On the morning of June 18, the School of Foreign Languages at Southeast University launched its International English Summer School, titled “Cultivating Communication and Dissemination Competencies for International Organizations,” with an opening ceremony held at the Sipailou Campus. The program, organized in response to the Ministry of Education's “50,000 in 5 Years” China-U.S. Humanities Exchange Initiative, brings together more than 30 students and faculty members from four universities in China and the United States. Over the next 14 days, participants will take part in an immersive study tour across Nanjing, Suzhou, and Shanghai, designed to develop globally minded professionals equipped for intercultural communication in international settings.

The ceremony was chaired by Dr. Liu Sen, Director of the English Department. In her address, Vice Dean Lu Weiwei emphasized the growing importance of international organizations in today's globalized world and highlighted the essential role of effective communication and dissemination skills in international engagement. She noted that the program's carefully designed curriculum aims to strengthen students' intercultural communication abilities and provide practical preparation for careers in international organizations. Lu also underscored the value of the American students' participation, which enriches the program with diverse perspectives and creates meaningful opportunities for China-U.S. youth dialogue and mutual learning.

Faculty representatives Chi Haonan, Gu Qianping, and Li Zixuan welcomed the students and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting all participants throughout the academic and cultural exchange. They were joined by English Department teachers Yang Min, Tang Bin, and Guo Qing.

The summer school's distinctive pedagogical approach was evident from the first day. Foreign instructor Frank led interactive sessions on “Defining Diplomacy” and cross-cultural adaptation, encouraging lively, critical discussions between Chinese and American students. These exchanges fostered openness, mutual understanding, and inclusive dialogue. The program will continue with a “mobile classroom” model, structured around three integrated learning modules:

Academic courses in comprehensive English, diplomatic protocol, and area studies;

Field activities, including cultural visits to Nanjing's Confucius Temple, field research on rural revitalization in Jiangning, and study tours in Suzhou and Shanghai;

Frontier explorations, such as a visit to the National Institute of Outstanding Engineers at SEU and a workshop on Shanghai's global development strategies.

The launch of this summer school reflects the School of Foreign Languages' active commitment to national talent-development strategies, the cultivation of high-level global professionals, and the advancement of China-U.S. people-to-people exchange. Over the following two weeks, participants from both countries will learn side by side, engage in on-site exploration, and exercise critical reflection—working together to articulate Chinese perspectives in global contexts and to foster cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation.

Text: Yang Shiying, Liu Sen, Zhang Tingting

Photos: Wang Yining, Yang Shiying

Translated: Li Yixiao, Zhang Tingting

Proofreading: Guo Qing