From September 19 to 22, 2024, four international students from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan at our university participated in the "Perceive China" Government Scholarship Student Social Practice and Cultural Experience Activities, jointly organized by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and Kunming Medical University. Titled "Yunnan: A Haven for Healthy Living – Exploring Natural and Cultural Heritage Treasures", the event took place in Pu'er City, Yunnan Province.

Participants engaged in immersive cultural experiences to showcase Yunnan's ancient "Tea Origin" heritage, tracing the evolution of the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and deepening their understanding of China's traditional culture and folk customs. The activities aimed to articulate China's stories and promote its cultural voice while highlighting Lancang County's innovative model of rural revitalization—a blend of ecological advantages, traditional agriculture, cultural tourism, and sustainable development. This initiative also explored Yunnan's vision of achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature through its beautiful countryside construction efforts.

During the event, international students first visited Lancang County People's Hospital for a symposium on "cluster-based medical support system", learning about initiatives that have significantly enhanced educational outcomes, public health services, and rural technological capacity in Lancang County. Next, they explored the Lancang Hezhiba Science and Technology Courtyard, where Academician Zhu Youyong-led research teams have been implementing science and technology-driven poverty alleviation since China's Academy of Engineering initiated targeted assistance. These efforts exemplify innovative pathways integrating talent, technology, agricultural development, and cultural preservation. Finally, at the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest CulturalLandscape Exhibition Center, participants examined the nomination process for this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. They gained multidimensional insights into Pu'er tea's origins, cultivation techniques, ethnic heritage, historical evolution, and culinary applications through interactive sessions. By engaging in hands-on activities such as tea plucking, processing, and tasting at local production bases, students deepened their appreciation for China's tea culture and immersive experience of its philosophical and practical significance.

Kazakhstan-born master's student Adilet said, "This journey to Pu'er County not only deepened my understanding of China's tea culture but also allowed me to truly appreciate Yunnan's natural beauty. Lancang County People's Hospital's 'cluster-based medical support system'provided local residents with technically proficient yet compassionate healthcare services. Witnessing the genuine trust between doctors and patients deeply moved me. Additionally, experiencing Lancang's authentic folk customs further enriched my comprehension of China's profound tea culture. As a medical student, I now realize that mastering medical knowledge alone is insufficient—I must also embrace the responsibility of becoming a cultural ambassador to disseminate China's essence worldwide."

"Experiencing China's Traditional Culture, Cultivating Global Virtues. This social practice enabled international students to intimately appreciate the unique charm of tea culture and grasp the profoundness of Chinese civilization, fostering their understanding of China through immersive engagement. It empowered them to become proactive ambassadors of cultural exchange, advocating for China's values globally while embodying the spirit of friendship and mutual respect between China and foreign cultures."

Yunnan: A Haven for Healthy Living, Exploring Natural and Cultural Heritage Treasures—International Students Participate in“Perceive China”Social Practice and Cultural Experience Activities

From September 19 to 22, 2024, four international students from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan at our university participated in the "Perceive China" Government Scholarship Student Social Practice and Cultural Experience Activities. These activities were jointly organized by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and Kunming Medical University, and were held in Pu'er City, Yunnan Province. The theme of the event was "Yunnan: A Haven for Healthy Living–Exploring Natural and Cultural Heritage Treasures."

The participants engaged in immersive cultural experiences to explore Yunnan's ancient "Tea Origin" heritage. They traced the history of the Ancient Tea Horse Road and deepened their understanding of China's traditional culture and folk customs. The activities aimed to share the stories of China and promote its cultural identity, while also highlighting the innovative rural revitalization model of Lancang County. This model integrates ecological advantages, traditional agriculture, cultural tourism, and sustainable development. The initiative also focused on Yunnan’s efforts to achieve harmonious coexistence between humans and nature through rural development.

During the event, the international students first visited Lancang County People's Hospital, where they attended a symposium on the "cluster-based medical support system." This system has significantly improved educational outcomes, public health services, and technological capabilities in rural areas. Next, they explored the Lancang Hezhiba Science and Technology Courtyard, where research teams led by Academician Zhu Youyong have been implementing science and technology-driven poverty alleviation initiatives. These efforts exemplify innovative models that combine talent, technology, agricultural development, and cultural preservation. Finally, the group visited the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape Exhibition Center, where they learned about the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage nomination process. They gained comprehensive insights into Pu'er tea’s origins, cultivation techniques, ethnic heritage, historical evolution, and culinary applications. Through interactive sessions, including tea plucking, processing, and tasting at local production bases, the students gained a deeper appreciation for China's tea culture and its philosophical and practical significance.

Adilet, a master’s student from Kazakhstan, shared his thoughts: "This trip to Pu'er County not only expanded my understanding of China's tea culture but also allowed me to truly appreciate the natural beauty of Yunnan. The 'cluster-based medical support system' at Lancang County People's Hospital provides local residents with both highly skilled and compassionate healthcare services. The genuine trust between doctors and patients was deeply moving. Additionally, experiencing Lancang's authentic folk customs further enriched my understanding of China's profound tea culture. As a medical student, I now realize that it is not enough to just master medical knowledge—I must also take on the responsibility of becoming a cultural ambassador, sharing the essence of China with the world."

"Experiencing China's Traditional Culture, Cultivating Global Virtues." This social practice allowed international students to gain an intimate understanding of the unique charm of tea culture and the depth of Chinese civilization. By engaging in hands-on experiences, they were empowered to become active ambassadors of cultural exchange. This initiative fostered their understanding of China, helping them promote Chinese values globally while embodying the spirit of friendship and mutual respect between China and other cultures.