Campus builds global connections

Kurbonov Temurmalik has been busy lately making baklava — a kind of pastry from West Asia — along with preparing traditional clothing from his home country. At the school's RE-26 Carnival this month, he and his classmates will set up a booth to showcase the culture of Uzbekistan and help raise funds for charity.

"We hope to gain a deeper understanding of other countries' traditional cultures and customs while showcasing our own," said Temurmalik.

Every April, Yinghua Academy of Tianjin in Wuqing district holds a grand charity carnival. Entirely led and planned by students, the event has been held for five consecutive years, drawing nearly 3,000 participants each year from China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Bulgaria, and other countries.

The venue buzzes with vibrant booths and market stalls, including a Belt and Road-themed specialty street, creative workshops, and a variety of handmade cultural items.

All funds raised during the event are donated, in the name of the Yinghua Yiqi Charity Foundation, to the Sunshine Counseling Center for Rare Diseases (Tianjin), supporting individuals with rare diseases and children with Down syndrome.

For Temurmalik, the carnival is more than a one-day event. It reflects his own journey in China.

He came to study in the international students department of Yinghua Academy two years ago after graduating from junior high school in Uzbekistan. Since its establishment in 2005, the department has enrolled over 500 international students from 24 countries.

"During these two years, I've not only gained knowledge and friendship but also experienced the more delicate aspects of traditional Chinese culture through elective courses like paper-cutting and calligraphy," he said. "I also hope to have the opportunity to apply to the best universities in China."

According to Li Xiaolin, a teacher at the department, each classroom brings together students from five to seven different countries, sitting side by side. Daily interactions — sharing meals, working on group projects, and preparing for events like the carnival — become natural opportunities for cultural exchange.

"Some students not only improve their Chinese proficiency but also pick up several other languages, largely influenced by their classmates," Li said. "The classroom is like a 'mini-United Nations', and each student serves as a cultural ambassador."