In September 2024, Harbin Engineering University welcomed the new semester for freshmen. The campus was filled with a joyous atmosphere of welcoming new students everywhere. The College of International Cooperative Education also welcomed new international students from various countries around the world with different skin colors and languages. In 2024, the university enrolled a total of 597 international students from 59 countries, covering 21 colleges. With different cultural backgrounds and customs, and with a love for Chinese culture and a thirst for knowledge, they gathered at Harbin Engineering University to start a brand-new learning journey, injecting new vitality and color into the school.

Now, let’s review the wonderful moments during the welcome period.

Opening Ceremony

On the afternoon of 24^th September, the opening ceremony for freshmen was grandly held in the multi-function hall of Qihang Activity Center. DING Xuezhong, dean of the College of International Cooperative Education, LIU Shusheng, vice-dean, JIN Yunlong and SUN Qian, officers of Harbin Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, management personnel of the Service Center of International Student and all teachers attended this opening ceremony. At the opening ceremony, Dean DING delivered a welcome speech to the new students. He proposed new-semester expectations for all new students, including “learning more about laws and regulations, making more Chinese friends, studying more scientific knowledge, practicing more Mandarin, and seeing more”, and wished all students to achieve academic success in the new semester.

Law and Security Education

At the opening ceremony, Officers JIN Yunlong and SUN Qian from Harbin Exit-Entry Administration Bureau introduced relevant Chinese laws and regulations to the new students. They explained policies regarding passports and visas, accommodation, employment, and security. Combining with typical cases, they urged international students to abide by the university’s rules and regulations and pay attention to personal and property safety.

New Students Entrance Education

The Teaching Management Office carried out a series of class meeting activities for all undergraduates and Chinese language students with the theme of “New Students Entrance Education”. Counselors provided detailed introductions from aspects, such as school facilities, job responsibilities of management personnel in the Service Center of International Student, visa processing, insurance, students apartment management, classroom discipline, attendance requirements, daily management, student status management, and graduation requirements to help new international students establish a correct learning attitude.

First Lesson of the New Semester

Since 9^th September, the College of International Cooperative Education has successively launched a series of “First Lesson of the New Semester” courses for new graduate, undergraduate, and doctoral students. The content covers five modules, including entrance education, legal and security education, mental health education, national conditions education, and cultural practice, to help new international students better understand the university, adapt to the new environment, and integrate into campus cultural life as soon as possible.

Mental Health Education

Teacher WANY Yan from the College of International Cooperative Education taught the first lesson of mental health education to new students. From aspects such as mental health census, introduction of mental health knowledge, and psychological adjustment methods, centering on cross-cultural communication skills, through various teaching forms such as classroom teaching and activity experience, students were helped to enhance their self-psychological adjustment ability, improve their frustration tolerance and adaptability, treat various psychological problems with a scientific attitude, and live a more fulfilling school life by cultivating good study and living habits.

National Conditions Education

Teacher JIANG Haomiao from the Chinese Training Department taught the first lesson of national conditions education, “Entering Northeast China and Entering Harbin Engineering University”, to international students, allowing them to understand China, Harbin, and Harbin Engineering University at the first time. Through Heilongjiang Province’s unique geographical location, landform features, old industrial bases, special cuisines, special cultural tourism, and special ice-snow culture, students were led to jointly appreciate the “beautiful scenery of Heilongjiang Province”. Through introducing the university’s history, professional advantages, and major scientific research achievements, the “charm of Harbin Engineering University” was shown to students.

Practical Education for Perception of China  

Next, the college will successively carry out a series of practical education activities for the perception of China. Combined with national conditions education courses, students will visit the Harbin Military Engineering Institute Memorial Hall, Harbin Planning Exhibition Hall, the Northeast Revolutionary Martyrs’ Memorial Hall, etc., enabling international students to truly perceive China, Heilongjiang Province, and Harbin Engineering University.