With students from over 50 countries and regions, Huaqiao University encourages students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and international students to display their home culture, while maintaining the dominant position of traditional Chinese culture. Over years, the integration of different cultures helps to build a unique campus culture of diversity with harmony.
I. Cultural Studies and Field Trips
1.1 China Culture Tours
The university organizes Roots in China Winter/Summer Camps for overseas Chinese students each year. Annually, an average of nearly 2,000 people participate in the China Culture Tours or relevant field work and activities, through which, the overseas Chinese students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other regions and countries learn about Chinese culture and history, and the achievements of China's social development as well. The exposure to excellent Chinese traditional culture leads to an understanding and acceptance of the cultural differences among students from different regions and countries, thus improving coordination, integration and communication among young students from home and abroad.
China Culture Tours
1.2 Culture Visits to Celebrities' Hometowns
The university organizes an annual tour to the hometowns of Confucius, Zhu Xi and other celebrities for students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other countries and regions. Focused on cultural experience, learning and study, these activities acquaint overseas Chinese students and international students with the cultural spirit of Chinese celebrities.
Culture Trips to Celebrities’ Hometowns
1.3 Cultural Delegation of Maritime Silk Road
The university organizes field trips on the theme of Experiencing the Maritime Silk Road for students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other countries and regions. Through trips to Ningbo, Guangzhou, Quanzhou and some other related places, students are able to learn about the history of the ancient Maritime Silk Road.
1.4 Tours around China
Every year, Xiamen Overseas Friendship Association organizes field trips for Hong Kong and Macao students from Xiamen University, Jimei University and Huaqiao University. On Tours around China, students are to visit the Chinese Mainland, such as Jiangnan, south of the lower reaches of Yangtze River, and Jinggangshan, a sacred place of the Chinese revolution.
Tours around China
1.5 Tours around Quanzhou
In September and October, related departments of the Quanzhou Municipal Government and HQU jointly organize all international students on Tours around Quanzhou. These trips to counties and cities in Quanzhou enable the students to learn about its economic and social development as well as long history and rich culture.
1.6 Searching for Intangible Cultural Heritages
The university organizes students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other countries and regions to search for intangible cultural heritages around Quanzhou or Xiamen, through which, together with follow-up volunteer services, students are led to value, protect and even inherit them.
II. Unique Campus Cultural Events
Relying on student associations, every year at grand Chinese or foreign festivals and celebrations, the university hosts cultural events, including the Taiwan Students’ Mid-Autumn Festival Evening Party, National Day Fete, Hong Kong Culture Expo, Macao Culture Week, Taiwan Culture Expo, International Students’ Food Fair, Southeast Asian Water Festival, Thai Loy Krathong Festival and Indonesian Night Fair.
2.1 Taiwan Students' Mid-Autumn Evening Party
As the bright moon shines over the sea, from far away you share this moment with me. At Mid-Autumn Festival, Taiwan students at HQU hold a Mid-Autumn Evening Party, where they taste tea, eat grapefruits, play the local game of moon-cake gambling and watch performances. The party consoles Taiwan students’ homesickness while expressing their sense of belonging to excellent Chinese traditional culture. In 2014, Legendary Chinese Festival: Mid-Autumn Festival, a special program produced by CCTV-4, selected Huaqiao University as the first link of its live broadcasts.
Taiwan Students' Mid-Autumn Evening Party
2.2 Hong Kong Culture Expo
In June and July, the Hong Kong Students' Union holds a series of activities celebrating the return of Hong Kong to the Motherland. The Hong Kong Culture Expo is one of the highlights in the event, featuring the art performance, the Wuyue Tian Cantonese Singing Contest, the Image Idol Competition, the Essay Competition and so on. "Hong Kong students have brilliantly reconstructed the Hong Kong City on the HQU campus. It is really amazing." Ms. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration said, as she attended the Hong Kong Culture Expo in 2015.
Ms. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration, attended Hong Kong Culture Expo
2.3 Macao Culture Week
In November and December, the Macao Students' Union celebrates the return of Macao to the motherland and holds a series of activities. The Macao Culture Week features cultural photo exhibition, evening party, and alumni sharing session. The Week has become a stage for Macao students to display their talents. It has also served as a platform for connection between alumni and their beloved school.
Macao Culture Week
2.4 Southeast Asian Water Festival
In April, students from Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries celebrate their traditional new year and the annual Water Festival on campus with teachers and students from home and abroad. Over the years, the Southeast Asian Water Festival has become a spectacular sight at the university, attracting not only international students, but a large number of teachers and students from China.
Southeast Asian Water Festival
2.5 Thai Loy Krathong Festival
In November, students from home and abroad light up their hand-made krathongs, make a wish, and launch them on the river. During the festival, the university holds a special event to select Miss Krathong.
2.6 Indonesian Night Fair
Covering Indonesia’s politics, economy, history, culture, religion, food, folk customs, music, dance, etc., the night fair displays the unique charm of Indonesia and incorporates multicultural elements. It is full of exotic flavor.
2.7 Exposition of Cultures of Countries along the Maritime Silk Road
The international students of HQU mainly come from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and more than 50 countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, North Korea, Cambodia and so on. Among them, 80% are from countries and regions along the Maritime Silk Road. With the distinct cultures of these countries featuring the main exhibit, the expo shows the achievements of educating and training students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and other international students over the years, and highlights the unique culture of HQU as a university for the overseas Chinese as well.
Exposition of Cultures of Countries along the Maritime Silk Road
2.8 Dean's Talks
The deans of schools and colleges of HQU are invited to be guest speakers of talks, salons, seminars, etc., and give guidance to students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and other international students on planning their university life, expanding their learning vision, and improving their overall quality.
Dean's Talks
2.9 Gather Together like a Song: an exchange activity for students from home and abroad
Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and organized by the School of Economics and Finance, this brand activity takes the forms of team development, culture study, field trip and performance. Students from home and abroad participate jointly, promoting the harmony among them.
Chorus of Students from Home and Abroad
2.10 Voluntary Teaching at Overseas Chinese Schools
During the winter and summer vacations, the university organizes international students to return to their residences and provides voluntary teaching to local Chinese schools. Students from Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and other countries and students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan form teams and take up voluntary teaching. As they spread Chinese culture, they are also promoting the publicity for HQU. It has enjoyed certain fame among overseas Chinese schools and local high schools.
Voluntary Teaching at Chinese School of Thailand
2.11 Chinese and Foreign Food Fair
Jointly planned and organized by students from home and abroad, the food fair includes restaurant food display, catering culture display, team culinary arts competition, and featured art evening. With food as the medium, it promotes the communication among students from home and abroad and the integration of different cultures.
Chinese and Foreign Food Fair
2.12 Approaching Chinese Families
It is a brand event hosted by the Division of Student Affairs and organized by the Business School for students from both home and abroad. International students are arranged to live with host families from the mainland to learn about the daily life of Chinese families, and promote mutual understanding.
Approaching Chinese Families
2.13 Chinese Character Culture Contest and Chinese Language Proficiency Contest
Chinese Characters as a Bridge and Culture as a Medium, the Chinese Character Culture Contest is an educational culture competition. Students from home and abroad answer questions and solve puzzles concerning interesting cultural knowledge in joint teams. The Chinese Language Proficiency Contest for international students aims to promote their learning and speaking of the Chinese language and their understanding of the Chinese culture.
Chinese Character Culture Contest
Chinese Language Proficiency Contest