As the season of renewal blankets the earth with vibrant colors, the 2025 spring semester at Renmin University of China (RUC) has unfolded with a carefully curated series of cultural initiatives organized by the International Students Office, including orientation sessions, campus tours, cultural explorations in Nanluoguxiang, a Great Wall study tour, and museum visits. These multifaceted programs aim to facilitate seamless integration of new international students into campus life while fostering profound cultural appreciation.
On February 19, the 2025 Spring Semester International Student Orientation was successfully held. Fang Kun from the International Students Office provided a detailed introductionof the university’s rules and regulations, China’s entry and exit policies, and safety precautions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to Chinese laws to ensure a safe and smooth study experience in China. Liu Qian from the Student Accommodation Center outlined the university’s accommodation management rules, highlighting serious consequences of improper electrical appliance use and urging students tokeep a safe and comfortable living environment.
Furthermore, two graduate students from Portugal and Switzerland, both pursuing master’s degrees at the School of International Studies,gave apresentation titled “Renmin University Survival Guide”,offering actionable insights into navigating academic challenges, adapting to local culture, and maximizing extracurricular opportunities during their Beijing experience. The speakers emphasized strategic engagement with RUC’s academic resources andcampus activities,encouraging incoming students tomakethe most of their time at RUC.
On February 26, 40 international students from 17 countries, including Italy, Germany, and Kazakhstan, visited RUC’s former campus to explore its history and then strolled through Nanluoguxiang to experience Beijing’s folk culture. At the historic campus on Dongcheng District’s Zhangzhi Zhong Road No.3, students explored RUC’s iconic Baroque architecture and heard tales of its 1950 founding during guided tours. The site’s historical significance as the university’s original home provided insights into its role in modern Chinese education.Following this, the group walked to Nanluoguxiang, an 800-year-old hutong that has become one of Beijing’s most iconic cultural landmarks. Walking on the stone alleyways, students admired the unique architecture and experienced the daily life and traditions of Beijing’s local residents.
On March 19, 38 international students from 25 countries, including Russia, South Korea, and Malaysia, embarked on a Mutianyu Great Wall study tour. Climbing the well-preserved Ming Dynasty structure, students marveled at the Great Wall’s magnificence and scenic mountain vistas. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, Mutianyu left students in awe of its historical and architectural grandeur. Many students took pictures to capture the moment.
On March 26, 36 international students from 22 countries, including Sierra Leone, Russia, and Italy, visited the Xiannong Altar and the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum for an immersive study experience. Prior to the visit, Sun Yan, a senior engineer from the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of History, delivered a lecture on the historical background of Beijing’s central axis and the Xiannong Altar. Her presentation deepened students’ understanding of the historical significance and cultural value of these sites. The Xiannong Altar, an important ritual architectural complex on Beijing’s central axis, served as a place for Ming and Qing emperors to worship agricultural deities and perform plowing ceremonies. Through on-site visits and explanations, students appreciated the structural beauty of ancient architecture and the wisdom of Chinese agricultural civilization.
Participants praised the program’s blend of education and cultural immersion. Cambodian graduate student Sok Mey described theformer campus visit as “a journey through time, reminding me of past generations’ struggles for education.” Hungarian student Koosa Tamas Alex valued forging friendships while “gaining insight into China’s enduring history.” Russian participant Pasekova Margarita highlighted the museum lecture: “Expert insights transformed artifacts into vivid stories of cultural legacy.”
From orientation sessions to historical campus tours, from the majestic views of the Great Wall to the craftsmanship of ancient architecture, these activities marked a solid start for international students at RUC and deepened their connection with Chinese history and culture.RUC remains committed to providing international students with enriching academic and cultural exchange opportunities. RUC warmly welcomes global students to engage in enriching academic and cultural experiences across China.
