Recently, all students from Class 1-2A of the Intensive Chinese Program conducted the “Shanghai Museum Exploration—International Students' Quest for Chinese Culture” themed social activity, which opened a door for international students to understand Chinese history and culture.

Entering a museum, touching the historical context

The Shanghai Museum (East Hall), a magnificent cultural hall, is like a three-dimensional historical book, displaying countless precious cultural relics that carry the Chinese civilization.

The students listened carefully to the teacher's explanation in the museum. From ancient stone and pottery, to bronze ware from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, to calligraphy, painting, and porcelain from the Tang and Song dynasties, every exhibit is a witness to history.

Interview tourists and build cultural bridges

In order to gain a deeper understanding of the inheritance and exchange of culture in the present, students use their learned Chinese to communicate with visitors in the museum.

Students conducted interviews on topics such as the historical origins of cultural relics and the significance of traditional culture.

Experience and achievements, witness growth and harvest.

The students presented their gains from this social practice through various forms such as vlog videos, pictures, and PPTs. Now let's listen to their thoughts.

Saya: I had the opportunity to visit the Shanghai Museum. I have traveled throughout the entire museum. There is something I really like, which is written with a brush and has long lines on it, but I can't understand it. It looks both beautiful and unique. The teacher told me about this artwork, and I also really want to learn Chinese calligraphy! 

Gracia :My favorite things at the Shanghai Museum are Chinese painting and ceramics. I really like natural paintings with flowers and mountains. Then I am also particularly interested in portraits of ladies, because their hair and clothes sometimes look like the wind is blowing, and this kind of painting is very elegant. In addition, I think ceramics are very interesting. You can see different shapes and colors, each one is very unique. 

Abigail&Charissa: Let's go see an exhibition hall called "Ancient Chinese Ceramics". There are many ancient things inside, such as vases, cups, plates, and so on. They are very beautiful, big and small, blue, white and yellow. There is a large glass box in the middle of the exhibition hall, which contains several vases. We took many photos there. There is also a round headlight on top, which looks very nice. We look at the small characters next to each thing and know that they were made a long time ago. Some are for drinking water, and some are for placing flowers. We think these things are very beautiful and special. I took a walk with my friends and talked a lot. I think this exhibition hall is very fun and I also learned some ancient Chinese things. Next time I want to go somewhere else to see. 

This activity not only enhanced students' ability to express themselves in Chinese, but also allowed them to experience the profound foundation of Chinese culture.Social practice activity is an extension of Chinese class, taking students into various aspects of life in Chinese society, applying  Chinese in real life context, and gaining language progress and cultural insights.