At 1:30 pm, June 27, at room 406 of UTSEUS Building, the pre-education class for the first UTSEUS summer camp was successfully held. School leaders such as Mr. Liu Wanyu, Marc, Mr. Zhang Jianhua, Mr. Zhou Yi all attended the class and several experts in the field of intercultural communication provided special guidance for all the teachers and students participating in the summer camp.

The event was divided into two parts: the departure ceremony and the pre-departure education. During the departure ceremony, Mr. Liu Wanyu, the Chinese Dean of UTSEUS, delivered a speech. He wished the students to learn something from this trip, and made several requirements: follow the curiosity to learn more, act properly and obey the law, strengthen group consciousness and ensure the safety of themselves. The French Dean of UTSEUS, Mr. Marc Bondiou delivered a French speech to interpret this curious journey from a French perspective, hoping that students would learn something from it and return safely. The speeches of the two Deans had won enthusiastic response from the students. Student representatives Liang Yuhao and Gu Siyuan took over the college flag from Mr.Liu, which bore the image of UTSEUS for the students to take on

During the pre-departure education, Prof. Zhuang Enping from the School of Foreign Languages was invited to deliver a speech entitled “Chinese Culture and Intercultural Communication”. Prof. Zhuang humorously expressed his profound insights into the cross-cultural communication and patiently solved the questions raised by the students. Next, Prof. Alexandre and Hu Xiaoyan collaborated on a French lecture entitled “French Etiquette”, which covered public issues such as greetings, host families, subway, and emphasized personal safety awareness. They also answered students’ questions patiently and humorously.

Afterwards, Prof. Su Hong and Prof. Jin Liping introduced the schedule of the summer camp, emphasized team discipline, provided necessary information such as emergency number, embassy and consulate address, and clarified the tasks for the students to accomplish in this study tour. The whole event was hosted by Prof. Shen Zhihong.

After the event, all the teachers and students took the first group photo of the study trip to France in front of the UTSEUS building.

Now, let’s see how do students feel about the tour after attending this pre-departure class by entering the interview section.

Q1. What are you thinking about when took over the college flag?

A【Liang Yuhao】I’ve done lots of student work before and I thought this time would be as usual. However, I do feel something different when standing in front of all the teachers and classmates, I felt the flag weighed much heavier than before. In the coming twenty days, I will bear the responsibilities carried by the flag and lead

everyone to a happy and safe summer camp.

Q2. What did you learn from this pre-departure class?

A1【Gu Siyuan】：We listened to the advice given by the Dean and French teachers and enjoyed the cultural feast that Professor Zhuang brought to us from which I gained an in-depth understanding of the importance of intercultural thinking. And Mr. Alexandre vividly explained the French etiquette that we need to pay attention to. As a first-year student who is going to the French summer camp, I’m longing for the trip. I’ve learnt how to maintain a good image in a foreign country through this class and it has benefited us a lot.

A2【Ding Liang】：I’ve learnt a lot about the French etiquettes and I’m very lucky to be in this team. What impressed me most was the speech by Prof. Zhuang Enping. He talked about the global vision, cultural confidence, and how to adapt oneself to the custom of the local culture. From his speech, I’ve learned to avoid the fetish to foreign cultures, people need full understanding and confidence of their own culture. Only by knowing your own can you rationally appreciate the special features of other cultures.

Q3. How are you influenced by the speeches of Dean Liu and Marc?

A1【Zhou Tianye】：Their speeches have increased my enthusiasm and curiosity. I cherish this chance very much due to the support and contribution made by so many teachers for the summer camp. During my stay in France, I will cultivate my cross-cultural communication skills while learn French language and sense foreign culture.

A2【Wei Manqing】：I know that this chance to France is very precious and I attach great importance to this study trip. We are so lucky to experience French culture and local life as freshmen. I’m very grateful to Dean Liu for his suggestion of launching this project and the advices Marc offered to us are of great value. I will devote myself to this trip in a positive way, observe French life carefully and communicate more with French teachers and classmates in order to strengthen my competence. It will be a worthwhile journey!

Q4. What impressed you most in this pre-departure class?

A1【Guo Ruilin】:Personally, I was impressed by Prof. Zhuang’s discussion and inspiration about Chinese culture. This is the first time for UTSEUS students to have direct contact with French culture and education. In addition to learning French and UT, we should introduce Chinese culture to France and make French people interested in Chinese culture. Just as Prof. Zhuang said, culture is something that neither directly instilled nor loudly advertised to the world. As the saying goes: “It’s impolite not to make a return for what one receives.” I hope that through this study trip, we may not only have a deeper understanding of the customs of France, but also be able to show the profoundness of Chinese culture to French people.

A2【Zhu Haotian】：I believe that my biggest benefit from this session is the knowledge shared by Prof. Zhuang and Alexandre. They helped me to have a primary understanding of France so that I can be more confident when I get there. And this class was also a very good chance for students to communicate with teachers and seek help from them.

A3【Shi Xiangru】：Alexandre offered us many suggestions that we hadn’t heard about before. For example, we should not only be polite to the hosts, but also communicate more with them and don’t hesitate to express true feelings and thoughts about them. We can learn more about the local life by deeper communication. Thank you so much, Alexandre, for your care and advice which will definitely make our trip successful and wonderful!