At 6 p.m., December 4th, 2015, College of International Education worked with Jilin Province Youth Development Foundation and China Daily to jointly hold the Christmas lighting ceremony, which was also the fourth International Cultural Salon between Chinese and international students in Jilin University. The Chinese and international students of Jilin University and representatives of children from the primary school of Yitong County took part in the lighting ceremony and presented fabulous performances.
On the day, children from Changchun Columbia English Kindergarten, like little angles, sang church music and opened the activity with their beautiful voice. The ethnic dancing and singing performed by the international students of Jilin University became the greatest highlight of this event, lifting up the mysterious veil of the lighting ceremony. Students of the primary school of Yitong County performed Kuaiban, a form of oral storytelling, praying that their Christmas wishes could come true in their own way. Diarra Ibrahima, a Mali student from the School of International and Public Affairs, and Iatcyna Valentina, a Russian student from the Economics School, were interviewed during the event. Speaking in Chinese, they earnestly and sincerely promised to make their own contribution to charity and help the children of the primary school to realize their dreams.
The Christmas lighting ceremony was the fourth International Cultural Salon of Chinese and international students of Jilin University. It opened this Christmas season and conveyed love that transcended national borders. Chinese and international students prayed for happiness, and at the same time sincerely hoped that others could join them in conveying kindness to make the cold winter warmer. To that end, College of International Education, Jilin Province Youth Development Foundation and China Daily together initiated the teaching program of international students, via which outstanding international students of Jilin University would teach in the primary school of Yitong County. China Daily will also give books throughout the year to the primary school students as well as representatives of Chinese and international students in Jilin University to improve their English proficiency.
The International Cultural Salon was initiated this semester and will regularly hold themed activities with the participation of Chinese and international students of Jilin University, such as the International Cultural Festival, themed forums on international culture, week of national culture, symposium on hotspot international issues, foreign language corners, creative campus and experience sharing on students’ experience overseas. It will strengthen the exchanges between Chinese and international students, expand the global horizon of the vast number of students on campus and enhance the international competitiveness of Jilin University’s students.
