As pleasant autumn unfolds and a new chapter commences, on September 16, the opening ceremony and orientation for the 2026 autumn-winter semester non-degree Chinese Language students of International College of Zhejiang University were successfully held at the Theater of the Yongqian Student Activity Center, Yuquan Campus. More than 600 new students from nearly 90 countries gathered at the foot of Laohe Mountain, beginning their Chinese learning journey as new ZJUers.

Wang Yufen, Executive Vice Dean of the International College, delivered a speech first. She warmly welcomed the language students to the Zhejiang University family and encouraged them, while advancing academically, to broaden their horizons and embrace the charm of Chinese culture with a more proactive attitude. Regarding Chinese learning, she offered three suggestions: first, move from "daring to speak" to "being able to speak," honing language expression and grasping the appropriateness of speech; second, move from "tool" to "humanities," not only mastering vocabulary and grammar but also understanding the emotional logic behind them; third, move from "learner" to "connector," seizing opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and fostering mutual learning between language and culture in daily study and life.

Faculty representative Zhan Tiantian spoke on stage. She said that learning Chinese opens a cross-civilizational dialogue, and she hoped students would cherish every opportunity to speak and communicate, seek hands-on experiences, reflect often, and embrace life beyond the classroom. All teachers of the college will also serve as a solid support for students on their academic journey.

Returning-student representative Ms. Frances Galatia Lanitou Williams, former Ambassador of Cyprus to China, and new student representative Benedict Turner, an exchange student from Durham University in the United Kingdom, spoke separately. As a Chinese learner who returned to campus after retirement, Ms. Lanitou Williams cited the ancient Greek saying "As years grow, learning does not cease" and the allusion to Confucius's scholarship to explain the meaning of lifelong learning, saying that a university is not only a place to acquire knowledge but also a platform for exchange, sharing, and learning regardless of national borders, culture, or age. Benedict Turner shared the difficulties he encountered in learning Chinese in the past and encouraged students to make new friends, try new things, study hard, and grow together.

Accompanied by the stirring Zhejiang University anthem, representatives from the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, the Security Office, the Yuquan Campus Hospital, the Logistics Group, and other departments, along with college leaders and new student representatives, walked onto the stage and led the whole audience in singing the anthem, bringing the atmosphere of the ceremony to a climax.

After the opening ceremony, orientation for new students began. Vice Dean Chen Weiying began with linguist Zhao Yuanren's words, "Seeing is not as good as hearing, and hearing is not as good as speaking," encouraging students to take pronunciation as an important step in learning Chinese well. She especially emphasized that in learning Chinese, one must not only dare to speak but also attach importance to accurate pronunciation, mastering tones and phonetic patterns through continuous imitation, practice, and correction. She also encouraged students to make full use of classroom, campus, and digital learning resources, continuously improving their Chinese ability in real communication, so that Chinese truly becomes a bridge to campus integration, greater understanding of China, and global connections.

Officers from the Hangzhou Entry-Exit Administration conducted legal and safety education, carefully interpreting policies related to foreigners' residence in China.

Golden autumn in Qiantang, Qiushi begins anew. Best wishes to all non degree Chinese language students at Zhejiang University: do not waste your youth, achieve success in your studies, and write a splendid chapter of "Studying at Zhejiang University."