Diversity and Inclusion: SISU holds 2021 Chinese Culture Summer Program




The 2021 Chinese Culture Summer Program (CCSP) organized by Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) was held during August 9th to 20th, 2021.

The two-week online program included 14 well-knit lectures on China-related topics as well as carefully designed immersion activities, which aimed to help students to have access to first-hand information of the modern Chinese culture and develop their own perspectives on China.  

This year, 39 students from diverse cultural background participated in the online program. They are recommended by 11 world-renowned universities, including Leiden University, Tilburg University, MGIMO University, Georgetown University in Qatar, SOAS University of London, Heidelberg University, University of Naples L'Orientale, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Allameh Tabataba'i University and SISU. Together they have enjoyed an exciting and rewarding adventure on Chinese culture.

Lectures on Fundamentals of Chinese Culture

To facilitate students’ active participation and learning experience, the organizing team designed fourteen tailored lectures covering four modules, including Chinese thoughts and history, Chinese traditional art, Chinese social life and customs, and Chinese law and policy.

Guided by SISU’s veteran teachers who have made meticulous preparation for this long-expected summer program, students gained a better understanding of China, Chinese culture and how they relate to the world: they learned about the profundity of Confucianism, appreciated the art of Chinese calligraphy, watched Chinese dramas, and savoured the beauty of Chinese poems and prose. The informative and enlightening lectures helped students to obtain a panorama of the Chinese civilization.

Virtual Field Trip on Chinese Culture

During the two weeks, students were encouraged to conduct virtual field research with their global peers, which also gave them a wonderful opportunity to bring Chinese culture home. The carefully designed immersion activities enabled students to work together and yield fruitful research results.

Topics of the group projects covered a wide range of interests, including “A cultural spill-over effect of Confucianism”, “Bubble tea in China and drinking habits in other cultures”, “The Chinese government's measures to reduce the education gap between urban and rural areas”, “Spring Festival around China and its perception around the world”, “Qixi Festival and Valentine’s Day”, etc.

Though separated by gulfs and mountains, students managed to overcome the geographic barriers and different time zones. During the research process, members of each research group developed a sincere friendship and promoted understanding of each other’s culture and customs.

International Youth Forum on Cultural Diversity and Inclusion

The International Youth Forum themed Cultures and Civilizations: Diversity and Inclusion was designed to help students to embrace diverse cultures. In the session of “Culture Presentation”, students from Germany, Greece, Indonesia, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Spain, the Netherlands, and China presented as “cultural ambassadors” on unique aspects or interesting facts about their own culture.

In the “Storytelling” session, students shared enlightening cross-cultural stories of their own and what they have discovered: intercultural experiences may cause identity crisis and unpleasant feelings such as frustrations and anxiety, but they can also lead to self-development and personal growth.

In the “Panel Discussion”, students freely discussed on the opportunities and challenges of diverse cultures, and put forward practical suggestions for bolstering cultural diversity and inclusion.

In the closing ceremony, students of six groups presented their field research findings, and were awarded the Certificate of Achievement for their excellent performance.

The ceremony drew to a close with the group singing Auld Lang Syne: “We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, for days of auld lang syne”, which concluded this exciting journey of mutual learning and intercultural friendship. 

An Amazing Journey with Cross-cultural Experience

Students have found this program innovative and inspiring, and expressed their hope to experience Chinese culture physically in the future. Georgios Karanikas from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki said: “What impressed me most was the lecture on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Chinese dynasties.” Pearl Williams from Leiden University said: “Thank you for this amazing experience! Hope to see you in Shanghai, or wherever really!”

Ryota Imamura from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies said: “It’s a pity that we can’t go to China and to chat with each other in person because of the pandemic, but we still had a chance for discussion online, and I enjoyed it a lot.” Eveline Mirjam Vos from Leiden University said: “Even though we are all in different parts of the world, we are still together.”

Andrew Jose from Georgetown University in Qatar made a decision to pursue his graduate study at SISU, and he posted his comments: “Still can’t believe the SISU Summer Program came to an end. Enjoyed every bit of it and the wonderful people I got to meet. An experience of a lifetime!” 

The Chinese Culture Summer Program (CCSP) was launched by SISU in 2012. Every year, outstanding students recommended by SISU’s global partners would fly to Shanghai and study together with SISU students toward a better understanding of Chinese culture.

In 2021, with the continued impact of the COVID-19, the program was held online. Connecting students of different cultural backgrounds, CCSP represents SISU’s Multilingual+ education initiative.

The program has witnessed along students’ journey, their eagerness to engage with the academic content of the lectures, their project development, and their friendship building. Despite the challenges of the time zones and geographic distance, students have been able to create group synergy and constructive spirit amongst their global peers.