Our college successfully held the opening ceremony for the 2025 Spring Semester international students
On the morning of March 8th, the opening ceremony for the 2025 spring cohort of international students was held in Room 102 of Houde Building. Over 30 new students from 14 countries, including Russia, Italy, France, South Korea, Vietnam, Mexico, Yemen, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, India, Morocco, and Libya, attended the ceremony.
The event was presided over by Chen Liqiang, Executive Dean of the college. Also in attendance were Vice President Chai Gaiying, Party Branch Secretary Sheng Ling of the college, as well as representatives from relevant administrative departments and secondary colleges.
The ceremony commenced with a speech by Chai Gaiying, who warmly welcomed the international students to the Zhejiang International Studies University (ZISU) family as new "ZISUers."
In her address, she cited the Chinese proverb, “Reading ten thousand books is not as enlightening as traveling ten thousand miles,” encouraging students to actively participate in the university’s diverse extracurricular activities designed to explore Zhejiang’s beauty. These include field trips to other cities, research visits to renowned enterprises, and cultural heritage experiences—all aimed at helping them discover a comprehensive, authentic, and multidimensional China to share with family and friends back home.
She further emphasized the value of shared joy over solitary enjoyment (“Happiness is doubled when shared”), urging students to engage in active exchange. Such interactions, she noted, not only stimulate critical thinking and broaden horizons but also deepen friendships. The university organizes activities like “Heshang Face-to-Face,” “Chinese Corner,” and “Movie Nights” to provide platforms for meaningful connections, and she encouraged students to seize these opportunities to expand their social circles.
Diana, an exchange student from Moscow State Linguistic University in Russia, spoke as a representative of current international students. She shared her experience of learning Chinese at ZISU, expressing her deep affection for Chinese culture. She also conveyed gratitude to China and Zhejiang International Studies University for their consistent efforts in providing international students with opportunities to learn Chinese and platforms to showcase their talents. In conclusion, she encouraged new students to actively engage in communication with locals and extended her heartfelt wishes to all the newcomers.
The ceremony also featured the "Heshan Aspiration" activity, where international students, filled with boundless hope for the future, penned down their youthful dreams.
As the event drew to a close, university leaders presented appointment letters to the newly assigned international student mentors. Faculty representatives then welcomed the freshmen with special university gifts and extended creative blessings for their academic journey at Zhejiang International Studies University. The opening ceremony concluded on a joyous note, with a group photo capturing the smiling faces of all faculty and students, marking a perfect end to the celebration.
