In Saint-Gobain , participants got a close understanding of how the global building materials giant realized technological breakthroughs in the fields of lightweight construction and green materials, and how its innovations are redefining the sustainable standards of future buildings; and in the visit of Lin Qingxuan, a Chinese brand, participants deeply felt the eco-wisdom behind the “Camellia Skin Oil” - from the raw materials to planting to product development, the green concept is the key to the development of the products, which is the most important factor in the sustainable development of Shanghai. 

Through SPEIT's well-designed Shanghai city walk route, participants measured the city's sustainable development with their feet: in Fuxing Park, they realized the value of an ecological green lung; on Nanjing Road, they observed the balance between commercial prosperity and sustainability; on the Bund, they pondered on the dialectical relationship between historical preservation and urban regeneration; and in the Yuyuan Garden, they learned the modern revelation of traditional gardens. Step by step, the participants not only enjoyed the charm of the city of Shanghai, but also explored China's solution for the sustainable development of mega-cities in the blend of tradition and modernity.

In Yucun, Anji, Zhejiang Province, participants were given a unique hands-on ecological lesson. Surrounded by green mountains, this village interprets the true meaning of sustainable development in the most simple way.

The most unforgettable part of the workshop was the non-heritage food workshop. When the trainees kneaded Wujun tangbao with their own hands, the traditional skills and ecological concepts reached a perfect fusion between the kneading and the kneading.

Interaction with the villagers made the theory vivid. In the fields, participants carried freshly picked seasonal fruits and vegetables to feel the temperature of the land; in the exchange meeting, Chinese and French students talked about the experience of rural development in their respective countries; in the dialect classroom, simple French greetings intertwined with the local dialect, and cultural barriers melted away in the sound of laughter.

From the demonstration of zero-carbon buildings to the practice of field classroom, Yucun showed the participants a complete picture of sustainable development: it has the sharpness of technological innovation and the thickness of local culture; it has an eye on the future and is rooted in tradition. 

In the subsequent traditional culture experience, the participants deeply participated in two very representative programs.

One is the Song Brocade Fan Workshop, where master craftsmen demonstrated this weaving technique inherited for thousands of years. Participants carefully threaded the needle and embroidered delicate patterns on the silk fan, feeling the essence of the craftsmanship.

The other is movable-type printing. This experience brought a cultural dialogue. Participants hand-picked the characters, proofread the typesetting, inked and printed. These two workshops not only allowed the participants to appreciate the subtleties of traditional craftsmanship, but also completed a spiritual dialogue with Chinese civilization through hands-on practice.

At the end of the week, the summer trainees and the students of the Academy conducted a board game exchange activity together. They sat around and practiced Chinese chess, Go and several French board games. The Chinese and French students explained the rules of the games to each other and competed with each other on the chessboard.

A French participant was deeply impressed by the game : "The way of giving and taking when making a move is just like the wisdom of the middle ground in oriental philosophy." Chinese participants, on the other hand, said after experiencing the French board games, “The meticulous logic and strategic thinking shown in these games are refreshing.” This cross-cultural intellectual exchange not only allowed both sides to appreciate the charm of different ways of thinking, but also deepened mutual understanding in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Every move on the chessboard became a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures.

First of all, I would like to thank SPEIT for the careful arrangement, and I am honored to participate in this sustainable development program, in which I not only gained knowledge, but also made cross-cultural friendships.

This summer program is not only an academic program, but also a catalyst for my personal and professional growth. It allowed me to gain valuable knowledge, expand my global network, and inspire me to become more active in the cause of sustainable development.

All in all, it was an invaluable experience that combined learning, exploration and cultural exchange. 

This summer program experience was great! Because I made new friends, including students from China and international students from other countries, I was happy to learn about the different perspectives on various topics.

I also enjoyed the sustainability lessons because we don't cover these topics in high school. It was completely different from the subjects we usually study and it was really interesting to learn about ecology and how our everyday behavior affects the city.

Lastly, I really enjoyed exploring Shanghai. It was my first time here and it is such a beautiful and stunning city. The skyscrapers tower over the city, and at night it is absolutely stunning and gorgeous.