Global students embrace cultural exchange in Guangzhou camp

On Tuesday, a closing ceremony for an international summer camp was held at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). [Photo by Li Yongsi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Nearly 300 students from 23 countries participated in the three-week Playshop for Language and Cultural Exchange camp in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. There, they demonstrated open-mindedness and cultural inclusiveness.

Those traits are also what the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) champions, said Lionel M. Ni, president of the university.

The university hosted the camp.

The camp offered more than 20 courses covering culture, language, sport and science and outing activities on eight cultural themes.

At the closing ceremony on Tuesday, Ni noted the camp's role in cross-cultural study, personal growth and friendship building.

Maria Aurora Correia, a Portuguese student studying international affairs in Switzerland, said: "I really like the Lingnan Chinese painting where we had to paint plum blossoms on a fan. I thought it was very relaxing. And also we got to learn more about the culture and the importance and the meaning of plum blossoms."

"I also like Wing Chun; it was really new. At first, I thought it was kind of weird, but after a while, it gets really fun."

Correia said she was pleasantly surprised by the camp and would consider returning to China. "It's definitely the plan. Hopefully, I get to visit other provinces as well."

Zhang Yuming, a student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), was impressed by the diversity of foreign cultures at the camp.