The Shanghai Open University International Student Exchange Program, hosted by the Institute of International Exchange at SOU, successfully concluded at Guoshun Campus on the morning of August 23, 2013. 24 international students from 12 countries and 10 universities, including the Open University of Netherlands, The Open University in UK, Dublin City Univeristy, Universitadegli Studi Guglielmo Marconi, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, etc. participated in the event.
Prof. JIAGN Hong, President of SOU and Prof. GU Xiaomin, Vice President of SOU attended the opening ceremony and conducted welcome speeches. Prof. GU Xiaomin also gave a concluding speech and presented each overseas participant with a certificate of completion at the closing ceremony.
The two-week program included basic Chinese language class, Chinese culture and custom class, an introduction to traditional Chinese culture such as calligraphy and Chinese painting, Taichi, and Chinese traditional dance, taught by teachers and students of SOU. In addition, overseas students visited cultural and historical sites, museums, and a branch school of SOU and took part in artistic and sport activities to experience the tradition and modern development of Shanghai and to understand the distance education system of Shanghai Open University. Organizer also provided a platform for each international student to share the culture and customs of their hometown and country with other overseas participants and Chinese students.
At the closing ceremony, each participating student gave a presentation with the topic “What I learnt in Shanghai”, sharing with everyone their experiences in Shanghai from a cross cultural perspective, all of them felt hospitality and warmth of students and staff of Shanghai Open University and gave positive feedback of the program. Just as a student says, “this event is successful beyond expectations and provides unique learning and life experience,” which is a common feeling shared among all participating students.
25 students from Shanghai Open University attended the program as volunteers to help international students get acquainted with their lives at SOU and in Shanghai. Participating in the international student exchange program enabled students of SOU to improve their English speaking skills, better understanding of different cultures and to have a broader international vision. Communication with sincerity also won friendship and beautiful memories for all overseas participants and Chinese volunteering students.
The International Student Exchange Program provided the overseas students with an opportunity to get to know about Chinese culture and the distance education at SOU, and to experience the charm of Shanghai. As the first international student exchange program SOU has hosted since it started exchange and cooperation with overseas universities, this program is expected to provide more opportunities for SOU’s international exchange and cooperation, online courses and non-degree programs for overseas students, and cross-cultural communication and education.
