In order to enrich the classroom experience of international students studying in China, deepen their understanding and perception of Chinese culture, and expand the teaching content of the compulsory general course "Overview of China", the International College organized a practical teaching activity on December 19, 2025. Under the leadership of Hao Zixiu, the counselor for international students studying in China at the college, Chen Jiaxin, the teaching secretary, and Zhang Rui, the office assistant, more than 20 international students from more than ten countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Chad, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, etc. visited and studied at the Guangdong Provincial Museum.
Under the guidance of the Chinese and English tour guides at the Guangdong Provincial Museum, international students visited themed exhibition halls such as "Ancient Civilization," "Guangdong History and Culture," "Maritime Silk Road," and "Overseas Chinese History," embarking on a cultural exploration journey that spans ancient and modern times.
In the ancient civilization exhibition area, students gained a deep understanding of the activity trajectory and early civilization forms of prehistoric humans in southern China by observing Homo sapiens fossils, accompanying animal remains, and various stone and jade artifacts. They also gained a visual understanding of ancient Chinese craftsmanship, the origin of wine culture, and traditional festival customs.
At the Guangdong History and Culture Exhibition Hall, international students utilized a rich variety of cultural relics and art works to appreciate the regional characteristics of Lingnan culture that are inclusive and diverse, as well as the unique styles exhibited by the three major ethnic groups of Guangfu, Chaoshan, and Hakka in architecture, cuisine, craftsmanship, and folk customs.
In the exhibition area of the Maritime Silk Road, from the cultural relics of the sunken ship "Nanhai No.1", to the prosperous trade of the Thirteen Factories in the Qing Dynasty, and to the historical imprint of cultural and artistic exchanges between China and foreign countries, international students have systematically recognized the important position of Guangzhou as a millennium commercial port and deeply experienced the historical role of Guangdong in promoting Sino foreign economic and trade exchanges and cultural integration.
At the Overseas Chinese History Exhibition Hall, through the touching stories of overseas Chinese crossing the ocean, struggling to start their own businesses, and always caring about their homeland and serving their country, international students deeply feel the profound patriotism and cultural resilience of the Chinese people.
Throughout the visit, the international students listened attentively and interacted actively, engaging in discussions and exchanges around the exhibits and explanations.
This visit to the Guangdong Provincial Museum is not only an innovative practice in the teaching format of the "Overview of China" course, but also a vivid attempt to extend the classroom to museums. By combining physical objects with historical materials, international students can touch the historical context while walking and perceive China's heritage through observation. The activity effectively expanded students' cultural horizons, deepened their understanding of contemporary Chinese social development and humanistic spirit, especially the unique charm of Lingnan culture, and became a practical course that integrates knowledge transmission, value guidance, and cultural immersion. It also provides a valuable example for further promoting national education for international students studying in China.
