The exchange took place from May 29 to June 5. Participants joined classes, academic discussions, and cultural workshops. They also visited famous sites in Hengshui and Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei.

The American participants learned to make zongzi (sticky rice with assorted fillings wrapped in leaves) under their Chinese peers' guidance during Dragon Boat Festival, which fell on May 31. They also practiced Chinese martial arts and tried on traditional hanfu clothing.

"Celebrating with Chinese peers felt magical," said Sadie Staker, a UCM student. "I loved wearing hanfu and trying calligraphy."