On the afternoon of February 21, the Featured Chinese Program of Global Education Center from East China Normal University held a memorable welcome ceremony in Physics Building. Over 300 international students from more than 40 countries around the world gathered together to embark on a learning journey in the Intensive Chinese Program, Business Chinese Program, and GCP Program.

The ceremony kicked off with relaxing and interesting warm-up games,  breaking down barriers and fostering understanding among teachers and students amidst laughter and joy. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and harmony.

Sun Qi, Director of the Teaching Office of the Global Education Center, delivered a speech, extending sincere welcomes to the newly arrived international students from various countries and providing a detailed introduction to the Featured Chinese Program. She encouraged the students to cherish this learning opportunity, daring to be explorers of the Chinese language, adventurers of culture, and builders of friendship, while cultivating an international perspective and striving to reach new academic heights.

HITKARI CHERRY, an international student from India, shared her learning experience at East China Normal University, praising the school's warm humanistic care and rich learning atmosphere. She expressed her deep love for Chinese learning and shared her learning insights. She encouraged the new students to actively adapt to the new environment and bravely pursue their dreams.

SHIBUYA RUNA, a student from Japan, shared her experiences online. She currently has a widespread influence on Chinese social media. She reviewed her growth journey in the Intensive Chinese Program, inspiring her fellow students with her own gains from studying abroad and fostering their enthusiasm and expectations for Chinese learning. She provided valuable experience and insights for the new students, urging them to actively integrate into the new environment and dare to practice and express themselves.

Subsequently , three fascinating project presentation lectures —— "Getting to Know Shanghai," "Overview of the Featured Chinese Program," and "Introduction to the GCP Program" —— unfolded one after another, helping the students gain an deeper understanding of Shanghai's historical culture, as well as the curriculum, rules and regulations, and teaching teams of the Featured Chinese Program and GCP Program, further stimulating their beautiful aspirations for their future learning life.

During the class meetings, the new students introduced themselves through fun interactive sessions such as "Keyword Self-Portrait," "Hobby Blind Box Sharing," and "Unique Experience Showcase." Subsequently, various ice-breaking games were conducted in each class, including "Charades," "Chop sticks and Marbles Challenge," "Information Bingo," "Draw Five Senses With Eyes Closed," and "Copy and Pass It On". Amidst laughter and joy, the students not only deepened their friendships but also jointly created a warm and harmonious learning environment.

At the end of the event, students wrote their expectations and aspirations for the new semester in the “time capsule” as a gift to the future. We look forward to seeing them soar to broader horizons with Chinese as their wings on the fertile ground of East China Normal University. Let's embark on this new semester together!