How was your holiday?
18 students went on a CIM summer camp to Shanghai, Dalian and Beijing during this summer. We are all very curious and excited to know what they did and how they have experienced. Here are some experiences from students and their thoughts about our summer camp:
“For me, this CIM Summer Camp made my first time in China an unforgettable one. I’ve learned and seen so much more than I could’ve imagined and ever learned in my textbooks. I had the best time with amazing people while experiencing the wonderful Chinese culture.” By Shirley Verbruggen
“My experience about the summer camp, it was a really busy week but it was totally worth it. We got to experience many different places such as the forbidden city, Chinese wall, great museum’s and the sea in Dalian. I am so grateful to experience the summer camp . If I could I would do it again. “ By Puck ten Bokum
“It was a wonderful journey, I enjoyed every second of it! It was well organized and we were able to see all the highlights of the cities. I got to know a lot of lovely people and had a great time with the group and the supervisors during the activities/class and especially in my spare time. It was a trip to never forget!” By Jenna de Jong
Relaxing in beautiful Shanghai
The adventure started in Shanghai. The first day was a day for the students to rest and get acclimated to the hot weather and time zones of their new destination. Our students quickly caught up with what the Chinese people would do during hot weather. For example, using sun umbrellas and carrying portable mini fans with them, they got the trend there right away. The new environment can sometimes be very overwhelming, taking the time to rest and take the day at their own pace is very important. The following day in Shanghai was filled with nature, history, cultural and beautiful scenery. Shanghai is a mega city with metro lines that students were able to find themselves through the city. Of course, they cannot miss out on the bubble tea in Shanghai! Taking a moment in Yu garden, feeling zen in the Chinese garden. Walking along the Huang Pu River, taking photos on at the Bund, a unrealistic and realistic feeling surrounds them, a city with the past, the present and the future.
The official opening in Dalian
After visiting the international mega city of Shanghai,, our students took a flight to Dalian, where the language education programme of the summer camp took place. In Dalian, our students took Chinese classes at Dongbei University of Finance and Economics (DUFE) and visited many cultural and business sites ; for example, the Traditional Chinese Art Museum, the Martial Arts Museum, and Dalian Software Park, where students get to know the development of China’s high-tech enterprises today
Besides visiting these places, our students also received many interactive workshops, such as tea art workshop, paper cutting class, calligraphy workshop and a Taiji class!
Cultural visits in bustling Beijing
After spending a week in Dalian, it was time to wrap up the summer camp with a new bustling destination: Beijing. Here, our students visited many famous cultural and UNESCO sites, such as the Great Wall, Tian’an men Square, the Palace Museum (Forbidden City), Summer Palace and the National Stadium. Our students were also very excited about the shopping at Silk Market, a prosperous shopping mall with over 1000 shops. Where, they can get something to take on the plane, bringing their memory back to the Netherlands from their journey in China!
Conclusion
The photos and videos captured during the summer camp are the treasured memories of their adventure. The images serve as reminders of their growth and the transformative power of stepping out of their comfort zones. It is not easy to learn a new language, especially a language that does not have any resemblance to their native tongue. During the summer camp, we see our students practicing their Chinese language with the locals, we see them being curious about intercultural communication, we see the confidence that they have gained and so on. Not only have they improved their Chinese language skills and experienced the Chinese culture in China itself, but they have also learned a lot about themselves.
Does this sound interesting to you or are you looking for a way to further develop yourself and your Chinese language and skills? Stay tuned and join our summer camp 2024. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram and Facebook so you don’t miss out on the next registration for summer camp 2024!