The 2026 XISU International Student Summer School successfully concluded. During the four-week programme, international students gathered in Xi’an for a wonderful journey of cultural exchange.
This summer, international students from various countries gathered in the ancient city of Xi’an for a four-week summer program held by Xi’an International Studies University. The program, which opened on the morning of July 20, was an in-depth study tour with the Chinese language as a bridge and the Chinese culture as its core.
Strengthen communication through Chinese language learning
The students were divided into different groups based on their Chinese proficiency and received systematic, comprehensive training in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Their language skills and learning confidence grew steadily in an immersive environment: from daily greetings to themed communication, from Chinese characters to situational conversations. At the end of the program, multiple students were awarded the title of “Outstanding Student” for their excellent performance in attendance, classroom activities and other factors, which left a bright mark on this fulfilling summer.
Experience the beauty of the East through cultural immersion
In the early morning, they attended the Tai Chi and Kung Fu classes on campus, experiencing the Eastern philosophy of “combining strength and gentleness” in every move. In the afternoon, they were exposed to the beauty of traditional Chinese crafts and the spirit of artisans through hands-on sessions on intangible cultural heritage skills such as hand-painting of round fans, Chinese knot weaving and paper cutting.
Explore the city with a time-honored history
The city of Xi’an is a history museum without walls. Multiple city tours were organized to lead the students out of the campus and into this ancient capital with a history of thousands of years. They put on traditional Chinese clothing and enjoyed the night view at the pedestrian street of Grand Tang Dynasty Everbright City, experiencing the grandeur of the great Tang Dynasty. They looked back at history in Xi’an Museum, on the ancient city wall, in front of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the magnificent Terracotta Army. They savored the most authentic local life at the Xiaonanmen morning market and Shuncheng Lane, and had “a bite of China” in the Muslim Quarter.
Build friendship in heartwarming moments
In addition to language learning and cultural exploration, XISU held a group birthday party for students whose birthdays fell during the summer program. In candlelight and laughter, young people from different countries sang birthday songs together and exchanged blessings in their respective languages, feeling sincere love and warmth in a foreign land. This friendship that transcends national borders has become a precious and touching chapter in this summer.
Four weeks have passed in the blink of an eye, leaving behind an unforgettable memory of growing up this summer. With language as a bridge and culture as a medium, young people from various countries gained a better understanding of China through classroom learning and field trips, and harvested friendship through exchanges and mutual learning, which is a vivid manifestation of mutual understanding and integration of world civilizations.
