*In this photo:* A group of DSU students pose for a photo upon their arrival at Yangzhou University, China. The students were in the Far East country for a cultural immersion experience from Dec. 15-30.

On Campus

Group of DSU spend Christmas break in China

Friday, January 10, 2025

By Sheila Vo, graduating DSU senior and History major,

Fourteen DSU students spent their Christmas break in China immersing themselves in the culture of that Far East country.

For the students – Jinelys Alvarez, D’jibril Barry, Xylon Holmes, Nimah Narinesingh-Smith, Sandra Nasim, Brandon Poplar, Alexis Powell, Nya Stokes, Aisha Thomas, Clayten Thomas, Sheila Vo, Ina Walker, Jason Williams, and EdD graduate student Weiyuan (David) Yu – the Dec. 15-30 trip to Yangzhou, China broadened their global perspectives on rich culinary traditions, breathtaking landscapes, and linguistics.

That included connecting to the ancient past by exploring the 2,500-year history of the Grand Canal of China. Clayten Thomas, a DSU senior Pre-Law major, examines an exhibit at the Grand Canal Museum in China.

Yangzhou University warmly welcomed the DSU delegation, which also included Dr. Yi Zhang, DSU’s Director of the Chinese Language and Culture Research Center, with generous tours to the Museum of Yangzhou University History, the School of Tourism and Culinary Science, and the College of International Studies.

Students fostered meaningful cultural exchange and dialogue by engaging in conferences with the World Historic and Cultural Canal Cities Cooperation Organization (WCCO), Yangzhou University’s Administrative Board, and Yangzhou University undergraduate students majoring in English. Lectures on Chinese characters and Beijing Opera deepened the students’ understanding of the nation’s artistic and linguistic cultural legacy.

With visits to Slender West Lake, one of the historical gardens from the Qing Dynasty, DSU students were exposed to Yangzhou’s architectural and horticultural history. Museums such as the Art of Block Printing, the Grand Canal River Museum, the Cuisine of Yangzhou, and the Mausoleum of an Emperor unveiled China’s global significance in literature, hydraulic engineering, and Asian cuisine. Students participated in several craftsmanship workshops to take home Chinese traditions, such as a framed copper engraved lion head door knocker that symbolized the residence of a high-ranking person during ancient Chinese architecture. The visiting DSU students show their copper engraved lion head door knocker they craft in a Chinese workshop.

“As a student interested in International business, I believe the deepening of knowledge outside of United States culture will help the leadership of future enterprises,” said Aisha Thomas, a sophomore Hospitality and Tourism Management Major.

“I am so grateful to have experienced a portion of China’s beautiful and rich culture. This opportunity has allowed me to “Find China in Yangzhou!” said Nya Stokes, a sophomore Financial Planning and Wealth Management Major.

“I wanted to gauge how Chinese culture contrasts with the United States. Visiting China will help me navigate a career working with international law after going to law school,” said Alexis Powell, a senior Criminal Justice Major.