Sommerlehrstipendium-Summercamp in China

Chinese Civilization and Embracing Modern Progress”: The introductory words chosen by the Beijing Language and Culture University describe best the remarkable journey through China twelve students from the University of St. Gallen were invited to attend. by the BLCU, a prestigious university under the Ministry of Education, the study trip was intended to show China the 21 attending students from Switzerland through the lens of history, culture and recent modernisation. Starting in Beijing, students not only discovered the arts of calligraphy, painting or the multifaceted tea culture during an impressive ceremony but also had the opportunity to improve their language skills by being taught by a local teacher for several days. A truly extraordinary visit to the Badaling Great Wall as well as to Tiananmen Square and its surrounding neighbourhood finalised the first part of the ten-day journey. this, students then visited Xi’an, the capital of several ruling dynasties, a symbol of China's ancient history and the eastern starting point of the Silk Road. The participants had the opportunity to visit historic sites such as the Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Hot Springs. Equally important, students were familiarised with the secrets and diverse cultures of various districts thanks to a seemingly omniscient local guide.  was a true ‘from ancient times to futuristic dreams’ experience for students arriving in Shanghai afterwards, which marked the last destination. On-site, students enjoyed the multiple facets of the captivating megacity by exploring Qibao Ancient Town, Shanghai museums or Yu Garden. Certainly, unforgettable walks along the fascinating riverside were also highly appreciated by participants. we – on behalf of all students from HSG – would like to thank the organizers' dedication and passion for creating a memorable journey. The carefully selected destinations allowed us to explore the beauty and diversity of each place, immersing ourselves in the local culture and traditions for ten days. Additionally, it was they who ensured that all logistics ran smoothly, leaving us with nothing to worry about except enjoying every moment of our adventure. importantly, representing all HSG participants, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Ms Fraefel-Huang, our lecturer and main coordinator of Chinese at the University of St. Gallen. It was she who not only provided us with the incredible opportunity of joining this trip but also whose never-ending dedication and commitment sparked our interest in Chinese culture and language