Joyful connections

Rinva Gjeka, an 18-year-old Albanian student, was captivated by the lively atmosphere of the waist drum and yangko dances.

"What impressed me most were the bright smiles of the local people — you could feel their joy and pride in their culture," she said. "It wasn't about the dance techniques; it was about the vibe. We were all dancing and smiling at each other, and in that moment, it didn't feel like we were from different cities or countries — we were just like the locals."

Chen Leyi, 20, a fellow CUC student, had a similar experience with paper-cutting. During a workshop, she was surprised to see many of her international friends excel at the craft, even outperforming the Chinese students, who were also trying it for the first time.

"Traditional arts have no boundaries. They're a wonderful way to share beauty," she said.

Rio Ohori, a 20-year-old Japanese student, was amazed to learn that many skilled paper-cutting artists are local farmers.

"People may not typically associate farmers with art," she said. "But when you see the intricate and delicate designs, you can't help but admire their unique artistic sensitivity."

The trip not only gave students the chance to experience Yan'an's rich culture firsthand but also helped foster meaningful friendships within the group.

Lee Che-young, a 27-year-old South Korean student at CUC, recalled a heartwarming moment on the bus when a Chinese student performed an English song, followed by a US student singing a popular Chinese song. Even the bus driver joined in by playing a Shaanxi folk song over the speakers.

Lee also pointed out that the students on the trip came from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including journalism, directing, language, and broadcasting. "I learned so much from everyone," she said. "It made me appreciate the value of cultural exchange. As a broadcasting major, I hope to use objective reporting to build bridges and reduce misunderstandings and biases."

"This trip not only deepened students' understanding of Chinese culture but also provided them with hands-on opportunities to develop their professional skills," said Cong Fangjun, a CUC teacher and the trip's group leader.

Cong explained that during the trip, students filmed vlogs in multiple languages, sharing a total of 225 original short videos on international platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube, along with 110 videos on Chinese platforms.

For Jiang, returning to Yan'an was an eye-opening experience, as this time, he was walking in the footsteps of Snow, accompanied by young people from around the world.

"Yan'an is no longer the war-torn small town of decades past. It has come alive with vibrant energy in the new era," he said. "With our diverse perspectives and modern media, my international friends and I are telling our own stories of this city."

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