Exchange program brings foreigners to China
Print Edition
FOUR foreign young women stand in two rows and follow instructions faithfully — legs to the side shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. These are the basic requirements of the horse stance.
Master Wang, the coach, guides them through the meaning of internal martial arts, breathing techniques and some standing poses. Though it looks simple and gentle, the power and intensity of the movements soon has the four beginners exhausted on the floor.
The course at a martial arts museum in Yangpu District is one of many activities participants tried during the most recent AIESEC SJTU I-Shanghai project which ends this weekend. Five students from Germany, India, Canada and Singapore participated this year.
Founded in 1948, AIESEC is an international non-profit organization and largest student-run organization (over 90,000 members) in the world. It offers international exchange programs that give opportunities to students and recent graduates to live and intern in another country.
Mei Jianying, 23, a former AIESEC member witnessed the horid living conditions of Indian slums.
“I taught English to children in the slums for a month. It was a severe test for me both mentally and physically,” she recalls.
During her time in India, she says she shared a small room with six peers and the food wasn’t good.
“When I actually saw the children and their life in the slums, it felt like my life was paradise.”
Mei joined AISEC in 2010 while studying at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Two years later she established the SJTU I-Shanghai project.
“I came up with this idea because I don’t think Shanghai culture is very well respected,” Mei tells Shanghai Daily.
She then started planning a series of Shanghai folk arts and cultural activities for international students to experience.
“Haipai (Shanghai style) culture is closer to international students since it’s close to Western culture. Gradually, I hope the participants will become more interested in the art and culture of China,” Mei says.
It has been tough getting the program off the ground as many arts and culture institutions balked at giving free lectures and tours to foreign students, thus they had to pay for some events. But after two years and much hard work all activities are now free, Mei says.
The five participants arrived in April and May. They lived together in a suburban district and did almost everything together.
During the monthlong stay, they had ink-wash painting and Gu embroidery lessons. They also experienced a traditional tea ceremony, spoke with locals and went karaoke singing. They toured the cities major attractions, explored some narrow lanes and streets in residential areas and went to Hangzhou, capital city of Zhejiang Province.
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