As the fragrance of zongzi greets the Dragon Boat Festival, dragon boat races bring vibrant energy to the season. Recently, “Experience China” - The 16th Shanghai Region and 4th Yangzi River Delta HEIs International Students Dragon Boat Race kicked off at Tonghai Lake on the Fengxian Campus of East China University of Science and Technology. Hosted by the China Scholarship Council, the event attracted 716 international students from 110 countries across 32 universities in the Yangzi River Delta. United by dragon boat sports, participants immersed themselves in traditional Chinese folk culture at this water sports gala. A team of 21 international students from ZJU participated in the dragon boat race and won second place.

The arena echoed with steady drumbeats and swift oar strokes as teams raced ahead fiercely. This was a 200-meter straight sprint for mixed-gender teams, featuring 32 squads competing in heats and finals. Our team raced alongside international students from Fudan University, University of Science and Technology of China, East China Normal University and other institutions. ZJU finished first in the heats with a time of 51.65 seconds and secured a spot in the final. In the final round, the team clocked 53.53 seconds, setting a new school record and taking second place. Their outstanding performance embodied the positive, enterprising spirit of ZJU students.

ZJU attaches great importance to this event, regarding it as a key platform for national culture education and cultural cultivation for international students. After rigorous selection, the university formed a dynamic and diverse dragon boat team with students who excel in sports, demonstrate strong teamwork and embrace Chinese culture. Team members hail from Greece, the United States, Myanmar, Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran and more. Despite diverse cultural backgrounds, they share a deep passion for traditional Chinese culture.

From beginners to a well-coordinated squad, the membersforged stronger bonds  and pushed their limits through continuous training. Theydeveloped a deep understanding of the spirit of dragon boat sports: solidarityand perseverance. Their dedication and enthusiasm laid a solid foundation forthis historic breakthrough.

The dragon boat race is a vivid showcase of fine traditional Chinese culture and a lively lesson in national culture education. While rowing together to the drumbeat, international students learned the value of teamwork and gained a deeper understanding of Chinese spirit. This remarkable achievement not only highlights the vigour and perseverance of ZJU international students, but also reflects the outcomes of the university’s cultural and national education initiatives. Moving forward, the International College will continue to organize diverse cultural activities. We hope to guide international students to learn about, integrate into and embrace China, and grow into China-friendly talents with global competence.

Team Members’ Remarks

As team leader, coach and rower, I took part in this race. Over the past month, we started from scratch and trained hard in the scorching sun. We even gathered for practice at 5:30 a.m. every day. We grew increasingly united amid drumbeats and sweat. We set a new record in the heats with a time of 51.65 seconds. Though we finished second in the final, this will fuel our motivation. We will come back stronger next year!

Kong Junyi, 

Malaysian undergraduate, 

Class of 2021, Major in Administration

I never expected this activity to leave such a profound impact on me. I have found a team that reignited my love for team sports. Every member devoted full passion and effort, and no one missed any training sessions. Setting a new record in the heats is truly something to be proud of. This fantastic experience helped me better understand Chinese culture and the efforts behind teamwork. I have once again felt the joy and charm of team sports.

Nadapana Pranav, 

American undergraduate, 

Class of 2020, Major in Clinical Medicine

I’m thrilled to be part of the ZJU International Student Dragon Boat Team. Dragon boat racing is fun, and above all, it is a team sport. Our achievement belongs to every teammate. I’m truly grateful to all of you, and I hope we can win the championship together next year.

Nazarenko Polina, 

Russian postgraduate student, 

Class of 2025, 

Major in Management Science and Engineering

Taking part in the dragon boat race has been an amazing experience. As a foreigner, I rarely get the chance to try this traditional Chinese sport outside China, so I cherish this opportunity very much. Our captain Kevin put in tremendous work to train us. I had never even boarded a dragon boat a month ago. Racing alongside such great teammates and winning second place while breaking the record makes every effort worthwhile.

Juliana Zanoni Tao, 

Brazilian postgraduate student, 

Class of 2025, 

Major in International Affairs and Global Governance