American Youth Participate in "First Lesson of the School Year" in China and Experience Cultural Exchange

Recently, more than a dozen incoming freshmen from the University of Tulsa in the United States took part in a nearly twoweek summer camp in China in Beijing and Chengdu, organized by China University of Petroleum (Beijing). The campers studied topics such as history and culture, energy transition, carbon neutrality, and artificial intelligence, and visited places including the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Sanxingdui Museum, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, and the Xiaomi automobile factory, completing a "first lesson of the new semester" that combined classroom learning with onsite experience. Many young Americans said that this trip to China refreshed their previous impression of China and also made them feel the friendliness, mutual help, and appreciation for cultural history among local residents. They believed that facetoface communication is more helpful than online information in understanding different societies and ways of life. The group leader said that the significance of this trip lies not only in deepening understanding of China, but also in helping young people from both countries build friendships, discover common ground, and develop a global perspective. She noted that the students supporting one another on the Great Wall became a vivid portrayal of crosscultural exchange.