Seven international students from the School of International Education at the Communication University of Zhejiang (CUZ) recently visited Haixing Village in Tongxiang, embarking on a walking-based experiential activity that offered a distinctive and memorable chapter in their study-abroad journey.
On the day of the event, dressed in coordinated team outfits, the students set off from the entrance of the village and followed a designated walking route. Along the way, they passed rows of neatly arranged village houses that reflect the vibrancy of the local “landlord economy,” and paused beside lush, well-maintained “shared vegetable gardens,” where they bent down to identify different varieties of crops. These vivid scenes gave them a direct impression of the village’s modern living conditions and ecological development.
Through their cameras, the students captured the vitality of Jiangnan in winter, preserving moments that would become lasting “China impressions” in their memories. Upon reaching the final stop, they gathered in a circle and, drawing on their observations along the journey, collaboratively pieced together a map of Haixing Village. In their hands, a complete and uniquely textured picture of rural life gradually took shape.
Their teamwork and shared experience were ultimately commemorated with a physical medal. ABDIVAKHOBOV FARRUKHBEK from Uzbekistan, representing the group, stepped forward to receive the honor. The medal symbolized sincere recognition of these international youths’ active engagement and immersive participation.
In the afternoon, the students visited the Haixing Village History Museum, where they explored the story of a rural community’s transformation from its historical roots to modern revitalization. Exhibits such as traditional stoves, sewing machines, and weaving looms traced the trajectory from past to present, offering new perspectives through which the students could understand the land and its people.
Throughout the experience, the international students forged friendships through collaboration and gained an immersive understanding of China’s rural development. By engaging directly with local life and social realities, they developed a more intuitive and nuanced perception of Chinese society.
Through such locally grounded experiential activities, CUZ continues to provide international students with meaningful opportunities for engagement. Each authentic encounter deepens intercultural understanding, allowing stories of diversity and integration to unfold and resonate across cultures.
