To actively prepare for the competition, our university's foreign students' dragon boat team began to plan the preparatory work before the race in April. As many team members were experiencing dragon boat racing for the first time, the college specially invited professional dragon boat coaches to train the foreign students. During the training, regardless of heavy rain or scorching sun, the foreign students always maintained high morale. In the process of training, they not only improved their technical level but also established deep friendships. At the same time, the college also told the students the stories of Chinese traditional culture behind the dragon boat race to further enhance the students' understanding of Chinese traditional culture.
Liao Hongtong, a 2021 undergraduate student from Malaysia, said, This is my first time participating in a dragon boat race. At the beginning of the training, we were completely unfamiliar with dragon boat paddling and our movements were very uncoordinated. After a period of hard training, we finally achieved the effect of uniform movements. Although the training was very hard, the team atmosphere was very good, and every progress made us very happy. Participating in the dragon boat race this time was a great experience, which not only exercised the body but also allowed me to feel the charm of teamwork and Chinese traditional culture.
SUFE will continue to support and encourage foreign students to broaden their horizons, participate in various forms of cultural, sports, and social practice activities, and let them experience Chinese traditional culture in a rich and colorful campus life, tell good Chinese stories, and perceive and integrate into China.