On September 16, 2025, the visit from Australia’s Mazenod College, hosted by Daxia College, was held at the Putuo Campus of ECNU. Twenty students from Australia paired up with student volunteers, jointly writing a new chapter in the exchange between ECNU and Mazenod College.
First Stop: ECNU Library
Volunteers accompanied the teachers and students of Mazenod College to the first stop of the visit—theECNU Library. Ms. Zhang Yun from the Library Reader Service Center guided the students to experience the strong academic atmosphereand visited the Future Learning Center in the library in an immersive way.
Under Ms. Zhang’s guidance, teachers and students interacted with the “Little Flower Lion” AIlibrarian. This vivid activity left a deep impression on the Australian teachers and students.
Second Stop: Daxia College
The second stop, Daxia College, was the focus of this exchange. Here, the visiting teachers and students, together with volunteers, participated in various activities hosted by Huang Yi, the Teaching Tutor of Daxia College.
Present at the event were Pang Weiguo (Dean of Daxia College, Professor of the School of Psychology and Cognitive Science), Wang Qiuchi (Director of the Admissions Office of the International Education Center), Liu Yan (from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance and Application Center of ECNU), Wang Liyv (Vice Dean of Daxia College), Wang Chun (Counselorof Daxia College), and Cheng Haixia (AdministrativeExecutive of Daxia College).
Gabriella Warfe, Vice Principal of Mazenod College, on behalf of the Mazenod College, expressed her expectations and praise for this event, and highly recognized ECNU’s excellent school system and beautiful campus environment.
Part 1: Welcome to Daxia College
Pang Weiguo, Dean of Daxia College and Professor of the School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, introduced the overview of Daxia College. Professor Pang first outlined the college’s educational philosophy of “Colorful Life, Insightful Class, Thoughtful Mind”, and then gave a vivid and comprehensive introduction to the Australian teachers and students from the dimensions of eight major courses and student activities.
Part 2: ECNU, Your First Choice
After Professor Pang’s vivid introduction to the college, Ms. Wang Qiuchi, Director of the Admissions Office of ECNU's International Education Center, introduced ECNU’s international student programs to the Australian teachers and students.
Ms. Wang started with several multiple-choice questions about Shanghai and taught the Australian students ECNU’s Chinese name in Mandarin, which fully aroused the on-site atmosphere. Later, she gave a comprehensive introduction to the key international student programs from multiple aspects, enabling the Australian students to gain a deeper understanding of ECNU.
Part 3: “Overflowing Fragrance”– Experience of Making Ancient-Style Fragrance Plaques
After a short break, Chinese and Australian students jointly participated in a wonderful intangible cultural heritage activity“Overflowing Fragrance”–Experience of Making Ancient-Style Fragrance Plaques.
Ms. Liu Yan, a Shanghai Intangible Cultural Heritage inheritor of traditional incense-making techniques and a member of ECNU’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance and Application Center, provided on-site guidance with hands-on demonstrations.
Ms. Liu first briefly introduced the historical development and production steps of fragrance plaques, and then demonstrated the production process. Every step—adding water to knead the powder, pressing to shape with molds, drilling holes and threading strings—was a dialogue with cultural heritage. The ancient-style fragrance plaques gained a new life in the hands of Chinese and Australian students.
Ms. Liu’s teaching by example, Huang Yi’s professional translation, the Australian students’ earnest engagement, and the volunteers’ dedicated service together formed the most beautiful scene of this activity. After their own hard work, the Australian students received this special oriental gift during their trip to Shanghai.
Third Stop: Campus and Canteen
After the fragrance-plaque making experience, volunteers and the Australian teachers and students wandered around ECNU’s beautiful campus. Whether it was the rippling Liwa River, the lush metasequoia trees, or the historic old buildings, all attracted people to stop and admire, evoking continuous exclamations. The Australian students also used their mobile phones to record the beautiful moments.
This visit included not only cultural exchange but also a canteen experience. In the Hexi Canteen of ECNU, the steam filled with the aroma of food wafted over the tables. The Australian students tried using chopsticks, and their eyes were full of surprise when they picked up the dishes for the first time. The warm reception from teachers and students made the guests from afar feel the warmth of ECNU.
Looking Forward to Reunion
Time flies, the Australian students’ trip to ECNU came to an end. This visit not only broadened their horizons but also provided them with another option—ECNU—for their future further studies. It is believed that the bond between the caring ECNU, the enthusiastic Daxia College, and them has not come to an end!
Volunteer Feedback
- Qin Wenjing, Undergraduate Student of Grade 2022, Faculty of Education:
I am very happy to have this opportunity to further communicate with students from Australia! I also gained friendship while helping them. It was a very pleasant activity experience that allowed me to practice my oral English and adaptability. I hope there will be more such volunteer activities in the future!
- Zhang Zijian, Undergraduate Student of Grade 2025, School of International Chinese Language and Culture:
Today, we welcomed 20 students from Mazenod School in Australia. Many of these 20 students have East Asian appearances, which eased our nervousness. Following the teachers, we visited the library, Daxia College, and the canteen together. Aiden, the student I paired with, is an Australian immigrant from Hong Kong. We made a pair of exquisite fragrance plaques and had a free talk about various hobbies, spending a wonderful morning.
- Yang Ling, Undergraduate Student of Grade 2025, Faculty of Education:
This was a particularly meaningful activity. While learning to make sachets with Australian students, I not only improved my hands-on skills but also spread the long-standing Chinese culture. It promoted cultural interaction and exchange, enhanced mutual knowledge and understanding, and broadened the horizons of both sides. At the same time, it also helped me practice my oral English and expression skills. It is very memorable, and I hope more similar activities will be held!
- Deng Xiwen, Undergraduate Student of Grade 2025, Faculty of Education:
Through this activity, my oral English and English listening skills have been improved. I learned about the cultures of many other countries, and I felt very happy to communicate and chat with friendly and interesting people. I also learned a lot of new knowledge. I hope I can participate in more such Chinese-foreign exchange activities in the future, seize every opportunity to exercise myself, and strive to become a better person!
- Sun Yuhan, Undergraduate Student of Grade 2025, School of Statistics:
As a volunteer, I led the students from Mazenod College to visit our campus. I completed my task earnestly, and at the same time, I improved my language skills, engaged in cultural exchanges, and built sincere friendships! It was a rewarding experience full of value!