Students from Qingyuan High School and Rudolf-Steiner Gymnasium talk with each other. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Qingyuan High School in Lishui, Zhejiang province, recently played host to a group of visitors from afar, igniting excitement and fostering cross-cultural connections.

"I have a great fondness for China, and the people here are incredibly friendly. I'm eager to make new friends, have new experiences, immerse myself in traditional Chinese culture, and broaden my horizons during my time here," said Manderla Jocelyn, a student from Rudolf-Steiner Gymnasium in Germany. She said she was eagerly anticipating the upcoming cultural exchange in Qingyuan.

Qingyuan High School and Rudolf-Steiner Gymnasium established ties as sister schools in April 2018 and have been nurturing their partnership through various exchange programs. From April 2 to 9, over 20 German students engaged in an enriching eight-day cultural and educational exchange, each paired with a student from Qingyuan.

The exchange program curated a diverse menu of experiences, combining classroom learning with hands-on activities like calligraphy and pottery. Additionally, a family experience day allowed German students to immerse themselves in the daily lives of their Chinese counterparts.

"Having a foreign classmate brings a fresh perspective and opens up new learning opportunities," said Liao Ziyao, Manderla Jocelyn's Qingyuan partner.