From June 29 to August 2, 2024, the Summer School Program at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with California State University, Northridge, brought together faculty and students for a month of joint research and study. Sponsored by the China Scholarship Council, this Summer School program featured mutual credit recognition and a curriculum combining theoretical learning with practical visits to local enterprises like Jianmin Pharmaceutical and Valeo Group. The program sought to deepen participants' understanding of managerial accounting, Chinese culture, and technology, while fostering Sino-American friendships through extracurricular activities and city explorations.
Academic Courses
Joint Learning, Promoting Knowledge Exchange
The academic part of the summer school was taught jointly by faculty Ru Gao and Ling Zhu from the School of Management at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, alongside faculty Jun Zhan from California State University, Northridge. Chinese and American students attended classes together. After several joint preparations and discussions on the curriculum outline and assessment methods by both Chinese and American sides, the teaching effect was highly praised by students. The teaching methods were rich and varied, including classroom competitions, group presentations, and post-class exercises, allowing Chinese and American students to better master professional knowledge and skills. The program has trained the teaching staff and strengthened the teaching collaboration between the two schools.
Teaching by Chinese and American faculty
Corporate Visits
Applying Learning to Practice, Experiencing Chinese Culture and Innovation Dynamics
The School of Management utilized alumni resources to arrange visits for Chinese and American students to Jianmin Pharmaceutical and Valeo Group, to promote students' understanding of corporate operations and innovative practices. Jianmin Pharmaceutical showcased the profoundness of traditional Chinese medicine culture, and students gained a deeper understanding of the Chinese pharmaceutical industry through activities such as making traditional Chinese medicine sachets and learning the Baduanjin exercise. Meanwhile, Valeo showcased its innovative car lighting technology and strict production line management, emphasizing Valeo's pursuit of excellence in production technology and safety. These visits not only deepened students' understanding of corporate operations but also provided a valuable learning and communication chance for Chinese and American students.
Students visit Jianmin Pharmaceutical to make traditional Chinese medicine sachets and learn baduanjin exercise
Students visit Valeo Group
Cultural Courses
Experiencing Chinese Culture, Feeling the Charm of Tradition
To further acquaint American students with Chinese culture, the summer school arranged cultural experience courses. In the Chinese language experience course, students learned basic Chinese phrases through specific topics and interacted actively with teachers, gaining a lot. In the Chinese calligraphy course, students picked up the brush and experienced the charm of calligraphy art, with each completing their own calligraphy work, leaving a unique memory in China. The Jingchu culture experience course led students into the learn about the history of China, understand the city story of Wuhan, and learn the bamboo weaving craft, making their own fans. Cultural courses allowed students to vividly experience the excellent traditional Chinese culture.
Students participate in Chinese culture classes
City Tours
Wuhan Impression, Exploring the Charm of the City
To better promote cultural exchanges between China and the United States and ensure the safety of American students in China, the event also arranged 17 volunteers from the School of Management at Huazhong University of Science and Technology to accompany them, helping American students better integrate into the campus of HUST and the new environment of Wuhan. In their spare time, volunteers not only took them to taste authentic Wuhan delicacies such as hot dry noodles, dried beancurd, lotus root soup, and fermented rice wine but also guided visits to famous Wuhan attractions such as Yellow Crane Tower, Hubei Provincial Museum, East Lake, and Yangtze River Bridge. American students deeply felt the unique charm of Wuhan and the warm hospitality of Chinese students.
Students group photos at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Optics Valley Pedestrian Street, and Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge to commemorate the occasion
Farewell Party
Friendship between China and the United States, Sharing Unforgettable Moments
On July 31st, as the summer school came to an end, the School of Management held a farewell party in the second-floor café. Chinese and American teachers and students gathered together for warm exchanges. Uriel Arroyo said, "The one-month study and life in Wuhan has brought me a lot, and I am reluctant to leave. I am very grateful to the teachers who facilitated this summer school and the volunteers who accompanied us, and I am grateful to Huazhong University of Science and Technology, California State University, Northridge, and the China National Fund for providing us with this valuable opportunity." Many students also expressed that they will continue to participate in the summer school of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and California State University, Northridge next year. After returning to the United States, they will recommend this program to more classmates and friends, encouraging more American students to participate and become messengers of Sino-American educational and cultural exchanges.
The promotion of the program has received support and attention. To ensure that American students can obtain visas more quickly, the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles arranged a green channel for visa applications for students in the program. To expand the program's influence, China Daily arranged for a reporter to come to Wuhan for coverage. To enhance the students' sense of mission and achievement, the China International Education Association also awarded certificates of "Youth Messengers" for exchange between the two countries to American students from the program. It is hoped that the program will become a model of cultural and educational cooperation between China and the United States and a bond of people-to-people connections between the two countries.
