In December, two student delegations from Zhejiang Industry & Trade Vocational College (ZJITC) embarked on short-term exchange programs in South Korea and Malaysia, combining academic inquiry with cultural exploration. From the blend of tradition and modernity along Seoul’s Han River to Malaysia’s rich tropical rainforest heritage, students stepped beyond the classroom to engage in intercultural dialogue and experiential learning — broadening horizons, strengthening skills, and reflecting the curiosity and confidence of a new generation engaging with the world.
Part I: Learning Along the Han River: South Korea Study Program Highlights
Experiencing Seoul’s classical elegance and Daegu’s academic depth, ZJITC’s student delegation to South Korea journeyed across both cities, exploring the dynamic interplay where history meets modernity and tradition meets innovation.
Cultural Exploration: Sensing the Pulse of Seoul
On their first day in Seoul, students immersed themselves in the city’s distinctive charm. Amid the vermilion walls and jade-tiled roofs of Gyeongbokgung Palace, they donned traditional hanbok and strolled through royal courtyards, sensing the dignity and grace of Korea’s dynamic heritage. In the narrow alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village, traditional houses stood alongside contemporary cafés—each turn revealing delightful surprises, as if stepping between past and present. With sleek skyscrapers rising against distant green hills, many students said that they had gained a vivid firsthand understanding of South Korea’s history and modern development.
Cross-Cultural Exchange: Pathways to Personal Growth
The entire trip served as hands-on practice in cross-cultural communication. The two-day program was rich and engaging: in Korean language and culture classes, students progressed from basic pronunciation to daily conversation through lively interaction that steadily improved their language skills; in traditional culture workshops, they created hanbok-themed paper crafts and learned traditional Korean etiquette, gaining an authentic experience of Korean culture.
The all-English environment further honed their communication skills. Beyond acquiring professional knowledge, students also developed insights into the rigor and innovation of South Korea’s higher education, enhancing their confidence on the international stage.
From Seoul to Daegu, from cultural encounters to academic inquiry, students learned through travel and grew through experience. This journey across borders broadened their global outlook, enhanced their professional and communication skills, and cultivated both independent thinking and a strong sense of teamwork.
Part II: Exploring Malaysia’s Cultural Tapestry: Study Program Highlights
As morning light pierced through the clouds above Kuala Lumpur International Airport, ZJITC’s student delegation to Malaysia, full of anticipation and curiosity, began a journey that combined academic exchange with cultural exploration. From the bustling capital to indigenous communities, and from leading universities to traditional workshops, each stop offered new discoveries and genuine inspiration.
Engaging with Leading Universities, Gaining New Insights
The program began at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), where a warm welcome ceremony marked the start of in-depth dialogue with Malaysian peers. Through engaging lectures, professors provided a clear and comprehensive overview of the distinctive features and strengths of Malaysia’s higher education system. Addressing differences between Chinese and Malaysian educational philosophies as well as the country’s diverse research pathways, they offered students fresh insights into the globalization of higher education. In exchange sessions, students from both countries discussed topics such as academic learning, campus life, and career goals, sparking intellectual exchanges and forging lasting international friendships.
The next stop took them to the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), where students explored the distinctive charm of its green campus. UTS representatives shared forward-looking visions for future education. The lecture on “Future Universities and Green Technology Education” illustrated the synergy between cutting-edge pedagogy and environmental technologies. During the entrepreneurship and innovation workshop, students worked in teams, brainstorming and developing creative problem-solving skills through hands-on activities. As they explored the campus’s smart buildings and its futuristic library, they saw firsthand how technology is reshaping education.
Deep Cultural Immersion: Experiencing Malaysia’s Cultural Diversity
In the streets and alleys of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s multicultural essence revealed itself at every corner. During a Malay language and culture workshop, students learned everyday expressions from local instructors and prepared traditional dishes such as nasi lemak and chicken curry, experiencing the warmth and richness of Malay culture up close.
Beneath the Petronas Twin Towers, the intertwined architectural grandeur and urban vibrancy showcased how modernity and tradition coexist in harmony. At the Royal Selangor Pewter factory, a century of craftsmanship came to life through the museum’s exhibits. In hands-on workshops, students crafted their own pewter bowls, observing how a traditional craft adapts to global markets through innovation, and gaining a deeper appreciation of the wisdom behind cultural preservation and industrial upgrading.
In Sibu’s Bawang Assan longhouse, students were introduced to the indigenous Iban culture. Welcomed by Iban community members with a traditional ceremony, they explored the longhouse’s unique architecture and close-knit communal life, gaining insights into the wisdom embedded in indigenous ways of life. Sitting on woven mats, they practiced ancestral skills such as beadwork, basket weaving, and blowpipe shooting. Guided by Iban elders, the students learned how humans and nature coexist in harmony and developed a deeper respect for cultural diversity.
Student Reflections
Duan Zihan: “Walking through Seoul’s streets, I was captivated by the contrast between Gyeongbokgung’s traditional architecture and Myeongdong’s modern shopping district—tourists in hanbok passing by hurried office workers. This harmony between tradition and modernity made me realize that cultural heritage isn’t a static relic but a living tradition continually revitalized through innovation.”
Liu Zhihan: “At Daegu Catholic University (DCU), I was impressed by the professor’s emphasis on practice and interaction. It made me realize that learning isn’t just about theory, but also hands-on engagement. As an accounting student, I need to balance solid theoretical foundations with practical, interdisciplinary applications.”
Chen Wenling: “What impressed me most in Malaysia was how fluently the locals switch between two languages. I realized that language learning isn’t confined to classrooms—it comes alive when woven into daily life. After all, life itself is the best teacher.”
Wen Jinya: “In Malaysia’s vibrant and multicultural landscape, we traveled from cities to rainforests, from history to the future. Each moment resembled a prism, refracting textbook concepts into multidimensional realities. What struck me most was that harmonious coexistence isn’t a fixed state but a dynamic process requiring wisdom, compromise, and sustained effort.”
Two overseas study tours, two cultures—each remarkable in its own right. From Malaysia’s inclusive diversity to South Korea’s fusion of tradition and modernity, ZJITC students grew academically, culturally, and personally. These invaluable experiences helped them rethink oversimplified development frameworks and deepened their understanding of the historical roots and complex interconnections behind global issues. With broadened horizons and renewed confidence, they are ready to write new chapters of their journeys on the global stage.
