Int'l students explore cultural charm of Jiujiang

JIUGJIANG, 8 August: Two international students from Jiujiang University immersed themselves in the city's profound history and culture on 7 August as they toured Xunyang District, experiencing the living traditions of Jiangxi.

JANICE NAYRA HAVOR from Ghana and MIRZAIE NAJLA from Afghanistan, dressed in traditional Chinese costumes, visited Xunyang Tower and Yanshui Pavilion, strolled through Dazhong Road historic blocks to experience the unique vitality of the old town, and concluded at Pipa Pavilion where they encountered the popular viral White Space Pipa sculpture.

"I felt as if every place was telling a different story about Jiangxi's history and culture," said MIRZAIE NAJLA, reflecting on the journey along the Yangtze River. "The combination of ancient architecture and the modern bridge beautifully reflected how China preserves its traditions while continuing to develop."

NAJLA, who noted she was unfamiliar with Chinese traditional culture before arriving in China, said this was her first opportunity to experience it so closely. "Wearing traditional Chinese clothing made me feel connected to the local culture, and learning a few simple dance movements was both enjoyable and memorable."

The day's highlight for her was meeting Pipa master Luo Yi. "Listening to her explain the history and cultural value of the Pipa helped me understand that traditional music is not only an art but also a way of preserving the spirit and memories of a nation."

For JANICE NAYRA HAVOR, the immersion journey offered a profound encounter with Jiangxi's layered history. She described the Suojiang Pagoda and the mighty Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge as creating "a striking dialogue between past and present," adding that the experience reminded her "how this region has long been a crossroads of culture and commerce."

Walking through Pipa Pavilion with local students transformed her experience "from passive observation into active cultural dialogue," she said, noting that their passionate explanations of the pavilion's connection to Bai Juyi's famous poem "brought the Tang dynasty to life, bridging a thousand years in a single afternoon."

The two international students also attempted simple traditional dance movements at the popular photo spot. "Though my steps were clumsy, the act of embodying this art form, even briefly, gave me visceral appreciation for the discipline and grace required to convey emotion through gesture," HAVOR shared.

She emphasized that the genuine warmth of their young guides left the deepest impression. "Through shared laughter and patient teaching, they revealed how Jiangxi's heritage is not a relic but a living force, passed down through generations."

NAJLA also valued her communication with local students from Jiujiang. "Their kindness and enthusiasm made me feel welcome and allowed me to learn about Chinese culture through real conversations rather than books," she said, noting that "everything I experienced today was new, inspiring, and deeply interesting."

Jiujiang University has been actively organizing such immersive cultural activities, including visits to tea expos and museum events, to provide international students with valuable opportunities to explore local history and customs, fostering cultural exchange and mutual learning between young people from China and across the globe .

HAVOR concluded that "cultural understanding flourishes not in textbooks but in human connection—in the stories exchanged, the dances attempted, and the perspectives shared."