From July 14 to 21, CUEB hosted the Summer Practice and Exchange Program for faculty and students from California State University, Fullerton. The program was led and organized by the School of International Education. 

Members of the delegation visit CUEB History Museum

At the opening ceremony, Liu Wenchuan, Dean of the School of International Education, delivered a speech. On behalf of the School of International Education, he welcomed the delegation’s faculty and students. He expected that during the one-week stay, participants could attend classes and visit companies with inquiring minds. Amid the urban landscape blending ancient heritage and modern development, they would gain a true, multidimensional, and comprehensive understanding of China and strive to become bridges of friendship and mutual trust between young people of the two universities. Li Juanting, Secretary of the Directly-Affiliated Party Branch of International Cooperation and Exchange, presented souvenirs to the participants and explained the campus culture embodied in these gifts. Yi Jenny ZHANG, the faculty representative of the US delegation, expressed sincere gratitude to CUEB for its thoughtful arrangements. She noted that this immersive learning opportunity was invaluable for the US faculty and students. She hoped participants could deepen their understanding, acquire knowledge, and forge enduring friendships. 

The program consisted of four modules: classroom lectures, corporate field research, urban cultural tours, and folk custom experiences. Upon completion of all activities, participants delivered group presentations at the closing session. In classroom sessions, Li Jing, Professor at the School of Economics, delivered a lecture titled “Experience and Path of China’s Economic Development”. With abundant case studies, she reviewed China’s development trajectory, economic structure, and modernization practices. Liu Yishan from the School of International Education gave a presentation comparing Chinese and Western music. Drawing on folk music materials from various regions, he compared expressive features of Chinese and Western music and performed live musical excerpts. For corporate field research, the delegation visited exhibition halls of Huawei and iFLYTEK. They learned about advances in smart hardware and artificial intelligence industriesand held in-depth discussions with staff on technology application,market layout, and user-basedgrowth. During urban cultural tours, the group visited the Palace Museum, the Mutianyu Great Wall, and Nanluogu Lane. They appreciated the profound heritage of historical sites and the unique charm of Beijing hutongs, experiencing how the city combines tradition and modernity. In the folk custom session, participants took part in a Chinese pasta-making workshop. They learned to make dumplings and experienced Chinese culinary culture and traditional lifestyles.

As reported, this program marks a new initiative by the School of International Education to improve its short-term exchange brand. It integrates cultural exchange with professional practice and explores credit recognition cooperation with overseas partner universitiesso as to enrich the program content and improve participants’ overall experience. In the future, the School of International Education will continue to refine its programs and contribute to building the “Study at CUEB”brand.