The program of pairing international students with Chinese host families, since being started by College of International Education in November, 2016, has welcomed the participation of 85 families of Chinese and foreign faculty members of Jilin University and 92 international students. On December 4th, the pairing of the two sides took place in Friendship Guesthouse. The international students and host families made some initial interactions with and had some understanding of each other, after which 65 pairs were formed. After the pairing, the international students visited and engaged with their host families. The students were able to learn about the Chinese culture, and they also genuinely felt the warmth of home on this foreign land.
Rojpibulstit Pimpaka (Chinese name: Xiao Guilan), a class 2016 graduate sponsored by Confucius Institute Scholarship, wrote down the moments that she shared with her host family and her inner feelings. Her writing, proof of her improvement in Chinese writing, also revealed that her host family was like home to her.
家的味道
Taste of Home
——记我的Host Family
—About my host family
“T1057”看起来是一个很普通的编号，可是对我来说却是一条连接我和中国家庭的纽带，是一个让我了解中国的宝贵机会。
“T1057” may seem to be a simple serial number. However, it is a bond between my host family and me as well as a precious opportunity for me to understand China.
我叫萧桂兰，是一名吉林大学孔子学院奖学金留学生。从泰国来到长春已有三个月。学校举办的很多活动目的是提高我们留学生汉语水平，提供我们与中国人交流的平台。我最喜欢的就是今年12月学校举办的“吉林大学国际学生与中国家庭对接会”活动。这个活动不仅让我们了解了中国的家庭情况，更让我们感受到如亲人般的中国家庭温暖。活动那天，我幸运地抽到了张洪洲叔叔的号码，与他一家人度过了美好难忘的晚上。
My name is Xiao Guilan. I am an overseas student sponsored by Confucius Institute Scholarship in Jilin University. It has been three months since I came to Changchun from Thailand. The university carried out many activities. The purpose is to improve the Chinese proficiency of us international students by providing a platform of communication with Chinese people. My favorite is the pairing between Chinese host families and us in December this year. It allows us to know something about Chinese families that are kind to us like family members. On the pairing day, I luckily drew the number of Uncle Zhang Hongzhou. I had a wonderful and unforgettable night with his family.
张洪洲叔叔是一位已退休的吉林大学地质学教授。他带我去参观了很多地方，比如说吉林大学地质宫博物馆、地球科学学院等等。接触中，张叔叔不停地给我讲解各种科学知识和中国的风土人情，让我受益匪浅，他对我无微不至的照顾更是让我感受到了父亲般的关爱。
Uncle Zhang Hongzhou is a retired geology professor of Jilin University. He took me to visit many places, such as Jilin University Geological Museum and College of Earth Sciences. During the process, Uncle Zhang told me all kinds of things about science and China’s customs, which were very helpful to me. His meticulous care reminds me of my father.
以前我一直认为包子是一种简易食品，可当我跟张叔叔家人一起包包子，一起聊天时才明白， 包子也有家的味道。
I used to think that steamed buns were just some simple food. However, when Uncle Zhang’s family member and I made steamed buns while chatting, I realized that they could have the taste of home.
张叔叔一家对我像家人一样，在离开家的日子里让我吃到了“妈妈”做的饭，听到了“爸爸”的关心和教导。感谢吉大在我们课余生活中创造感知中国文化和家庭的机会。在我心中，中文不仅是一种语言和符号，更是一座情感交流的桥梁。
Uncle Zhang’s family treats me like a family member. Away from home, I could eat food prepared with motherly love, and receive fatherly care and listen to fatherly guidance. I am thankful to Jilin University for providing us with the chance to learn about Chinese culture and Chinese families. In my heart, the Chinese language is not only a language and set of symbols but also a bridge of communication.
国际教育学院搭建的国际学生与中国家庭交流平台是一次全新的尝试，更是一场成功的盛宴。以此为开端，国际教育学院将继续前行，创造更多更好的机会让国际学生感知中国文化魅力，感受异国家庭温暖。
The platform of communication between international students and Chinese host families built by College of International Education is a brand new initiative, but it is a huge success. On the basis of this starting point, College of International Education will continue to move forward, creating more and better opportunities for Chinese students to experience the charm of Chinese culture and the kindliness of Chinese families.
