Chinese Bridge Summer Camp at Ritsumeikan University 2025

The "Chinese Bridge" Summer Camp held at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University took place from September 2 to September 11, 2025. This event was organized by the International Education Institute of Zhejiang University and received support from the Center for Language Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education. The summer camp aimed to provide participants with immersive experiences in Chinese language learning and cultural exploration, attracting a total of 17 students from six different countries including Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Australia, South Korea, and India.

The summer camp officially commenced on September 3 at the International School of Zhejiang University, which hosted an opening ceremony. Educators from the school provided insight into Hangzhou's historical and cultural significance, alongside an overview of Zhejiang University itself. Furthermore, participants received detailed information regarding the summer camp's itinerary and pointers to follow during their stay. To foster interaction, the opening program featured engaging icebreaker activities designed to help students from diverse backgrounds connect and establish common interests.

The curriculum of the Chinese language courses was designed to balance practicality with enjoyment. Instructors focused on everyday themes such as transportation, daily life, and shopping, employing interactive teaching methods to engage students fully. Over the week-long program, participants demonstrated significant improvements in their listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities, leaving them more proficient in using the language.

Cultural lectures at the camp presented a balanced view of China's rich traditions and modern-day life. One highlight was a lecture on tea culture, where students learned about historical and contemporary tea-making techniques rooted in the Song Dynasty through expert explanations and hands-on demonstrations. Another lecture spotlighted various aspects of daily life, capturing the lively essence of current Chinese society in Hangzhou, fostering an engaging environment during interactive discussions.

Participants also had the chance to partake in vivid and exciting cultural experiences throughout the program. Students visited the renowned Lingyin Temple, immersing themselves in a millennium of Buddhist culture, and strolled along the Grand Canal to appreciate its historical context and contemporary significance. The enchanting evening tour of West Lake and Hefang Street showcased the poetic beauty celebrating Hangzhou's identity, while the immersive experience in Song City offered a cultural feast that creatively blended sound, light, and spectacle.

During their leisure time, many students explored unique aspects of Chinese lifestyle, such as the convenience of bike-sharing and ride-hailing services, highlighting how technology has simplified daily activities through mobile payment systems. Notably, students applied their classroom knowledge practically by communicating with locals in Chinese, embodying the camp's goal of fostering real-world language use.

Beyond language acquisition, this summer camp served as a dynamic platform for international students to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture while promoting cultural exchanges between China and the participating countries. Through immersive cultural activities and applicable living experiences, students not only enhanced their language proficiency but also cultivated a passion for continuing their Chinese studies.