2017 SYSU International Summer Program Retrospect
On the afternoon of July the 22nd, the closing ceremony of the 2017 International Summer School of Sun Yat-sen University was held on the 3rd floor in the Lingnan hall. 60 students from different countries and regions, including America, England, France, Australia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Norway, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, received their certificates of completion, which put an end to their two-week study in Sun Yat-sen University.
The International Summer Program is sponsored by SYSU, organized by the International Relations Office of Lingnan (University) College. Partner schools of Sun Yat-sen University and Lingnan (University) College, including University of Technology Sydney, Queensland University of Technology, University of Singapore, Waseda University, Sungyunkwan University, Cape Town University, Sciences Po, Louvain School of Management, University of Texas at Austin, Seattle University, University College London, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong University, National Cheng Kung University, and Macao University of Science and Technology, nominated over 60 outstanding students in total to the program. In the two-week program, from July the 9th to 23rd, students attended various courses, including Chinese Language, Chinese Business Studies, Chinese Politics and Cultural Studies, and Canton/Hong Kong/ Macao/Taiwan Studies. Besides, 2 cultural activities were arranged, in which students were able to have a closer look at the economic development and cultural convention of the Pearl River Delta Area.
Phoenix Ngo from the University of Technology thinks that, through this Summer Camp, she has known a lot more about China. On her first arrival, everything was so unfamiliar to her. But shortly after the Summer Program began, through all kinds of interactions with local people and buddies from SYSU, she was fascinated by the beauty of Chinese culture.
Ke Yu’an from Tunghai University is grateful for all the people and things she met during the ISP, no matter the courses she took or interaction with new friends. "In daily courses, we always gain inspirations through discussion with friends in the program. The break time discussion is always like a mini United Nations, in which we try our best to raise new topics and express ourselves with English or Japanese words we know. The process really strengthens our language skills."
The 2017 ISP opening ceremony was on the morning of July 10th. The associate dean of Lingnan College, Dr. Zhang Yanmei delivered a welcome speech to the ISP students, extending her sincere welcome and earnest expectation. In her speech, she highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and cooperation in the fast developing modern society. She encouraged all students to go abroad to broaden their horizon and experience various cultures.
After the opening ceremony, ISP students started their studies in SYSU. Language courses and themed lectures took place alternatively. On one side, foreign students who learned Chinese for the first time made great efforts to practice Pinyin and the four tones following the instructors. On the other side, students listening to theme lectures were doing research on the political issues of Hong Kong and Macao, and having in-depth discussions with professors on the economic problem that Hong Kong came across after its return to China, and on the connection between the food culture and the changes in relationships between Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Theme lectures of Chinese Business Studies were delivered by professors from Lingnan. With innovative teaching methods, the six themed lectures integrated teaching with student presentations, engaging students in discussions concerning development of innovation in China, and igniting their passion for innovation. The class’s atmosphere was dynamic. Many international students, who came to this country for the first time, learned a lot from the lectures Effective Communication with Chinese and Cross-cultural Communication. Detailed and comprehensive introduction of the investment environment gave students deep insight to the economic development and policies of China. Alfie from National University of Singapore spoke highly of these theme lectures of Chinese Business Studies. He said, “Student deeply participate in the lectures, and professors are good at engaging students in class discussions and listening to opinions of students from different countries.”
In the class of China Politics and Culture, students had a closer look at the governance of urban and rural areas in China, China’s political system and China’s urban administration. By comparing political and economic systems of China with their own countries, students’ knowledge has been widened. By attending classes like Chinese Opera Study and Lifestyle of Modern Chinese, students’ understanding of Chinese traditional culture and modern lifestyle were deepened. They were also amazed by the Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting and Taiji. These classes have increased their interest in Chinese traditional culture as well as ignited their passion to learn more about Chinese language and culture. Joseph Wamicha from University of Cape Town mentioned the influence this course had on him in his commencement speech, saying that China is not only a country with rich culture and a long history, but also has a modern political system, which equipped her with substantial power to grow. He also expressed his wish to return to China to get a job after graduation.
Beside the courses, there were two culture tours organized by the summer program, including a two-day visit to Shenzhen from July 14 to 15 led by the associate director of IRO Ms. Melissa Liang. They not only learned about the philosophy and business model Maker Space, but also paid a visit to the Shenzen Museum and the exhibition hall of DJI, in which they experienced the most cutting-edge technology and economic concept by feasting their eyes with a drone show.
The second company tour took place in Guangzhou Yuanmeisheng Cosmetics Company on the afternoon of July 19. The students toured around the office area and laboratories after listening to an introduction about the history and start-up stories of this company given by the director.
On the morning of July 22, all the students submitted their final report in time, and attended the commencement ceremony in which they received the certificate of completion. It signifies a success of 2017 International Summer Program of Sun Yat-sen University. In the 2-week program, students learned a lot about China through their experience and diligent study. Profound friendships have also been forged between students, as well as between students and buddies. In the ceremony, students give their commencement speeches and showing their talents, which is a way to express their sincere gratitude to the organizers and buddies.
