A cultural journey of friendship, understanding in Ningbo

Anna and her Chinese host family members pose for a photo. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

An inspiring story of cultural exchange emerged at the University of Nottingham-Ningbo, where Italian exchange student Anna Luna Hassler embraced life as part of a Chinese family. This was part of the university's innovative homestay program aimed at deepening international students' understanding of Chinese culture.

Anna, from the University of Parma, joined Professor Yu Jie's family in Ningbo. During her stay, she made sweet dumplings for Lantern Festival and enjoyed vibrant family reunions. These experiences gave her a vivid picture of Chinese daily life, contrasting with her home in Italy, where such gatherings are rare outside of holidays.

The cultural exchange worked both ways. Yu's family explored Italian dishes while sharing insights on Chinese traditions and lifestyle. The dialogue expanded to topics like differences in education systems, with Anna noting Italy's focus on individuality versus the academic precision valued in China. Such exchanges fostered mutual respect and deepened their bond.

For Anna, this experience was transformative. She plans to share her memories with friends back home, advocating for similar exchanges. University of Nottingham-Ningbo's Professor Zhang Yulong highlighted the program's importance, allowing students to connect with China beyond academics and tourism. The university now plans to expand the program to include cooking classes and local travel.

As Anna beautifully expressed, "Culture is not for comparing; it's for sharing." This sentiment reflects the program's success in breaking barriers, uniting traditions, and planting seeds of friendship that transcend borders.