To help international students adapt quickly to campus life and better familiarize themselves with the cultural environment of the ancient city of Xi'an, the Graduate Student Union Rights and Services Department of the School of Architecture organized a lecture on Xi'an's cultural features for international students on the afternoon of November 15. The event was held in the third-floor communication room of the Architecture Building. The lecture was hosted by Ren Juan, a graduate advisor at the School of Architecture, with the participation of the Vice Dean of the School of Architecture, Yu Kanhua, graduate counselors Wang Jie and Wang Yuqi, along with graduate international students.
First, Ren Juan, on behalf of the school leadership and all faculty and students, extended a warm welcome to the international students. Then, the international students introduced themselves one by one, sharing their Chinese names, hobbies, and interests, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Next, student Zhao Wei formally introduced the local customs and culture of Xi'an. She explained various iconic tourist attractions in Xi'an, such as the Bell and Drum Towers, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. These renowned historical and cultural masterpieces sparked the curiosity of the international students, many of whom expressed a strong desire to visit these places. Zhao Wei also introduced local Xi'an delicacies, such as Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), Ganmianpi (hand-pulled noodles), and Zenggao (steamed rice cakes), which all left the international students drooling. Furthermore, Zhao Wei shared a detailed three-day Xi'an travel itinerary with the students, including a daily schedule and cost breakdown, to help them explore Xi'an more conveniently and better understand the city.
After watching an insightful cultural documentary about Xi'an, the international students were able to experience the charm of the city in a more vivid way. During the final interactive session, Ren Juan patiently explained how to search for Xi'an travel guides and tourist information on public accounts, emphasizing the importance of "teaching someone how to fish rather than just giving them a fish." She also encouraged students to contact faculty members for assistance if they encountered any problems or difficulties in the future.
Finally, Yu Kanhua expressed a warm welcome to the international students' arrival and offered valuable advice regarding their academic planning, suggesting they conduct localized research based on the actual conditions of their home countries. Yu Kanhua emphasized that the presence of international students injected new vitality into the School of Architecture, and he hoped that students would embrace their ideals and responsibilities during their studies and write a brilliant chapter in their international education.
