As winter deepens, warmth fills the air, a nd the festive spirit grows stronger. On the afternoon of January 30, the “Friends of Shandong” Spring Festival Celebration, jointly organized by the Binzhou Municipal Foreign Affairs Office and multiple departments, was successfully held. Over a dozen international students from Yemen, Afghanistan, Guinea, and other countries, enrolled in our university's International College, were invited to participate. Together with foreign friends residing in Binzhou, they explored the city, experienced traditional customs, and discussed its development. Amidst the rich festive atmosphere, they built a heartwarming bridge of cross-cultural communication.

I. Exploring the Joyful Home Expo Museum: Touching the Power of Textile Innovation

Guided by bilingual explanations, the students strolled through the Yuyue Home Expo Hall, gaining deep insights into the development trajectory and innovative achievements of Binzhou's textile industry. Inside the exhibition hall, home textile products blending design aesthetics with practicality, alongside warm and comfortable home scenes, drew frequent stops from the group. Through close observation and hands-on interaction, the students directly experienced the robust capabilities of “Made in China” while appreciating the human warmth behind industrial progress.

II. Exploring the Wheat Industry Exhibition Hall: Unlocking the Secrets of Agricultural Production

At the Zhongyu Yellow River Delta Wheat Industry Exhibition Hall, international students followed the “Journey of a Wheat Grain” to fully experience the entire industrial chain—from cultivation and storage to processing into various food products. The integration of green development concepts with modern production techniques left them deeply impressed by the large-scale, precision-driven development of Binzhou's modern agriculture. They gained a tangible sense of the industrial depth and people-centered care embodied in the “farm-to-table” approach.

III. Crafting Cloth Tigers and Writing Spring Festival Couplets: Experiencing the Essence of Chinese New Year

The folk culture experience session was bustling with activity. Under the step-by-step guidance of staff, international students focused intently on cutting, stuffing, and sewing. One by one, adorable cloth tigers—symbolizing peace and good fortune—came to life. As they wielded brushes to write Spring Festival couplets, everyone learned to stroke the character “福” (blessing) and compose New Year greetings. The aroma of ink mingled with laughter, immersing participants in the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year and the unique charm of traditional customs through red paper and brushes.

This Spring Festival celebration was not only a cultural experience but also a gathering of hearts. International students from the International College gained knowledge and joy through the activities, while deeply experiencing Binzhou's warmth as a city that “connects hearts across cultures and brings people together.” Moving forward, the college will continue to expand such social practice and cultural experience platforms, helping international students better understand China, integrate into Binzhou, and become youthful ambassadors of friendship between China and the world.