Cultural exchange is a two-way street. It entails learning about one another's cultures and, in the process, rediscovering facets of your own. "Many of the visiting students were astounded by China's food delivery apps, allowing them to order and receive food often within 15 minutes," said Zhan. "This made us realize that we've grown so accustomed to this convenience that we scarcely notice it. Technology deserves credit."

Krasikova is already eagerly anticipating returning to China during the winter vacation. "I've forged friendships with many Chinese and international peers during my time in China. There are countless places in China that I'm eager to explore and study in — Hangzhou, Chongqing, Tianjin, and Hong Kong, just to name a few," she said.

Cultural exchange stands as a fundamental mission of BISU. "Our objective surpasses mere international exchanges or summer programs. We aspire that all our international friends can gain profound and comprehensive insights into China's modernization," Zhan concluded. "Meanwhile, we hope to learn from them too, approaching such projects with an open-minded perspective."