Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a volunteering activity that left a deep impression on me. It was a day dedicated to cultural exchange, creativity, and a wonderful reminder of the vibrancy of tradition — both Chinese and beyond.
The day kicked off with a heartwarming presentation by the children on Hanfu, the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese. They spoke with passion, enthusiasm, and a surprising depth of knowledge, proudly showcasing their colorful outfits. Seeing these young ones carry the weight of cultural heritage with such grace was a joy. It also sparked curiosity among their parents, and everyone involved, drawing us all closer to their stories and the rich tapestry of Chinese tradition.
Following the presentations, we engaged in a handcrafted activity inspired by Hanfu. There was something genuinely special about seeing tiny hands delicately crafting miniature representations, focusing intently on each detail with laughter and chatter sprinkled throughout the room. It was a bonding moment between generations, a bridge built through creativity and cultural appreciation.
For my part, I was thrilled to introduce the group to “Tò he” — a traditional Vietnamese folk art of sculpting figurines out of sticky rice dough (in our case, we replaced with clay). It’s an art form with deep roots, often used to depict animals, characters, and figures associated with myths or daily life. As I guided the children through making their own “Tò he” creations, I saw the initial trepidation in their eyes give way to delight as their little masterpieces took form. It was a joy to see their pride and their parents’ smiles as their colorful figures took shape. We even had a brief but delightful session dedicated to this art, savoring each sculpted piece.
In contrast to my segment, my friend took the stage to share a slice of her cultural heritage by presenting about Thanksgiving. With warmth and humor, she spoke about the holiday’s history, traditions, and its spirit of gratitude. To engage the children further, she taught them how to create “hand-turkeys” — a craft where children trace their hands and decorate them to look like turkeys. The kids eagerly took to this simple yet joyful activity, transforming their tracings into colorful turkeys adorned with feathers, sequins, and glitter.
Together, these moments made for a beautiful exchange of traditions, creativity, and joy. We learned, laughed, and created together, crossing cultural bridges with every activity. This experience reminded me of the power of shared traditions and simple acts of crafting and storytelling. It was a day well-spent — one that will stay with me for a long time.
By Fall 2024 Student Marselline.
Over this past weekend, some of our students enrolled at Minzu University of China took their annual Spring Outing – this year, to Gubei Water Town. Situated about a 2-hour drive northeast of Beijing, the April weather made it absolutely perfect to explore for a spring outing. It surrounds various canals and offshoots of Yuanyang lake.
If you ever want to get a taste of Old Beijing, by far one of the best ways is to visit the hutongs. They’ve conceptually been around all the way since the 1200s, and in their most modern forms exist as protected alleyways and streets surrounded by old traditional houses and neighborhoods in the heart of Beijing and are recognized in China to be an important part of cultural heritage in the city.
My name is Jane Turner, and I’m a student from America- a second-year at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Although I’m studying in the middle of America, I come from the very south, from a state called Louisiana.
My name is Panatsaya, a third-year student at Xavier Learning Community (XLC) / Saengtham College, Xavier Campus, Chiang Rai (SC-XCC), and I come from the Akha ethnic community. Questions of culture, identity, and belonging have never been abstract to me—they have always been part of my daily life.
