UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies Successfully Launches 2025 UCD Summer Experience: “Explore, Evolve, Elevate”
On 17 July 2025, the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies (IICS) officially launched its flagship international summer programme – the UCD Summer Experience: “Explore, Evolve, Elevate.” Twenty-five students and teachers from Northwestern Polytechnical University, Beijing Language and Culture University, Capital Normal University, Anhui University, and Shanghai Polytechnic University gathered on the UCD campus to embark on a cross-cultural journey blending academic exploration with cultural immersion.
Opening Ceremony: Embarking on a Cross-Border Learning Journey
At 10:00 a.m., the opening ceremony took place at UCD IICS. Professor Liming Wang warmly welcomed the visiting Chinese students and teachers on behalf of the institute, encouraging them to broaden their international horizons and deepen their cross-cultural understanding through this unique programme. Ashlee Feng, the programme coordinator, provided a detailed overview of the schedule and the programme’s guiding philosophy. With components including academic lectures, cultural workshops, and industry visits, the UCD Summer Experience offers participants an interdisciplinary and immersive platform to better understand Irish education, culture, and society.
Interactive ice-breaker and group activities followed, allowing students and teachers to connect, build rapport, and establish the foundation for collaboration. Participants embraced the programme's three key themes — Explore, Evolve, Elevate — as personal goals: to broaden perspectives through exchange and to enhance intercultural communication through exploration.
A Dual Enlightenment: Academic Learning Meets Cultural Experience
Following the ceremony, Dr Caitríona Osborne delivered an engaging session titled “An Introduction to the Irish Education System and Irish Dance Experience.” She offered a comprehensive overview of Ireland’s education system, from primary through higher education, highlighting its emphasis on practical skills and creativity.
The Irish dance workshop that followed brought infectious energy to the room. Under cheerful music and guided instruction, students learned the basic steps of Irish dance, discovering the charm and vitality of Irish culture through movement and laughter. The physical engagement made intercultural understanding even more vivid and accessible.
At lunchtime, IICS thoughtfully prepared a hearty Chinese meal, offering a taste of home to the participants. In the afternoon, Professor Alessandro Benati, Head of the UCD School of Education and a renowned linguist, delivered a lecture titled “Defining Language and Communication.” Drawing on insights from linguistics and sociology, he explored the deeper logic of language as a communication tool and shared strategies for navigating cross-cultural dialogue. His thought-provoking ideas sparked lively discussion, with several students commenting that they had “gained a new perspective on the thinking behind different languages.”
Campus Integration: Settling In and Getting to Know UCD
At 3:00 p.m., students and teachers checked into UCD Village. After a brief rest, student ambassadors led a “Fáilte” (Welcome) campus tour, guiding the group through the tree-lined Belfield campus. The tour included key facilities such as the library and sports centre, along with practical information on student card use, borrowing books, and navigating the campus—helping the group quickly settle into their new environment.
The rich and engaging first day of the UCD Summer Experience showcased the university’s academic excellence while also highlighting the warmth and openness of Irish culture. With the successful conclusion of the opening day, the 25 participants now look forward with great excitement to the days ahead — a cross-national journey of discovery, growth, and cultural resonance is now well underway.
都柏林大学中国研究院 2025 年暑期研学项目开营仪式顺利举行
7 月 17 日，都柏林大学（UCD）爱尔兰中国研究院（IICS）2025 年暑期研学项目正式拉开帷幕。来自西北工业大学、北京语言大学、首都师范大学、安徽大学及上海第二工业大学的 25 名师生齐聚 UCD 校园，开启了一场融合学术探索与文化沉浸的跨国学习之旅。
开营仪式：启航跨国研学梦
上午 10:00，开营仪式在 UCD IICS 隆重举行。王黎明院长代表研究院对远道而来的中国师生表示热烈欢迎，团队成员Ashlee Feng详细介绍了本次研学项目的行程规划与设计理念。项目涵盖学术讲座、文化体验、企业参访等多元模块，旨在通过跨学科视角与沉浸式体验，助力参与者深化对爱尔兰教育、文化与社会的认知。仪式现场还组织了团队热身与分组活动，通过互动游戏打破距离感，为后续协作奠定基础。师生们共同明确了研学目标 —— 在交流中拓展国际视野，在探索中提升跨文化沟通能力。
文化与学术的双重启迪
仪式结束后，IICS的讲师 Caitríona Osborne 博士带来了“爱尔兰教育体系介绍及爱尔兰舞蹈体验”。她系统讲解了爱尔兰从基础教育到高等教育的特色体系，并用生动案例展现其注重实践与创造力培养的教育理念。随后的舞蹈体验环节更是点燃全场热情，师生们在轻快的节奏中学习踢踏舞基本步伐，在欢声笑语中感受爱尔兰文化的活力与魅力，肢体的互动让跨文化理解变得更加鲜活。
午餐时分，UCD IICS 餐厅准备了丰盛的中式餐点，让师生们在异国他乡感受到贴心暖意。午后，UCD 教育学院院长 Alessandro Benati 教授主讲的《语言与交流的定义》讲座，从语言学、社会学等多维度剖析了语言作为沟通工具的深层逻辑，结合实例阐释了跨文化语境下的交流策略。精彩的论述引发热烈讨论，不少学生表示 “重新理解了语言背后的思维差异”。
校园融入：从入住到探索
下午 15:00，师生们前往 UCD Village 办理入住。稍作休整后，UCD 学生代表带领大家开启 “Fáilte（欢迎）校园之旅”，漫步于绿树成荫的 Belfield 校区，参观图书馆、运动场馆等核心设施，详解校园资源使用指南，帮助师生们快速熟悉环境。
此次开营日的丰富安排，既展现了 UCD 严谨的学术氛围，也传递了爱尔兰热情友好的文化特质。随着首日活动圆满落幕，25 名师生对接下来的研学旅程充满期待，一场融合知识探索与文化共鸣的跨国体验正徐徐展开。