The Discover China Program, which brings international students to China for a two-week academic and cultural exchange, began on Tuesday at Beijing Foreign Studies University, aiming to help participants "gain deeper insights into China while building bridges between China and the international community," according to the university's vice president.

Now in its second year, the program is part of BFSU's efforts to support China's initiative to invite 50,000 American youths to the country over five years, a goal proposed in 2023 to boost people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

The first session, which runs through June 29, includes 13 students from U.S. institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Wyoming and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Participants will explore landmarks including the Palace Museum, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.

The second session will host about 40 students from Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Greece, with scheduled visits to Beijing and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.

"The program combines lectures, seminars and site visits to offer young people from the U.S. and around the world a rich hands-on learning experience," said Zhao Gang, vice president of BFSU.

"International students will be able to visit key historical and cultural landmarks in just a few days, immerse themselves in intangible cultural heritage, and witness both the richness of China's traditions and the new achievements of China's development," he said.

Tang Jinlan, dean of the Institute of Online Education at BFSU, said the program's core value lies in facilitating direct interactions.

"We believe that face-to-face, people-to-people communication and understanding in today's increasingly complex global landscape is essential," she said. "To truly understand a place, one must move beyond descriptions and reports. There is unparalleled value in seeing with your own eyes, hearing with your own ears and feeling with your heart."

Tang said attendees of last year's program "returned home not only with souvenirs but with stories, new perspectives and friendships that shape their understanding of this vast and ancient land."

Participants expressed a variety of motivations for joining the program.

"I've been studying the Chinese language and culture for the past year. I'm excited to see what I've learned being put to use, practice my language skills and compare what I've learned in a book with what I see in real life," said Sarah Elizabeth Detwiler from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

"I've always been interested in China. I think it's one of the most important countries to know about, given its significant history and global power," said Ashley Nicole Blake, a social sciences student from Harvard. "Culturally, I find it really amazing, with so many layers to discover. I watch a ton of Chinese dramas, but I also love traditional music and clothing and how fashion has progressed through history. I think those things are really influential."