On 19th of June 2018, a delegation of 20 CI students (comprising of staff and students of UoM), headed by Associate Professor Tan Xudong, Chinese Director of CI-UoM, flew to Hangzhou, China. The experience of the summer camp has left an indelible mark on all those who attended and CI-UoM have captured some of the lasting impressions of the visit.
在毛里求斯大学孔子学院陈老师的帮助下，我的梦想得以实现。在此，我要特别感谢来自浙江理工大学的老师们，他们通过各种形式向我们展示汉语和中国文化，例如，中文歌曲，书法，剪纸，太极等等，使我们受益匪浅。最后，再次感谢这个美妙的旅程。
米莉
2018年夏令营参加者
(Translation) “With the help of the teacher, Miss Chen (Amity) of CI at UoM, my dream of learning Mandarin comes true. On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the teachers and volunteers of ZSTU. They present to us, in different ways, the charm of Chinese language and culture, such as: Chinese songs, calligraphy, paper-cutting, and Taiji boxing. All these activities taught us a lot, culturally. In the end, we feel very grateful for the wonderful trip in China.”
Plate 1. Mili Chundunsing’s experience of her visit to China, captured in several photos. Mili with Chinese teacher, Amity, bottom right corner photo.
“The summer camp organized by CI-UoM-ZSTU is the best camp ever!!! I loved the hotel, public bicycles, local volunteers, the food and everything else. I explored the Chinese culture; clothing, opera, calligraphy, paper cutting and more. My dearest friendships were made there. The coolest thing is the singing classes and the Chinese songs sang in the bus.”
Plate 2. Shariad’s experiences of his visit to China, captured in several photos; Shariad, second from right, centre photo.
“The twelve-day summer camp in China was a fantastic and enriching time, and is a once in a lifetime opportunity not to be missed. This was my first visit to China and everything I experienced was beyond my expectations; the wide variety of delicious food, the well-balanced cultural programmes and tours; and the warm welcome and hospitality extended to us by the Zhejiang Sci-Tech University staff and students. Wow!”
Plate 3. Henri, first from right in second row, with other delegates of CI-UoM at ZSTU, Hangzhou, China
“These two weeks have been an enriching experience; making new friends in a new environment and with refreshing challenges. As a fresher to China, I have discovered, first hand, what China is about; something that is quite different from what we see or hear from other sources. On top of it all, Chinese hospitality has been beyond my expectation and I have experience no better, as of yet!”
Plate 4. Sanjana, front row centre, in the company of friends from CI-UoM and newly made friends from ZSTU
“The arrangements made by the staff of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University to host the CI-UoM students were outstanding. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go to all the local volunteers for their valuable help and support throughout our stay and for sparing their time to accompany us during the various cultural trips. It was a great privilege for me to have been able to visit the beautiful city of Hangzhou and taste the local delicacies.”
Plate 5. Leena, first right, with friends from CI-UoM and a ZSTU volunteer at a market place near West Lake, Hangzhou.
“Things end but memories last forever.”
“CI-UoM Summer camp 2018 was genuinely beyond expectations. It was well packed with Mandarin classes, calligraphy, paper cutting and lovely visits to places such as Jinhua, West Lake, museums and shopping malls.
Thumbs up, ZSTU, for the hospitality and arrangements!”
Plate 6. A snapshot of Urvashi’s experience of CI-UoM Summer Camp in China, 2018.
“The CI-UoM Summer Camp 2018 was an extraordinary experience. It was led by Tan Lao Shi who was also our photographer for the numerous memorable moments! All the teachers we had during our calligraphy, paper cutting, singing, wu shu and mandarin classes were wonderful. We are very thankful to the staff and students of ZSTU for the excellent organization of the camp. The welcome and hospitality was beyond what we expected!”
Plate 7. Marie France, centre, expressing her affection for Chinese calligraphy.
“The well elaborated 10-day program incorporated Chinese classes, cultural exposures, site-visits and tours. It combined learning with pleasure. It is, above all, a valued and enriching human experience and I am overwhelmed by the richness and vibrancy of the Chinese culture. The summer camp has consolidated the bonding between students & staff of UoM and that of ZSTU. My warm gratitude and thanks to CI-UoM for giving me the opportunity to live this wonderful and unique life experience.”
Plate 8. Bruno, 11th from left, on a cultural visit with delegates from UoM and ZSTU.
“From experiencing life as regular ZSTU students attending classes and eating at canteens, to exploring China’s rich and diverse culture dressed up as Chinese opera characters, and touring Hefang Street, West Lake, Emperor Qin’s Palace Studio, Huayuan Village, the Silk Market, and other places, this summer camp has been an immersive and meaningful journey in the company of newfound Chinese friends.”
Plate 9. Ashna’s collection of photos depicting some of her newfound friends
“Ah China! My very first experience of summer camp was first class; whether it was the hotel, food, cultural tours or visits. The Chinese classes, lecturers, local volunteers and people were great. The most cherished and superstar moment was when we attended the opera and got the unexpected opportunity to try the make-up, dresses of bride and groom. We felt like superstars on the red carpet as our photos were being taken and the flashes went wild!!”
Plate 10. Inshirah, right, dressed up as a character in a Chinese opera and in the charming company of Chinese children at school’s canteen.
“I'm extremely grateful to CI-UoM for everything that the institute has offered to me. It's amazing how a language can change your life and bring more that you've ever wished for. It’s curiosity that has led me to this path but it’s also because of my yearning for new challenges. Thank you once again for the great life experience!”
Plate 11. Encapsulation of Shannon’s experience of the Summer Camp in China
“The CI-UoM Summer Camp was a dream-like adventure with unbelievable discoveries. Mesmerised by China’s hospitable people, best local volunteer-Lei (who is now a best friend), green tea varieties, historical sites; emperor’s palace and fans, swords and silk museums. Dressing up as the Monkey King was a marking experience and I finally learnt eating with chopsticks!”
Plate 12. Avinav’s recollection of the CI-UoM Summer Camp in China.
“The CI-UoM summer camp in China was wonderful. I really enjoyed the culture and site seeing, the delicious food, meeting and making new friends and learning mandarin language. I would recommend anyone to go to the summer camp if they have a chance or at least follow the courses provided by the Confucius Institute as this all together will be a very good experience. I would like to thank the Confucius Institute for this amazing opportunity!”
Plate 13. Nehela, third from left, making the ‘love you’ hand expression during a visit of Hangzhou.