students went to Longwan Scenic Area and participated in the volunteer activities of beach cleaning and marine ecological conservation. Under the guidance of environmental experts, students learned about marine ecosystems and realized the importance of protecting the marine environment.
David, a student from Uganda, said, “This activity made me realize that marine ecological protection is not only the responsibility of the government and environmental protection organizations, everyone should contribute to the protection of the marine environment. I will also call on more people to pay attention to marine ecological issues.”
The series of activities not only provided international students with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture, but also enhanced their awareness of environmental protection through practice. After the event, the students expressed that the experience gave them a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and also inspired them to be responsible for environmental protection.
Our college will continue to organize similar cultural exchange and environmental protection practice activities to provide more opportunities for international students to understand and integrate into China, and at the same time contribute to the promotion of global cultural exchange and environmental protection.
