On April 18, a delegation of thirteen faculty and students from Gateway Technical College of the United States arrived in Wenzhou with only a vague impression of “Made in China”. Six days later, as they shared their reflections at the closing ceremony, one word kept coming up in their remarks: unbelievable.
This was no ordinary cultural exchange. Held as an officially approved program under the Young Envoys Scholarship (YES Program) of the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), the 6th Perceive Wenzhou·Young Sail at ZJITC Sino-U.S. Vocational Education Development Exchange, broadened the insights of young American participants into China’s vocational education and intelligent manufacturing through three key activities: intangible cultural heritage immersion, corporate visits, and interactive classroom sessions.
Cultural Immersion: Embracing the Charm of Ouyue Culture and the Essence of Tai Chi
The delegation visited Zhejiang Creative Park, embarking on a vibrant cultural journey. They toured the Ou Embroidery Museum, Wooden Movable Type Printing Studio, Ou Porcelain Museum and Ou Clay Sculpture Research Institute, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Wenzhou’s intangible cultural heritage — from its historical origins and craftsmanship to its lineage of inheritance and innovative practices.
At the Ou Clay Sculpture Research Institute, the American faculty and students created clay sculptures inspired by one of Gateway Technical College’s landmark buildings, experiencing the distinctive charm of Wenzhou’s millennia-old intangible cultural heritage. Student representative Mireya Velazco remarked: “This is not only an unforgettable artistic and aesthetic experience, but also a meaningful bridge connecting young people from China and the United States.”
Under the guidance of martial arts instructors, all participants took part in a Tai Chi workshop, where they learned the eight fundamental techniques and five essential stances, as well as Tai Chi tuishou (pushing hands) and the traditional salute gesture. Through gentle, flowing movements, they experienced the essence of China’s ancient wellness philosophy—harmony of body and mind, balance of motion and stillness.
Student-Faculty Interaction: “Cultural Breakthrough” at the Opening Ceremony
On April 20, the opening ceremony of the 6th Perceive Wenzhou·Young Sail at ZJITC Sino-U.S. Vocational Education Development Exchange was held at the Oujiangkou Campus of ZJITC. During the event, Ye Xicong, a lecturer from the School of Modern Management, delivered a lively “immersive cultural talk show”. Through vivid storytelling, he introduced Wenzhou’s local delicacies, entrepreneurial spirit and Liu Ji Culture — the legacy of Liu Ji, a renowned Ming-dynasty strategist, advisor, and writer — from a bowl of fish-ball soup to the city’s DNA of “daring to be the first”. Gateway Technical College marketing instructor Sarah Dakwar shared her thoughts: “The pragmatic nature of Wenzhou’s entrepreneurship and vocational education helped me realize that industry-education integration isn’t just a slogan — it’s something happening here every day.”
That afternoon’s ice-breaking session deepened the friendship between Chinese and American students through quick-introduction games and “find your match” activities. Laughter and joy filled the venue as. student representatives Zeng Xini and Ren Yifan from ZJITC, international students Iskhanova Bayan and Seabi Tshiamo, and American students Sophia Smetana, Azalea Avila and Jacob Thillemann shared their campus experiences and resources, envisioning a future of increasingly internationalized vocational education.
Corporate Visits: Deepening Industry-Education Collaboration and Charting a Blueprint for Cooperation
From April 21 to 22, the delegation visited Yalong Intelligent Equipment Group Co., Ltd., Semir Group Logistics Center, Delixi Group, and other leading enterprises in Wenzhou. They also attended a series of seminars on American youth study tours in Chinese enterprises, gaining an in-depth understanding of intelligent production lines, modern logistics management systems and electrical equipment R&D processes. During the visits, students participated in mock job interviews organized by enterprise mentors, honing their cross-cultural communication abilities and professional competencies in real-world workplace settings. Heated discussions followed on topics including global expansion of vocational education and international talent cultivation, seamlessly connecting classroom theory with real industry practice.
Epilogue: Six Days Are Short, Yet Seeds Have Been Sown
The closing ceremony of the 6th Perceive Wenzhou·Young Sail at ZJITC Sino-U.S. Vocational Education Development Exchange was held at Union County Garden in Wenzhou Garden Expo Park, where faculty and students from both countries looked back on the highlights of their six-day journey. They spoke highly of Wenzhou’s distinctive landscapes and rich cultural heritage, which left them with a lasting impression. The U.S. delegation also expressed their eagerness for more opportunities to study and engage in exchanges in China.
To date, ZJITC has successfully held five previous Perceive Wenzhou Sino‑U.S. Vocational Education Development Exchanges in Wenzhou, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, and has organized over ten online and offline collaborative activities, ranking among the top vocational colleges in Zhejiang Province in terms of international exchange scale.
As the Gateway Technical College delegation departed, what they carried home was not merely an exchange program, but a vivid, multidimensional, and truly eye-opening story of China’s vocational education. While “Perceive Wenzhou” has drawn to a close for now, the journey toward “Understanding China” has only just begun.
