East China Normal University recently welcomed special guests - junior high school students from Shanghai Lingqiao Middle School, who joined international students from 12 countries in the Intensive Program Class 3-1 for a unique "Youth Dialogue Across Cultures" Chinese Corner event. Through cultural presentations, in-depth dialogues and campus exploration activities, the participants engaged in meaningful cross-cultural exchanges.

International students transformed into "cultural ambassadors," presenting the essence of their heritage through four interactive modules: "Tastes of Homeland," "Childhood Games," "Folk Traditions," and "Language Corner." This multidimensional showcase offered Chinese students an immersive glimpse into vibrant global cultures.

Turkish students demonstrated making baklava, while Ecuadorians taught the traditional "hilo" string game. Mongolian students shared nomadic customs, and Japanese students led a fun "telephone" language game with Chinese peers, filling the venue with laughter. Students from Shanghai Lingqiao Middle School presented "A Day in School," "Club Activities," "Dream Lists," and "Teenage Challenges" through videos, objects, and performances, offering international students authentic glimpses into Chinese campus life beyond textbooks.

The cross-cultural campus exploration began with an "interest-based pairing" system, quickly matching anime fans and history enthusiasts. Strolling along landmarks like Liwa River and the Chairman Mao statue, international students served as campus guides, sharing stories about local history using prepared cards, while Chinese students compared educational systems. The groups exchanged nursery rhymes and took commemorative photos, creating lasting memories of international friendship.

As the event concluded, paired partners co-created 30-second videos sharing their experiences in Chinese. "I never knew Chinese students also follow celebrities and stress about exams - we have so much in common!" exclaimed Australian student Xiao Ou. Lingqiao Middle School's Wang noted, "Being a 'cultural guide' for the first time not only improved my English but also boosted my confidence in showcasing China to the world." This Chinese Corner broke traditional classroom boundaries, with international students serving as both learners and cultural ambassadors, while Chinese teens acted as language guides and cultural interpreters.