Intl students experience festival charm in Jinan

To celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival and showcase its talent-friendly environment, Jinan hosted a cultural exchange event at the Western Returned Scholars Association returnees town on June 13, bringing together international students from countries such as Morocco and Sri Lanka.

During the event, participants toured the returnees town exhibition hall to learn about its development strategy, industrial ecosystem, and support services for global talent. A policy briefing was also held to introduce Jinan's entrepreneurship support, housing assistance, and career development programs, highlighting opportunities for international students and overseas returnees to live and work in the city.

The event also offered participants an opportunity to experience traditional Chinese culture. After learning about the origins and customs of the Dragon Boat Festival, the students made herbal sachets using traditional Chinese medicine ingredients and tried their hands at wrapping zongzi (glutinous rice with various fillings wrapped in leaves), a traditional festival delicacy.

The celebration concluded with traditional games such as touhu, or pitch-pot, and ring tossing, allowing participants to gain a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture while experiencing Jinan's welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

International students craft herbal sachets using Chinese medicinal ingredients during a cultural exchange event in Jinan. [Photo/WeChat account: jinanwaishi]

International participants practice wrapping zongzi at at a festive cultural event. [Photo/WeChat account: jinanwaishi]