In late March, students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill  and East China Normal University transcended the limitations of time and space to gather online, embarking on a month-long language and cultural exchange activity.

Founded in 1789, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. It is renowned for its outstanding academic achievements, vibrant campus life, and pioneering research.

In late March, undergraduate students from the Chinese 408 class at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) collaborated with students from the Intensive Chinese Program 2-2A class at East China Normal University (ECNU). They engaged in a series of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) activities and ultimately completed a project themed "Our Virtual Tour of Shanghai."

Ice-breaking and Getting to Know Each Other

Students from both sides created short self-introduction videos in Chinese, sharing cultural topics related to their study-abroad experiences in Shanghai.

Exploratory Learning:The online cultural exchange activity titled “Exploring Shanghai through My Eyes” was launched. Students from ECNU were divided into four groups based on the theme. They showcased their learning and life in Shanghai from a first-person perspective through creating short videos and collecting original Chinese materials. Under the guidance of their teachers, UNC students used these materials to conduct classroom discussions and research.

The Bund in Shanghai: The Convergence of China and the West

UNC: We are all interested in the history of Shanghai, so we want to demonstrate the relationship between Shanghai and the West by discussing the Bund.

ECNU: Let's visit the Bund Historical Museum to explore the historical connections between Shanghai and the West!

Shanghai’s Coffee Culture and Popular Snacks

UNC: We chose the café because we love drinking coffee. The coffee culture in Shanghai is very popular, and we also think this topic is of interest to many young people living in Shanghai.

ECNU: What a coincidence! We love drinking coffee too! Let’s delve into Shanghai’s coffee culture together!

Campus Activities and Young People’s Nightlife

UNC: What are some places near East China Normal University that students like to go to? Besides nightlife, what other sports do young people enjoy?

ECNU: There are many things to do on campus, such as playing basketball, collecting packages, buying coffee, and eating ramen. We also go to Global Harbor together for dinner or to sing karaoke.

Movies and Art Influenced by Shanghai Culture

UNC: Shanghai is a city where Chinese and Western cultures blend. We would like to know how Shanghai culture influences movies and art.

ECNU: We also love watching movies. Let us introduce some movies set in Shanghai to you. There are also many creative parks in Shanghai. Let’s go and find the answers together!

In late April, students from UNC created presentation boards themed “Our Virtual Tour of Shanghai” in groups. They showcased the cultural knowledge and language skills they had learned through exchanges with their ECNU peers using a combination of images and text. Each group focused on a common theme and expressed and presented their research findings and diverse perspectives on language and culture in both Chinese and English.

At the end of April, students from ECNU conducted a live campus tour for UNC students. Students from both sides gathered online, and through real-time interaction, they gained a deeper understanding of campus life and the history of East China Normal University.

Through this unique learning and exchange activity, the students from the University of North Carolina and East China Normal University not only made progress in language learning and enhanced their friendship and cooperation, but also experienced the charm and value of cross-cultural communication.