During the Spring Festival of the 2026 Year of the Horse, in order to help international students on campus gain a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese festival culture and experience the strong festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year, the School of International Education organized a cultural experience activity themed around the traditional customs of the Spring Festival. International students from Morocco, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Yemen, and other countries gathered together to experience the unique charm of the Chinese New Year through a variety of activities, including a Spring Festival cultural class, calligraphy tracing of the character "Fu" (Blessing), and a visit to the Jiangxi Provincial Museum. Through these immersive activities, the students were able to appreciate Chinese culture at close range and celebrate the traditional festival together.

Cultural Class: Understanding the Spiritual Connotations of the Spring Festival

At the beginning of the event, the School of International Education held a Spring Festival cultural class for the students. Teachers introduced the historical origins of the festival and explained the cultural meanings behind traditional customs such as staying up late on Chinese New Year’s Eve, paying New Year visits, and pasting Spring Festival couplets and the character “Fu.”

Rehana, an international student from Morocco, listened attentively and took careful notes. She shared, “Before, I only knew that people set off firecrackers, put up couplets, and give red envelopes during the Spring Festival. But today, I learned that each custom carries profound meaning. I am deeply touched by the Chinese people’s devotion to family and their beautiful hopes for the future.”

Welcoming the New Year with Golden Ink: Hand-copying the Character “Fu”

After learning about the spiritual essence of the Spring Festival, the international students moved on to the most anticipated part of the event—hand-copying the Chinese character “Fu”. With red paper spread out and the faint scent of golden ink in the air, the students concentrated intently as they traced the character using rubbing techniques.

At the activity site, students admired one another’s works and shared their thoughts on tracing experiences. Although each “Fu” character was created by students from different countries, all of them conveyed the same heartfelt wishes for blessings and happiness in the Chinese New Year.

Exploring the Museum: Tracing the Cultural Roots of Jiangxi

With a better understanding of Spring Festival culture and their personal experience of writing the character “Fu,” the students then visited the Jiangxi Provincial Museum and embarked on an immersive cultural journey to explore the rich heritage of Jiangxi.

At the museum, the students followed the guide and systematically learned about the development of Jiangxi from ancient times to the present. The exquisite bronze ware, with its simple yet elegant shapes and intricate patterns, bore witness to the splendid civilization of the Gan-Po region (the Jiangxi region) more than three thousand years ago. Wang Li, an international student from Uzbekistan, stopped for a long time in front of the exhibits and said with admiration, “These bronze wares are truly astonishing. They show me the wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient Chinese craftsmen.”

This museum visit was not only a visual feast, but also an immersive cultural lesson. Standing before the relics, listening to the explanations, and reflecting on what they saw, the students were able to connect the Spring Festival culture they had learned in class with the profound historical heritage beneath their feet.

Nana, an international student from Tunisia, remarked, “What I used to read about Chinese history in textbooks has become a tangible experience today. Seeing these cultural relics in the museum and recalling the Spring Festival customs introduced by the teacher gave me a more vivid and multidimensional understanding of Chinese culture.”

This immersive experience, with the Spring Festival as a bridge, allowed international students to understand China through cultural lesson, feel China through the hand-writing of character "Fu", and perceive China through walking in a museum. The activity not only enriched the students’ Spring Festival holiday, but also built a bridge for cultural exchange between China and other countries, enabling overseas students to appreciate the festive atmosphere, integrate into campus life, understand Chinese culture, and experience the warmth of China.