As the crisp autumn breeze brings a refreshing coolness and the fragrant osmanthus blossoms fill the air, Tianjin Chengjian University (TCU)'s School of International Education (SIE) organized a traditional cultural experience event titled “Mid-Autumn Moon, Full of Affection at TCU” for representative Chinese and international students on campus on September 29, ahead of the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Scchool leadership, Chinese language instructors, counselors, and over 30 international students from countries including Tajikistan, Nigeria, and Morocco, along with Chinese students, participated in the event.
At the outset of the event, the Chinese language instructor delivered a vivid and detailed presentation, complete with rich visuals, explaining the origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival to the students. The lecture covered traditional Chinese cultural customs such as moon gazing, mooncake eating, and pomegranate tasting. Li Jia, Secretary of the Directly Affiliated Party Branch of the School of International Education, and Dean Wang Xiao delivered bilingual Mid-Autumn Festival greetings on behalf of SIE. They encouraged students to actively promote China, Tianjin, and TCU while experiencing the beauty of Chinese culture, striving to become bridges and bonds that enhance mutual understanding and friendship among peoples of all nations, and to serve as practitioners and promoters of Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. Chinese and international faculty and students savored mooncakes while sharing stories of friendship. International students recounted their enriching experiences and life stories in China, gaining a deeper appreciation for the profound depth and enduring legacy of traditional Chinese culture.
Amid from Tajikistan and OD from Nigeria, representing international students, expressed gratitude for the care and support from the university and school. They stated: Through today's cultural experience, we not only learned about the Mid-Autumn Festival but also felt a unique warmth while living abroad. Moving forward, we will cherish our opportunity to study here, diligently pursue our academic knowledge, broaden our life experiences, strive to become outstanding talents in our fields, contribute to the development of our home countries, and dedicate ourselves to serving as ambassadors of friendship in Sino-foreign exchanges and cooperation."
Following the event, SIE leadership visited the dormitories of the Class of 2025 international students. They inquired about the newcomers' academic and daily lives since their arrival and extended heartfelt holiday wishes, effectively conveying the university and school's care for the international students.
The university places high importance on international student recruitment and has implemented the “Study at TCU” brand initiative. To date, the university has enrolled international students from 40 countries. In 2021, it successfully passed the Ministry of Education's Quality Certification for International Student Programs. In 2023, it hosted the Ministry of Education's online group exchange projects for the “Chinese Bridge” competition and the “Chinese Language + Vocational Skills” program. In 2025, its Guqin Music and Song Base was approved as a national-level “Social Practice Base for Chinese and International Youth.” The university's international student education has achieved leapfrog development, evolving from its inception to excellence.
Moving forward, TCU will continue to foster mutual understanding and exchange among Chinese and international students through diverse immersive cultural experiences and cross-cultural activities. By cultivating beauty and enriching culture, we will enable international students to experience the profound heritage and artistic charm of Chinese culture through practice, deepening their knowledge, friendship, and affection for China. We will empower students from both nations to tell compelling Chinese stories, fostering cultural integration, enhancing civilizational exchanges, and contributing TCU's strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
