In order to further deepen the mutual understanding between Chinese and Japanese university students and enhance the friendship, Professor Yu Yang, deputy director of the International Education Center of Josai University, Japan, led 8 students to DUT to carry out a short-term exchange project from March 6 to March 12,. On the afternoon of March 6, Wang Jue, deputy director of the International Office of DUT, attended the opening ceremony with the project team and student representatives of our school, warmly welcoming the visit of Josai University.

Learning about Chinese Culture through Lectures and Tai Chi

The delegation from Josai University listened to a lecture given by associate professor Meng Qingrong, the dean of the Japanese Department of DUT. Focused on the history of Dalian City and the origin of its landmark buildings, the lecture was rich in content and easy to understand, ensuring students a preliminary understanding of the social culture of Dalian City and China.

Lecturer Yang Yulong from Physical Education Department brought Tai Chi experience activities for students from Josai University. Not only the history, morals, and function of Tai Chi were introduced, but Tai Chi movements were taught step by step from the beginning, leading students to experience the uniqueness of Tai Chi as well as the long heritage of Chinese culture.

Recognizing the Development of Dalian City by Visiting Companies and Institutions

During the exchanges, the teachers and students of Josai University visited JETRO, Dalian, Lvshun Museum, Yamato Hotel (Dalian Hotel today), etc. A series of visits gave the teachers and students of Josai University some understanding of Dalian’s economic development and the status of attracting foreign investment, the preferential policies of Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone for Japanese companies, and the status of Japanese companies in China.

Enhancing Mutual Understanding via the Exchange Forum

In order to enhance the exchanges between Chinese and Japanese youths, students from DUT and Josai University attended a Sino-Japanese cultural exchange forum. In the forum, both sides introduced their own national food culture, festivals, architectural styles, etc., and conducted exchanges and discussions on the development, similarities and differences of Chinese and Japanese cultures. The students from China and Japan enhanced mutual understanding and friendship during the exchange process.

Gains and Reflections

On March 11, Josai University delegation was divided into three groups to report their reflections on the exchanges over the past week. They expressed their gratitude to the teachers and students of DUT for the warm reception and meticulous service, and said that they will contribute for Sino-Japanese friendship in the future.

Professor Zhao Shengchuan, director of the International Office of DUT, issued certificates of completion to the students of Josai University who participated in the exchange.

Since 2007, DUT has been accepting short-term exchange students from Josai University. So far, more than 120 students from 7 delegations of Josai University have been received. At the same time, DUT also sent 7 delegations to Japanese universities such as Josai University through the Japanese Culture Research Camp project to conduct research visits, with more than 200 students in total. Through activities like special courses, cultural experiences, various lectures, city tours, corporate visits, campus cultural experiences and so on, the project deepened the mutual understanding between students from different countries and promoted the shared progress of young Chinese and Japanese students.