Golden Autumn in South Bohemia: SUIBE Students Embark on a Journey of Cultural Exchange
In the golden autumn of September, as the fragrance of osmanthus fills the air and the autumn breeze sweeps through the streets of South Bohemia, nine students from the School of International Chinese Education at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE) set out on a solid and inspiring overseas teaching journey, driven by their passion for cultural exchange.
Relying on the high-quality platform provided by the Confucius Classroom at the College of Business and Technology in České Budějovice, the students, under the careful guidance of experienced local Chinese teachers and senior volunteers, divided into two practice groups. Through teamwork and collaboration, they fully immersed themselves in the frontline of local Chinese language teaching.
At sunrise, the SUIBErs boarded a train bound for the historic city of Tábor. At Tábor High School, a captivating Chinese martial arts performance—combining grace and strength—kicked off the day’s cultural exchange. The students’ swift and powerful movements drew rounds of amazed applause. Even more touching were the foreign friends who share a deep affection for Chinese culture—their focused gazes, nods of understanding, and warm smiles built a genuine bridge of cultural communication.
Bridging Cultures Through Teaching: SUIBE Students Deepen Their International Chinese Education Practice in the Czech Republic
Throughout their overseas practicum, the SUIBErs have maintained an unwavering enthusiasm for learning and teaching. They stepped into classrooms for children of Chinese descent—teaching everything from the fundamentals of Chinese character strokes at the beginner level to the appreciation of classical poetry at the advanced stage—witnessing how overseas Chinese youth strengthen their linguistic roots through cultural nourishment.
They also participated in HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) classes for foreign learners, studying tiered teaching methods tailored to students of varying language backgrounds. Actively engaging in classroom interactions and recording teaching highlights, the overseas interns brought theory and practice together, transforming what they learned in class into real teaching ability.
At the Confucius Classroom of the College of Business and Technology in České Budějovice, the students gathered around to listen to Dean Hao Wenjun, who shared valuable insights drawn from his own teaching experience—outlining the development, current state, and future prospects of international Chinese education in the Czech Republic. This dialogue broadened the students’ global vision and inspired innovative thinking. They came to a profound realization: international Chinese education goes far beyond language instruction—it is about building bridges through Chinese, enabling people from diverse cultural backgrounds to understand the warmth and depth of China.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, its poetic charm transcended borders. At a workshop held in the Confucius Classroom, SUIBE students and children of Chinese descent gathered around a table, making mooncakes under the teachers’ guidance. From kneading the dough to pressing patterns, they experienced the cultural beauty of traditional Chinese festivals through hands-on participation and shared moments of reunion.
Meanwhile, another lively “cross-cultural classroom” unfolded as the SUIBErs made dumplings with foreign friends. While patiently demonstrating the art of pleating dumplings, they shared the cultural significance of this dish in Chinese life, conveying the richness of Chinese traditions through a warm and interactive experience.
Since arriving in the Czech Republic, the SUIBE students majoring in International Chinese Education have continued to grow in their respective roles. They have taken initiative in cultural events, told China’s stories, and shared China’s voice with authenticity and warmth—striving to become well-rounded professionals equipped with solid expertise, practical teaching skills, and strong intercultural competence. In the coming two weeks of their practicum, they will continue to forge ahead, contributing to the dissemination of Chinese culture and the strengthening of China–Czech exchanges.