Broaden International Horizons 

and Deepen Cultural Exchange — Huizhou University’s 

Japanese Major Exchange Program at Sapporo University 

Achieved Solid Results

Recently, we have learned from our partner institution, Sapporo University in Japan, 

that Sun Lixi and Xie Chuyi, students of the Class of 2023 majoring in Japanese 

currently on exchange at the university, have delivered outstanding performances in 

events such as the International Students’ Japanese Cultural Experience series hosted 

by Sapporo University. Notably, while immersing themselves in Japanese culture, they 

have also actively served as disseminators of Chinese culture. They participated in 

cultural exchange activities for International Chinese Language Day organized by the 

Confucius Institute at Sapporo University, demonstrating Huizhou University students’ 

solid professional foundation, excellent cross‑cultural communication skills, and cultural confidence through two‑way interaction.

The two students were selected in April 2025 for a one‑year exchange program at 

Sapporo University. During their stay, in addition to successfully completing required 

courses, they actively integrated into campus life and participated in various cultural 

activities. In a kimono experience class instructed by lecturers from the professional 

institution Kinuno Koromo, they systematically learned about the history, dressing rules, 

and etiquette of kimono. Through tea ceremony practice, from preparing and serving 

tea to tasting it, they deeply experienced the core spirit of Japanese tea ceremony: 

harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. Their earlier experience at the Confucius 

Institute for International Chinese Language Day also enabled them to better 

understand the profound meaning of “appreciating one’s own beauty and that of 

others, and achieving harmony through shared beauty.”

“These immersive cultural experiences have allowed my understanding of Japanese 

society to move from abstract texts to concrete perceptions,” said Sun Lixi. 

“Participating in Confucius Institute activities made me realize that cultural 

exchange is two‑way. While learning foreign cultures, we also bear the responsibility 

of telling China’s stories. This has deepened my identification with the role of a 

cultural exchange ambassador.”

Cooperation between Huizhou University and Sapporo University began in 2013. Over 

the past twelve years, linked by the development of the Japanese major, the two 

universities have maintained continuous and in‑depth cooperation in faculty and 

student exchanges, academic resource sharing, and immersive cultural experiences, 

becoming a prominent example of our university’s educational exchanges with Japan. 

The outstanding performance of this cohort of exchange students overseas—especially 

their role as bridges in events from International Chinese Language Day to Japanese 

Cultural Experience—is a vivid testament to the long‑term stable cooperation and 

commitment to international talent development between the two universities.

A well‑known comprehensive university in Japan’s Hokkaido region, Sapporo University

maintains stable partnerships with 44 universities worldwide. Its Confucius Institute 

serves as an important platform for China‑Japan cultural exchange. During their studies 

there, our exchange students have full access to high‑quality courses and academic

 resources, with seamless credit recognition, strongly supporting the continuous 

cultivation of application‑oriented foreign language talents. Platforms like the 

Confucius Institute also provide students with valuable opportunities to present China 

to the world.

“After one semester of study, I have not only improved my practical Japanese skills in a 

local context, but also learned to view issues from a more diverse and open perspective 

through interactions with international students,” said Xie Chuyi. “From International 

Chinese Language Day in April to Japanese Cultural Experience in July, I have 

transformed from a cultural learner to a two‑way cultural communicator—a unique 

and precious experience.”

International cooperation and exchange are key measures for the School of Foreign 

Languages to promote open education and optimize talent training models. 

Successful cooperation with Japanese universities such as Sapporo University, 

especially two‑way cultural exchanges through high‑level platforms like the Confucius

 Institute, has accumulated valuable experience in overseas education for the school. 

Looking ahead, the school will continue to expand its network of high‑quality 

international partners, optimize overseas study programs for students, and strive to 

cultivate more interdisciplinary foreign language talents who uphold national 

sentiment, possess global vision and professional competitiveness, and are 

committed to promoting mutual learning among civilizations, injecting strong 

international momentum into the university’s high‑quality development.