11 students from University of Notre Dame, United States, arrived at ZUFE to embark on a week-long cultural exchange journey from October 20 to 26. Wei Jiang, president of ZUFE, was invited to the opening ceremony of the “Discover Zhejiang” China-U.S. Youth Cultural Exchange Camp and delivered a welcome speech. Zheng Yali, vice president of ZUFE, was also present. Heads of the International Office and School of International Education & Studies, as well as some faculty and students of ZUFE, participated in the event.
Wei Jiang stated that Hangzhou, known as the city of digital economy, is the region with the most developed private economy in China. ZUFE attaches great importance to the integration of economic management and digital economy, and is cultivating talents who possess interdisciplinary capabilities in “Finance × Digital Intelligence” and “Finance × Technology” and who have both passion and an international perspective. He encouraged both domestic and international students to visit rural areas, enterprises, and museums to gain a deeper understanding of the beauty of Zhejiang and the blend of traditional Chinese culture and modern civilization. He also mentioned that all the students involved are bridges and envoys of China-U.S. exchanges, and should cherish the short exchange period, make more friends, and collectively sow the seeds of friendship between China and the United States.
The students visited the China National Silk Museum, where they learned about the stories of Leizu, the legendary figure who first cultivated silkworms, and the “Silkworm Flower Goddess.” They watched animations demonstrating the processes of boiling cocoons and reeling silk, and admired the exquisite and intricately crafted silk garments. At the China National Tea Museum, they studied classics of tea, appreciated the art of tea ceremony, and savored the fragrance of tea, immersing themselves in the 2,000-year history of tea culture. At the Xixi National Wetland Park, under the guidance of instructors from the Xixi Cross-Strait Cultural Communication Center, both domestic and international students practiced the traditional Chinese exercise of Baduanjin. Moving in sync with their breath and focusing their minds, they captured unforgettable moments together.
In Qingshan Village, Yuhang District, students thoroughly visited the Rong Design Library, a natural school built with rammed earth, and the Longwu Reservoir. The ecological civilization, green development, and the integration of traditional culture into modern art in China’s beautiful countryside, as well as the way traditional villages embrace modern markets, left them with both sensory impact and intellectual inspiration. At the Intangible Cultural Heritage Bamboo Weaving Workshop, students collaborated to create a variety of exquisite bamboo crafts. From raw bamboo and bamboo strips to intricately shaped and functionally diverse bamboo artifacts, these pieces transcended traditional handicrafts, evolving into artistic expressions of modern civilization infused with contemporary creativity.
As a traditional Chinese verse goes, “Moistening all things silently, the quiet speaks louder than words.” Through lectures on China’s economy, engaging Chinese language classes, and immersive cultural experiences, the exchange camp offered American students a multifaceted journey—from intellectual inspiration and practical exchange to linguistic and cultural immersion, narrating the story of China and amplifying its voice.
Miranda, an American student, shared that her visit to ZUFE was an extraordinary experience, allowing her to connect with the authentic essence of China. The picturesque countryside, unique culture, and warm exchanges left a lasting impression, and she expressed a strong desire to return to China if given the opportunity. The “Discover Zhejiang” China-U.S. Youth Cultural Exchange Camp is a practical approach by ZUFE to implement the “50,000 People
in 5 Years” initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the China-U.S. summit meeting in San Francisco. Supported by China Educational Association for International Exchange, ZUFE is the first higher educational institution to facilitate the “Young Envoys Scholarship” (YES) program aimed at promoting cultural exchanges between China and the United States.
