To further broaden the international horizons of college students and enrich the multicultural atmosphere on campus, after organizing a series of international cultural exchange activities covering countries/regions such as the United States, England, Turkey, Pakistan, Poland, Ghana, Nigeria, and the Philippines, the International School of Guangzhou Huashang College, in conjunction with the International Exchange and Cooperation Office, held the 10th session of its "Exploring Exotic Cultures and Promoting Mutual Learning Among Civilizations" international cultural exchange series—titled "Indian Cultural Sharing Session"—at the Little Papa Restaurant on November 1, 2024. Dr. Hiren Bhavsar, an Indian scholar, served as the keynote speaker. Attendees included Dean Hui Yanyan and Vice Dean Zhang Zhen of the International School; Dr. Aneela Qadir, a Pakistani faculty member; teachers John Jung (American), Begum Firinci and her spouse (Turkish); teacher Wong Ngor Lam (American); and over 30 students from the International School, School of Liberal Arts, School of Health Medicine, School of Artificial Intelligence, School of Teacher Education, and School of Accountanting.
Scheduled during the Indian Diwali (the Festival of Lights), which marks India’s Lunar New Year, the session began with Dr. Bhavsar tracing the origins of Diwali. He elaborated on its historical background and customs, paying special attention to the five-day celebration—detailing key rituals and observances for each day. To help faculty and students better understand Diwali, Dr. Bhavsar drew parallels between it and China’s Spring Festival, citing similar traditions such as house cleaning, decoration, and family reunions. He emphasized that Diwali, like many festivals worldwide, strengthens family bonds and social cohesion, embodying people’s aspirations for a better life.
Dr. Bhavsar also introduced India’s history, the renowned Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival), its nearly 10,000 dialects, and ethnic diversity. He highlighted yoga (a practice for physical and mental well-being) and traditional costumes of various ethnic groups.
As participants sampled Indian cuisine, Dr. Bhavsar explained the cooking and dining customs of traditional dishes, including panipuri (spicy crispy dumplings), samosa (savory fried pastries), and butter chicken (creamy curry chicken). Through this culinary experience, attendees embarked on another journey into India’s history and culture via their taste buds. These dishes, not only visually appealing and flavorful, are integral to Indian cultural identity.
Toward the end of the event, Dean Hui Yanyan expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Bhavsar for his meticulous preparation. She emphasized that over nearly 10 sessions of international cultural activities, students have gained opportunities to deeply engage with foreign cultures. She hoped these events would spark young people’s interest in exploring global cultures, enhance cultural inclusivity, and build on the platforms established by the International School for participation in international organizations. By elevating the outcomes of these series, she aimed to lay a foundation for students to represent China on the global stage, contribute to global governance, and reinforce the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind.
The event was warmly embraced by students, with seats filling up in seconds. At the venue, students took photos to mark the occasion and shared them on their WeChat Moments. Many commented that the sharing session not only deepened their understanding and experience of Indian culture but also strengthened their cultural inclusivity and empathy, while simultaneously improving their English communication and expression skills. They expressed hope for more such educational yet entertaining activities to enrich students’ extracurricular learning experiences.
