Bathed in radiant midsummer glow and bound by intertwined cultural heritage, the 2026 Summer Camp co-hosted by Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) and the Confucius Institute at the University of Miskolc, Hungary, ran triumphantly from June 21 to July 4 on the university’s campus. This program brought together 14 faculty and student delegates from the Hungarian Confucius Institute, alongside Chinese language instructors, painting and calligraphy tutors, art faculty of BUCT’s School of International Education, and supervising teachers from both institutions. Through immersive language workshops, diversified cultural immersion sessions, featured field study excursions and a full spectrum of thematic activities, the camp erected an elite platform for in-depth communication, mutual learning and reciprocal appreciation between young Chinese and Hungarian generations.
On July 2, the Summer Camp Exchange Session & Closing Ceremony was grandly convened at the B1 Conference Center of the High-End Precision Building on BUCT’s Chaoyang Campus. Yan Hong, Vice Dean of the School of International Education at BUCT; Gergely Noémi (Amy), supervising teacher of the Confucius Institute at the University of Miskolc, Hungary; and all 13 Hungarian camp participants attended the ceremony, with the entire faculty team of the Chinese Language Center and International Student Affairs Office of the School of International Education present. The closing ceremony was hosted by Liu Qiuyue, a faculty member of the School of International Education.
At the ceremony, Hungarian supervising teacher Amy delivered an address, fondly recapitulating the two-week immersive study journey of the summer camp. She first extended her heartfelt gratitude to BUCT for its elaborate preparation, warm hospitality and meticulous logistical support. She remarked that this summer camp has opened an invaluable portal for Hungarian youth to perceive the allure of the Chinese language and unravel the mysteries of Chinese civilization. During immersive Chinese learning, participants polished their linguistic proficiency; through visits to time-honored cultural landmarks, hands-on experience of traditional arts and exposure to local folk customs, they gained a panoramic insight into the profound legacy of China’s 5,000-year civilization and the vibrant vitality of contemporary China. She confessed that this fulfilling, heartwarming study expedition would evolve into an irreplaceable, exclusive memory etched in every camper’s lifetime.
Subsequently, Vice Dean Yan Hong conferred official graduation certificates upon all Hungarian camp participants and presented letters of appreciation to Hungarian supervising teacher Amy, formally witnessing the full completion of all study and research assignments by the delegates.
Four Hungarian camp representatives, namely Sallai Dominik (Deming), Kaczur Emilia (Meli), Driczku Valéria (Vili) and Kovács-Kerülő Krisztina (Kexinyi), took the floor in succession to express sincere gratitude to the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, as well as all faculty, staff and volunteers who offered all-round support throughout the program. The students shared their abundant academic gains and reflective insights: they not only consolidated their foundational Chinese language competence and attained an in-depth understanding of the core essence of Chinese language and culture, but also forged friendships with peers from diverse backgrounds amid daily companionship, fostering genuine comprehension and tolerance for cross-cultural communication. Multiple delegates recounted their transformative growth through personal anecdotes: Deming elaborated on how he broke through linguistic barriers, took initiative in cross-cultural dialogue and progressively refined his intercultural communication capabilities; Meli acquired a more multi-dimensional perception of China’s historical lineage and social humanistic values by exploring historical relics and engaging in campus cultural events; Kexinyi highlighted that in-depth collaborative exchanges with Chinese students drastically broadened her global vision; Vili, immersed in the daily rhythms of Beijing’s urban life, grew increasingly enamored of the Chinese language and Chinese culture, voicing her aspiration to pursue further studies in China in the future and dedicate herself to advancing Sino-Hungarian cultural exchange.
The closing ceremony was permeated with a rich artistic ambience, as Hungarian campers delivered a spectacular repertoire of traditional Chinese cultural performances brimming with oriental charm, drawing sustained warm applause from the audience. The classical dance The Immortal Hermit featured lithe, graceful postures and an elegant, timeless aura; with delicate, fluid body language, it perfectly embodied the soft yet resilient spirit and classical artistic conception of traditional Chinese dance. The pipa solo Slow, Slow Song unfolded with melodious, lingering tunes, eloquently conveying the tender poetic grace of classical ci poetry and the distinctive enchantment of traditional Chinese folk instrumental music. The Five-Step Tai Chi Wushu showcase struck a harmonious balance between softness and strength, with standardized, fluid movements and well-modulated rhythms, fully manifesting the profound profundity of Chinese martial arts and the aesthetic power of oriental vitality. Infusing age-old cultural heritage with contemporary youthful aesthetics, the campers enveloped the entire ceremony in an immersive atmosphere of integrated Sino-Hungarian cultural convergence.
Following the performances, Hungarian supervising teacher Amy presented honorary certificates to outstanding volunteers of the summer camp. She lauded BUCT’s volunteer team for their sincere service and selfless dedication, and fully acknowledged their pivotal contributions to event organization, cross-linguistic coordination and comprehensive on-site support throughout the program.
Fu Junping, a student volunteer representative of BUCT, shared reflections on his volunteer experience. He stated that full participation in camp logistics and coordination had not only cultivated his comprehensive capabilities in communication, coordination and overall planning, but also yielded sincere friendships forged alongside the Hungarian campers during their study and travel journeys. Looking back on the two weeks of daily companionship, joint learning and shared excursions, every fleeting moment of young Chinese and Hungarian peers exploring Chinese culture and exchanging youthful aspirations remained warm and unforgettable. In closing, he extended his best wishes to all campers, hoping this cross-continental encounter would remain a cherished lifelong memory for everyone.
Vice Dean Yan Hong delivered a concluding address. She extended her warmest congratulations to all Hungarian camp participants on successfully completing the summer camp study program, and voiced sincere appreciation to all dedicated instructors and student volunteers who devoted their utmost efforts. She noted that anchored in linguistic connectivity and cultural mutual appreciation, this summer camp had built a premium platform for young people from both nations to broaden their horizons, refine themselves and pioneer innovative exchange models, effectively empowering young scholars to elevate their cross-cultural communication competence and innovative thinking literacy. She pointed out that through immersive field research, Hungarian youth had intimately touched the warmth of outstanding traditional Chinese culture, witnessed the technological advancement and urban landscapes of new-era China, and felt the sincere amity of Chinese faculty and students. Meanwhile, she offered earnest exhortations to all campers: to treasure the knowledge and insights gained from this study tour, uphold an enterprising exploratory spirit and innovative drive, consolidate the bond of Sino-Hungarian friendly exchange, strive to become youthful ambassadors bridging Chinese and Hungarian cultures and facilitating mutual learning between civilizations, and continuously compose new chapters of friendly interactions between young people of the two countries.
Amid resounding applause, the 2026 Beijing University of Chemical Technology – University of Miskolc Confucius Institute Summer Camp Exchange Session & Closing Ceremony drew a successful curtain.
The year 2026 marks the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary. To proactively respond to initiatives advancing in-depth Sino-Hungarian people-to-people exchanges and deepening bilateral friendly cooperation, under the meticulous guidance and robust support of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, BUCT’s Confucius Institute at the University of Miskolc secured approval and successfully hosted the 2026 Chinese Bridge inbound youth exchange program for international students, following the fruitful implementation of the 2025 edition. The triumphant staging of this Hungarian youth language and cultural immersion camp stands as a vivid embodiment of BUCT’s earnest implementation of China’s national strategy for people-to-people exchanges, as well as a vital initiative to consolidate Sino-Hungarian people-to-people bonds, foster mutual affection among youth of both nations and deliver reciprocal empowerment.
The fruitful execution of this summer camp further consolidated the cooperative foundation between Beijing University of Chemical Technology and the University of Miskolc, deepened the emotional bonds and cultural identity shared by young Chinese and Hungarian people, and powerfully burnished the international education brand of “Study at BUCT”. Looking ahead, BUCT will persist in delving into the realm of international educational exchange, further deepen inter-university cooperation between China and foreign nations, and normalize academic connectivity, cultural mutual appreciation and youth interaction activities. Through sustained, diversified international exchange and collaboration, the university will pen brand-new chapters of win-win friendship between the two institutions and the two nations.
