(Correspondent Sun Wei Wang Zhaohua; Translator Li Yueqing) Above 50 international students of College of Chinese Language and Culture from more than ten countries went to Huo Yuanjia Culture and Martial Art School in Tianjin and carried out cultural experience activities on the morning of November 23rd to appreciate traditional Chinese culture.
As a major symbol of Chinese culture, Chinese Kungfu has always been popular with international students. CCLC and Huo Yuanjia School thus jointly organize a series of activities entitled “Chinese Kungfu Experience Class” every semester, which provides international students with access to Chinese martial arts culture and enhances the cultural exchanges between Chinese and foreign students.
The first thing in sight after passing the gates which read “the only one in the world of mummies and warriors” is the writing of “spirit of martial arts” by Mr. Sun Yat-sen. At the center of the square is a statue of Huo Yuanjia, the grandmaster of martial arts. The commentator made a specific explanation on the spirit of “Jing Wu” to us. Due to the limited level of Chinese, our students could not fully grasp what the spirit of “Jing Wu” is, but they all listened attentively and asked the teacher questions positively.
Our students then visited the school's training hall where students in Huo Yuanjia School were having class.Our students were also eager to try Chinese Kongfu in person. Therefore, the staff there arranged a friendly match between the two groups of students and they compared notes after that. In the wrestling hall, Korean student LEE JEONGJUNE took part in the wrestling training and enjoyed its charm with the guidance of a national coach. He said,“It’s really a great challenge to maneuver my body correctly although I’ve tried hard.” In the Kungfu hall, Portuguese student CARVALHO MACHADO ANTóNIO CARLOS treasured this opportunity to learn Chinese Kungfu. He mentioned that he was too excited to sleep well last night for he has been a big fan of Chinese Kungfu for a long time. Our female students also learned earnestly and put on more standard postures than many of their male counterparts though they are of smaller build.
At the end of the visit, students of Huo Yuanjia School presented a wonderful martial arts training show for us. They performed various movements of different genres and showed the charm of Chinese martial arts accompanied by music and applause from our students. After that, the teachers and students of Huo Yuanjia School and our students held fist salute to say goodbye. The international students said that it’s a precious opportunity to have such a close experience of Chinese martial arts. Through this, they both learned more about Chinese Kungfu and appreciated the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people.
CCLC attaches great importance to the curriculum construction of international students cultural experience. Over recent years, the college has set up more than ten cultural experience bases for international students, and built a wide range of platforms for them to have a better understanding of Chinese society and culture.
Huo Yuanjia Culture and Martial Art School is one of the first cooperative institutions with us to build the “Practice Base for International Students of the college of Chinese Language and Culture of Nankai University”. Thanks to its distinct cultural characteristics and atmosphere, it is widely welcomed by our international students. The “Chinese Martial Art Experience Class” co-organized by the two sides receives good educational and social benefits every semester .
