Recently, the closing ceremony of the second LEAP Global Summer Program was held at the International Campus, Zhejiang University. LI Hanying, Dean of the International Campus, Zhejiang University, attended the ceremony and delivered the closing address.

The LEAP Global Summer Program, initiated by ZIBS in 2023, aims to promote global youth exchange through language learning, cultural exchange, academic exploration, and practical experience. The program has been selected selected as recommended programs of “Young Envoys Scholarship” of Ministry of Education of R.R.C. in 2024.

During the fourteen-day journey, participants have immersed themselves in a series of academic lectures, language classes, and cultural activities.  

In the Chinese language classes, students with elementary level learned Chinese pinyin, mastering pronunciation techniques, and some basic characters, while students with intermediate level learned how to write a resume in Chinese and how to conduct a Chinese interview. Participants also attended three academic lectures: Intercultural Competence by Professor LIU Ying, Media China by Professor ZHAO Yupei, and Fintech and Sustainability by Professor WEN Wu.  

Additionally, participants engaged in various corporate visits, cultural activities, fieldtrips, and organization visits. Throughout these activities, participants had a profound appreciation for the long history and cultural charm of Chinese civilization, deepened their understanding of China, and gained an up-close observation of the operations of top Chinese enterprises.  

They also experienced the development opportunities and pulse of China from different perspectives and recognized the significant importance of people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States in promoting the development of Sino-American relations and business ties.

Although the summer school only lasted for two weeks, the experience and impact it had on the participants were immense. We hope that in the future, there will be an opportunity to meet again at Zhejiang University to study and LEAP forward together.

The LEAP program has been a truly extraordinary experience. I think it's definitely changed a lot of what I knew, and my experiences here have definitely been impactful and meaningful, and it's been so fascinating, both being immersed in the academic aspects of Chinese as a culture and as a language, but also being here to go to all these different places and old historical sites. It's been really valuable, I think.

——Roan McAuley, USA

So this program to me has been like beyond every expectation, that I've learned a lot, not always the language, but also things from Chinese culture. We have seen so many places. I love the Xitang ancient town and everyone who took part in this program I think was very professional and they made us feel at home.

——Chiara Innocenti, Italy

I think the LEAP program is really good in bringing people from no background whatsoever and anything about China to understanding the complexities of the culture here and bringing a more nuanced view of China. In general, I think now my view of China is much more holistic and I wanna approach my future career in whether it's politics or international agencies to kind of try to foster peace between China and America and bring prosperity to the global field as much as I can.

 ——Gabriel Price, USA

What has stood out most to me is the warmth and camaraderie that developed among us. We came from different parts of the world, but we quickly became a family—supporting each other, learning from each other, and building friendships that I believe will last a lifetime. In a world that sometimes seems filled with division and misunderstanding, it is programs like this that bring us closer together, that remind us of our shared humanity.

——YAN Jiayi