"We were all very impressed by the skill of the teacher when we saw the professional guqin performance," said Gabriela Mourato Ramos.

Western instruments like the piano and violin are suited for playing dynamic or cheerful tunes, while the guqin is more adept at conveying soothing or solemn pieces, she added.

The project offers a series of cultural courses, integrating language learning with Chinese mythology and folklore, classical poetry, as well as contemporary economic and technological topics. This approach provides students with a comprehensive understanding of China's rich traditional culture and modern societal development, Zheng added.

"I enjoyed these courses, especially those on philosophy. For example, Confucian culture emphasizes core values such as benevolence, propriety, loyalty, and filial piety, and stresses harmonious relationships and social responsibility," said Apolo Filipe de Ramos Estrela. "These philosophies helped me better understand the Chinese people's mindset".