Students from the School of Business at Suzhou University of Science and Technology visit Youxin Comprehensive Market in Suzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: Youxinmarket928]

Youxin Comprehensive Market in Suzhou was filled with an unusual burst of energy on the last day of 2025. More than 40 overseas students from the School of Business at Suzhou University of Science and Technology moved through the market, switching easily between fluent English and confident Chinese, adding a cross-cultural note to the year-end bustle.

The visit featured a lively brainstorming session with the market's management team. Discussions ranged from product mix and pricing strategies to ways of reaching younger consumers through online platforms. Drawing on retail experiences from their home countries, the students offered fresh and practical ideas for the market's future development.

For the students, who come from countries including Ghana, Sierra Leone, the Central African Republic and Zimbabwe, the market was more than a place of commerce. It served as a window into everyday life in China. From fresh produce and made-to-order snacks to affordable daily necessities, the details of the market offered a firsthand look at how convenience and affordability shape local livelihoods.

Faculty members from the university's School of Business said the activity was designed to take learning beyond the classroom. By immersing students in real business settings, they hope to strengthen practical skills while building bridges for cultural exchange between China and the wider world.