The Third Online Cross-Cultural Exchange Program between SJTU and the University of Warwick Held Successfully

From October to December 2024, the School of Humanities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Warwick successfully co-hosted the third online cross-cultural exchange program. This eight-week program involved master students majoring in international Chinese language education at SJTU and Chinese language learners at the University of Warwick.

The program was coordinated by Associate Prof. Guo Zhiyan, and Zheng Zhong from the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Warwick, along with Associate Prof. Tan Xuhu from the International Chinese Language Education Center of the School of Humanities at SJTU.

The aim of this program was to enhance the cross-cultural understanding, empathy, and communication skills of students from both universities. Other transferable skills such as language proficiency, digital literacy, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork were also expected to be cultivated.

In early December, the program culminated in an online final project presentation. Students from both universities presented lively bilingual projects on diverse themes, including food culture, campus life, daily routines, customs and traditional festivals. The final projects not only demonstrated the students’ meticulous exploration of cultural differences but also showcased their enthusiasm and understanding of their respective languages and cultures.

Students from both universities expressed that they had benefited greatly from this online cross-cultural exchange program, and looked forward to participating in more language and cultural exchange activities in the future. The University of Warwick expressed the hope to expand this program into a long-term cross-cultural collaboration combining both online and offline events.

Written and Photo by Tan Xuhu

Edited by Zhang Yihan