江苏留学网

Galchaev Umed, a Tajikistan student studying at the Changzhou Vocational Institute of Light Industry shows a guest how to use a treadmill, as part of his social practice at a local Shangri-La Hotel this summer. [Photo/czili.edu.cn]

From a cautious “hello” to relaxed conversations with others, the 17 overseas students from Changzhou Vocational Institute of Light Industry have experienced an immense improvement in their Chinese language proficiency in the last two months. 

Major part of their summer holidays was spent attending social practices at local libraries and hotels, instead of going back home and escaping the hot weather. 

For example, Sattorov Mansur from Tajikistan served as a security officer at the local Shangri-La Hotel; he helped guests park cars and fill in courier receipts. Galchaev Umed, who took advantage of his former experience as a free combat athlete in Tajikistan, gave guests fitness instructions at the hotel gym.