With the aim of fostering cultural exchange and mutual learning between students from China and France, as well as offering Tsinghua students a platform to delve into French culture, the "French Night" cultural salon was recently held at the Dongfeng Motor Hall of the Career Development Center. The event drew the participation of over 40 students from diverse backgrounds, representing more than 30 departments and various countries.
For this event, four specially invited guest students from France took the stage and shared their expertise on different facets, covering French history, landmarks, traditional festive culture, and insights into the Brittany region, which provided the audience with a profound understanding of the rich cultural heritage of France.
Following the sharing session, a lively French market unfolded on the scene. Each guest set up their own "booths”, featuring a diverse array of activities and items such as French-themed Q&A sessions, maps, and souvenirs. This setup provided an opportunity for free-flowing interactions among participants. Participants actively engaged, immersed themselves in the market ambiance, and interacted with guests, thoroughly experiencing the distinctive charm of French culture.
The participants were brimming with enthusiasm. Zhang Wenjun, a master's student from the Schwarzman College, shared, “The guest shared with us the night market culture in France, which allowed me to immerse myself in the winter atmosphere of France.” Tang Yiying, a master's student from the School of Law, expressed, “I learned more about French history and status quo, and it gave me the opportunity to chat with students with different backgrounds, making friends beyond borders.”
As an organizer of the event, Hu Xinqi, from Tsinghua University Student Association for Global Governance and International Organizations, remarked, “Seeing Chinese students engage in deep conversations with French students, I feel the boundless possibilities of cross-cultural communication. It strengthens my determination to continue promoting diverse cultures.” Katherin Thouvenin, president of the Chinese-French Student Association, said, “I was thrilled for having the opportunity to share my own country. I hope that such events will allow Tsinghua students to maintain their curiosity and promote exchanges between Chinese and international students.”
This event was organized by the Tsinghua University Student Association for Global Governance and International Organizations (THUIO) and Association Franco-Chinoise (Chinese-French Association). It is part of the IO Language Corner series, which invites guests with overseas work or study experience and proficiency in multiple languages to share experiences in cross-cultural communication, language learning, and communication skills. The aim is to deepen the understanding of international affairs and cross-cultural communication among students.
Editor: Li Han