As the golden autumn begins, a new journey of pursuing dreams unfolds. On September 14, the International Department of the College of Chinese and ASEAN Arts at Chengdu University welcomed its new students of the 2026 cohort. Students from 27 countries across five continents traveled from afar to gather here, setting a new record for international enrollment and further diversifying the student body’s national composition. Students from the United States, Latvia, Chile, Peru, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Poland joined for the first time, further expanding the scope of our student body. With the welcome theme "Plant a Seed, Wait for a Flower to Bloom," the International Department serves as a convergence point for diverse cultures, where the symphony of youth begins to play, and the brand of international arts education shines ever brighter.
With the help of international volunteers, the new students moved smoothly into their dormitories. The registration site featured a warm atmosphere and innovative arrangements. The International Department linked each step of enrollment through an immersive experience, helping new students quickly settle in. At 9:00 a.m., the "Campus Treasure Hunt" began. New students made their way across campus, taking photos and checking in at different spots to capture the joy of their first arrival. Upon reaching the G1001 International Student Affairs Hall, they were guided by faculty and student volunteers through a one-stop enrollment process, including dormitory registration, processing of required official documents, and document verification. There the students wrote down their hopes for the future on message cards, quietly planting the seeds of their dreams.
On this new soil, the stories of two such seeds are especially moving.
MAGNA SUSAN LEFFLER, the first American degree-seeking student of the International Department, previously studied at the Confucius Institute jointly established by Chengdu University and the University of New Hampshire. The seeds of Chinese culture quietly sprouted in the classroom, drawing her deeply to Chinese culture and ultimately leading her to Chengdu University to pursue a master's degree. From the Confucius Institute to the Chengdu University campus, her journey is a vivid reflection of the university's achievements in international cultural exchange and talent cultivation; it also marks the first breakthrough in the International Department's cultivation of American degree-seeking students.
JEKATERINA BAIJE, the first Latvian international student of the International Department, previously visited the college with a short-term delegation. That immersive experience allowed her to feel the college's rich artistic atmosphere and inclusive, diverse campus culture, and her sincere recognition strengthened her decision to study in China. From "short-term visit to China" to "long-term study in China", from "first encounter" to "deep engagement", her choice is a vivid testament to the lasting reach of the college's international exchange mechanisms.
Drawn by the fragrance, the flowers will bloom in time. The students' choices vividly reflect the lasting influence of the university's international exchange mechanisms and stand as a living testament to the college's continuous efforts to enhance its international appeal and visibility.
This year's orientation period runs from September 13 to September 22. In addition to regular orientation activities, the International Department has specially organized a class-based co-planting activity themed "Artful Planting, Growing Together". On registration day, new students planted potted greenery by class and placed the plants on display stands. In subsequent themed class meetings and daily life, they will take turns caring for them. Through the tangible process of nurturing living plants, the activity builds class cohesion, fosters friendships among classmates, and accompanies and bears witness to each student's process of taking root and growing.
Over the coming week, a series of themed sessions will be held on campus life, entry and immigration policies, road safety, and cross-cultural adaptation. Designed to address new students' key needs in study, daily life, safety, and cultural integration, these sessions will help them understand university regulations and expectations, dispel confusion, adapt quickly to their new roles, and embark on their campus journey with peace of mind.
The International Department has consistently adhered to the educational philosophy of "grounded in ASEAN, oriented toward the world, integrating arts and education, and jointly cultivating talent." It continues to deepen international exchange and cooperation in arts education, expand overseas recruitment channels, optimize the structure of its international student body, and enhance the quality of international education.
Looking ahead, the college will leverage high-quality international platforms to further deepen Chinese-foreign exchanges in arts and culture and the joint cultivation of international arts talent. It will build a broad and inclusive stage for young students from around the world to grow and thrive, enabling more seeds that have traveled from afar to take root, sprout, and blossom here, while continuing to strengthen its distinctive brand of China-ASEAN arts exchange and cooperation.
Editor: Min Xiuling Executive Editor: Lyu Jia
