Shenyang Medical College International Students Add International Style to Shenyang Culture and Tourism!
During the 2026 winter vacation, with strong support from the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, our college's International Education College organized a series of New Year cultural tourism volunteer activities and cultural immersion programs for international students. Through volunteer work, the students demonstrated service commitment while experiencing the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. These efforts not only built a bridge for cultural exchange between China and foreign countries but also brought international vibrancy to Shenyang's New Year tourism market. Through hands-on participation, the students gained a deep appreciation for the charm of traditional Chinese folk customs and the warmth of Shenyang's urban life.
On February 12 (the 25th day of the 12th lunar month), international students transformed into "cultural experience officers" and visited the New Era Civilization Practice Center in Dadong District to participate in the immersive New Year customs experience activity titled "Ten Thousand Horses Welcome Spring, A Joyful Journey Begins, Celebrating the New Year with Happiness." At the event, the students checked in at the Year of the Horse-themed special scenes, engaged in the fun interactive activity of beating the Year Beast to win grain tickets, and experienced the urban development changes through immersive markets from different eras. In the intangible cultural heritage workshop, they followed the inheritors to learn traditional skills such as Year of the Horse paper-cutting and dough figurine making, and even participated in making old-style dumplings. Through hands-on practice, they savored the authentic Northeastern New Year flavor and truly felt the profound meaning of reunion behind China's "family" culture.
On February 13 (the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month), a team of international student volunteers visited the Longzhimeng Ice Cream Museum in Dadong District to provide cultural tourism services. Under professional guidance, the students systematically learned coffee-making and creative ice cream techniques, crafting various specialty beverages and desserts. They also took on volunteer roles as guides and consultants, offering thoughtful and professional assistance to visitors with their bilingual fluency in Chinese and English. Their enthusiastic attitude and skilled service earned widespread praise from tourists, making them a vibrant international highlight at the venue.
On February 16 (Lunar New Year's Eve), international students visited the Aisin Gioro Imperial Museum in Faku County, immersing themselves in the unique New Year's Eve folk festival of the Liaoshen region. Here, they checked in at the Ice and Snow Straw Park, experiencing the rich rural New Year atmosphere through the lively Northeastern Yangge dance; strolled through the ancient town to take photos and enjoy scenic views, deeply participating in special activities such as performances, food tasting, wine-making study tours, and intangible cultural heritage experiences; joined local tourists for the Hongxi New Year's Banquet, savoring Faku's local delicacies; climbed the city wall to admire the dazzling night view, watching the spectacular "Phoenix Dance" performance and fireworks show, feeling the unique joy and bustle of China's New Year's Eve in the romantic ambiance of light and shadow.
Tanzanian student Mnyawami Emmajec Emmanuel and Moroccan student Hattabi Fatimaezzahra participated in three cultural and tourism activities throughout the event. When talking about their Spring Festival experience, both could hardly hide their joy and gains. "The three activities allowed me to feel a different flavor of the Chinese New Year. The Spring Festival in Shenyang was lively and warm, with the exquisite intangible cultural heritage skills, the interesting folk activities, and the warmth of the Shenyang citizens all leaving a deep impression on me. Participating in volunteer services not only improved my Chinese expression skills but also made me experience the joy of helping others," said Emmajec. Hattabi added that this was her first time celebrating the Spring Festival in China, and the comprehensive experience helped her deeply understand Shenyang's festival culture and urban charm, as well as truly feel the city's inclusiveness and warmth.
This winter vacation series of cultural tourism volunteer and cultural experience activities serves as a vivid demonstration of the school's efforts to deepen international students' social practice and promote cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. By immersing themselves in Shenyang's cultural tourism and folk life, the international students have enhanced their sense of urban identity while showcasing the city's diverse charm to their global peers.
