A delegation comprising 23 students and faculty from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) visited Beijing International Studies University (BISU) for an educational exchange program on May 15.

Penn delegation and BISU leaders pose for a group photo.

BISU President Ji Jinbiao welcomed the visitors, emphasizing the growing importance of cultural exchanges between China and the United States and highlighting the role of youth exchanges as a dynamic component of Sino-American relations.

Acknowledging Penn's renowned expertise in East Asian language and culture studies, Ji encouraged American students to deepen their understanding of China during their visit and become ambassadors of Sino-American friendship.

He also expressed hope for further collaboration between the two universities in areas such as Chinese language teaching, regional studies, and cultural tourism management.

Representatives from Penn, including Yasmina Pierre, as well as Professors Tian Ye and Hu Jing, expressed gratitude for BISU's support.

They noted that bringing students to China is a crucial aspect of their Chinese language program. They expressed hope that the visit could provide American students with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary China through its scenic beauty, traditional cuisine, and firsthand experiences of its modernization and interactions with Chinese students.

Eliz Stepanyan, a BISU international student, shared her journey from learning Chinese in Armenia to studying in China.

She recounted her cultural experiences across the country and her involvement in events such as those organized by CCTV and the Beijing International Film Festival. She expressed admiration for China's economic development, technological advancements, and quality of life, and voiced her commitment to fostering international friendship.

BISU and Penn students greet each other and engage in exchanges.

Penn students Anya Capoor and Hudson Stovall reflected on their experiences studying Chinese language and culture.

They emphasized that learning a language is a gateway to understanding a culture and expressed their desire to see both the China they learned about in classrooms and the one beyond textbooks. They also shared their hopes for increased mutual understanding and cooperation between the peoples of both nations, contributing to the vision of a shared future for humanity.

During their stay, the delegation also visited cultural heritage sites in Beijing and conducted research visits to Chinese high-tech enterprises.