US College Students in Qingdao Series Report
US college students to approach Laoshan history and culture

“This tree in front of the palace has a beautiful namecalled Jiang Xue, it has a very romantic love story in Chinese novels…” US student Felipe Guell Bernardi was in live broadcast with his mobile phone to his followers while visiting Taiqing Palace in Laoshan on the morning of 23rd June.

Qingdao Daily multi-media platform organized Sino-US cultural exchange team to visit Laoshan to approach history, culture and folk culture of Laoshan jointly with Qingdao Municipal Information Office and Laoshan district propaganda department. 13 Chinese major US college students from South Florida University (SFU) visited Taiqing Palace, they made Wangge village big steam bun by handand visited tea parks to pick tealeaves in tea gardens to approach Laoshan culture and Qingdao charm.

”Before I came to Qingdao I thought all Chinese cities are the same, but now I find Qingdao is a so beautiful place. I wish I could live here.” Communications major Nadia Morgan came to Qingdao for the 1st time, beautiful Qingdao view and nice Qingdao people impressed her.

During their visit to Taiqing Palace, dragon fist master Kuang Ruhu showed a set of Chinese Tai Chi for US college students, stirred applause among them. International relations major student Nia Knighton said: “I have seen Kungfu Panda before, this is the 1st time I see Tai Chi. There is a Chinese old saying Xingyunliushui, I didn’t quiet understand when teacher taught me, now I understand. Tai Chi is so gentle, but smooth, just liking flowing white cloud and water. Teacher told me that Chinese people like harmony, I can feel it in Tai Chi.”

Handsome Felipe is a social media master in his college. He, who comes from Brazil, has thousands of Instagram followers. He uses video clip to record his life in China after he came to China.

“Do not take it as a model. This is eatable Chinese steam bun, which is made in a special way. You should put prepared flour into this model named Kehua, soon we can make all types of steam bun.” Felipe’s video ishumorous. He said the follower of his personal Ins page increased sharply after he live broadcasted his China trip, now there is thousands of followers watch his live video.

Although just learnt Chinese for 2 years, Finance major John Klumpp acts like a China Hand. He does not only speak fluent Chinese, but also has keen interest in Chinese tea culture.

“As a finance major student, I wish I can do Sino-US trade work in Qingdao through my efforts. I love the city so much.” Klumpp said.

“I hope to increase the opportunity of cultural exchange to boost mutual understanding between China and US. I also hope to let US studentsexperience beautiful China, and bring beauty of Qingdao and China back to their countries with their own voice.” SFU Chinese major professor Sheppard said, she hopes in the future more exchangewill happen. (Ren Xiaomeng)
[Photo I: Tai Chi master taught US college students fist
Photo II: US students made steam bun with Kehua for the 1st time] By Ren Xiaomeng