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 17-member team of faculty and students from Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) have recently conducted an eight-day research program in Greece. In that program, students engaged with local communities, visited cultural institutions and collected firsthand insights to better understand Greek society and promote cross-cultural communication.

Greece was chosen as their destination because School of Journalism and Communication at SISU has long cooperated with the country, and one of its professors currently serves as the Chinese principal of the Confucius Institute at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece. In this program, she provided the team members with the opportunity to engage in face-to-face exchanges with Greek students.

The research team collected first-hand information in three groups during their stay in Greece. Students explored local communities, interviewed residents and business owners, and visited Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Hellenic Republic and the Confucius Institute and School of Journalism at Aristotle University. They also walked through hidden alleys, local markets, and small cafés.

Although the students had done extensive background research before and experts in Greek studies had been invited to give  lectures on Greece culture, their initial impressions differed significantly from their expectations upon arrival in Greece. All team members were impressed by artistic graffiti on the wall. A team member, Ge Jinyue, was also struck by the stunning seaside sunset.

Night-time economy was also a focus of research. According to Zhu Bingqi, whose group investigated this topic, the situation on the ground proved to be much better than anticipated. During interviews with locals, all member were surprised to find that many Greek people were really enthusiastic and hoped to see more cultural exchanges between Greek and China.

During the interviews, students also had many memorable moments. For example, the team was surprised to learn that the owner had once studied Chinese at SISU for a year while interviewing a shop assistant at a local souvenir store. After the interview, They even exchanged WeChat.

Zhongshan Yunran, one member of the research team, said her most unforgettable moment was watching a performance on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival at Athens’ oldest theater. She was deeply impressed by the strong sense of cultural passion among the Greek audience. Despite the heavy rain and an hour-long delay, most of the people waiting in line, and they patiently stayed until the show finally began.

The research trip to Greece gave the students an immersive experience in international communication. Xue Yicheng, one member of the research team, emphasized the need for more international communication to correct misunderstandings and share China’s real image. Zhongshan Yunran pointed out that experiencing local life is a useful way to tell true stories.

In the future, the team plans to compile their research findings into a publication.