By Jin Yuhan

Recently, forty Chinese and international students from the Business School of Ningbo University gathered in the paddy fields of Taokeng Village, Fenghua District, to take part in "New Rice Festival".

This cultural immersion event aimed to demonstrate the achievements of China's rural reform and development while fostering a stronger connection between international students and the city of Ningbo. The students engaged in various agricultural activities, sharing in the joy of the harvest.

The highlight of the event was a rice-cutting contest. The international students eagerly rolled up their pant legs and stepped into the fields, ready for the challenge. At the referee's signal, they began cutting rice with enthusiasm, wielding scythes as they competed to see who could reap the fastest. Some students teamed up to speed up their efforts, while others stood along the field's edge, cheering on their friends with excitement. Lanna, a student from Uzbekistan, captured the lively scene with her camera.

At the soy milk station, students followed local artisans as they soaked soybeans and ground them using traditional stone mills. In no time, a large bucket of fresh soy milk was produced through their collective efforts. Malec from Morocco, participating in his first harvest festival, exclaimed with delight that it was a truly enjoyable experience.

The students also dug for sweet potatoes, picked oranges, sang together in the rice fields, and sampled a variety of Fenghua's local specialties

"This open-air cultural immersion in the paddy fields gives our students the opportunity to connect with rural life, gain an understanding of agriculture, and experience the value of hard work. It reflects the qualities that the new generation of 'Zhejiang Youth' should embody," said Wu Min, Deputy Party Secretary of Ningbo University Business School.