This summer, Sylvia Chung Yan Shan, Class of 2026 in Electronic and Computer Engineering, and Naruesorn Dechnorachai, Class of 2026 in Electrical Engineering and Automation visited Changtian Community in Xiashi Sub-district, Haining together and they invited local youth to experience global cuisine and culture firsthand.
Sylvia, who’s from Malaysia, shared her hometown treats: kaya toast and the iconic Milo Dinosaur drink. As she walked everyone through each step, she encouraged local kids to join in the fun—soon, the room was wrapped in the sweet aroma of toast and coconut jam. Through this simple cooking activity, everyone got a warm, tasty introduction to Malaysian culture.
Naruesorn, from Thailand, stepped up next with a classic home-style dish: Pad Krapow (Thai basil pork with rice). The second those lunchboxes popped open, the room was flooded with a mouthwatering aroma. As he shared little stories about his hometown and broke down each ingredient, the kids there realized food really is a bridge connecting people and cultures.
At the same time, a team of ZJUI students in Armenia brought Chinese culture into local high schools. Led by Hayk Soghomonyan, Class of 2027 in Electronic and Computer Engineering, the group included Sahradyan Vahe, Class of 2028 in Electronic and Computer Engineering; Aren Mkhitaryan, Class of 2027 in Electronic and Computer Engineering; Mkrtchyan Areg, Class of 2028 in Electrical Engineering; Boynagryan Davit, Class of 2028 in Electrical Engineering and Automation; Gevorg Khalafyan, Class of 2027 in Information Engineering; and Badalyan Tigran, Class of 2028 in Information Engineering.
During the activities, team member Hayk noticed that many Armenian students’ impressions of China still came from media reports, and they were often curious about aspects of China beyond what’s covered in their textbooks. So when sharing Chinese culture, he made it a point to highlight the harmonious coexistence of China’s ancient traditions and its vibrant modern vibe—hoping to help them understand that China is not just an ancient civilization with a long history, but also a society brimming with contemporary creativity and diverse energy. From time to time, he also shared Chinese customs that were both new and interesting to the students.
In the face of the students’ great curiosity about Chinese culture, they never relied on dull lists of facts; instead, they used stories as a starting point. “I think culture touches people through stories,” Hayk said. “Whether we’re talking about calligraphy or modern Chinese music, I always share them with personal anecdotes.” When the topic turned to Chinese New Year, team members described in detail how Chinese people decorate their homes with bright red spring couplets, explained that the festival’s date changes every year because it follows the lunar calendar (and is closely tied to the cycle of the Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals). They didn’t just talk about traditional customs—they also shared their own Spring Festival memories from the International Campus, like making dumplings with friends or receiving small gifts on New Year’s Day. Additionally, they made a point to talk about the Chinese tradition of eating fish during the New Year: in Chinese, “fish” (yu) is a homophone for “surplus” (yu), symbolizing abundance year after year and prosperity. People even intentionally leave some fish uneaten, using this small detail to echo this beautiful symbolism.
“No matter what topic we talk about, we always end up having lively and engaged conversations. I think our team will keep doing this work, and we also look forward to exploring more new ways to show the world the vibrant diversity and creativity of China,” Hayk shared with us.
Beyond in-person exchanges, Hayk Soghomonyan also runs an Instagram account he founded himself, capturing the charm of China through his lens. Whether it’s time-honored cultural heritage, vibrant modern cities, the lingering misty rain of Jiangnan in Hangzhou, or the youthful vibe of the International Campus, Zhejiang University, he shares them all through photography—allowing the world to see a diverse and authentic East. Experiences like this not only showcase our international students’ sense of responsibility and enthusiasm, but also offer a genuine glimpse into how the understanding of China among young people from abroad is slowly taking deep root through these small, warm interactions.
Hayk told us that some of his relatives study architecture, and every time he goes home, he pulls out his photo album to take them on a special "virtual tour." "What strikes me most about Chinese architecture is the amazing blend of old and new—a quiet ancient garden might stand right next to a modern high-rise, yet somehow creates an extraordinarily harmonious sense of balance," he said.
