By Jin Lu

This summer, Malaysian student Mithilesh Tew from the University of Nottingham Malaysia took part in a dragon dance performance at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, gaining a memorable cultural experience that drew attention both on campus and online.

Dressed in traditional red, Tew skillfully maneuvered the dragon, symbolizing power and good fortune and crafted with centuries-old Chinese folk techniques. A video of the performance quickly circulated among Chinese and Malaysian students, with many remarking on the shared cultural resonance despite their different backgrounds.

Tew, whose family has Fujian heritage, grew up steeped in Chinese traditions and language. Classics such as Journey to the West and Romance of the Three Kingdoms shaped his early understanding of Chinese culture. "My family always reminded me to remember my roots," he said.

Since arriving in Ningbo as a computer science exchange student in 2024, Tew has been struck by the university's integrated curriculum spanning China, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. Outside of class, he has explored local history and culture: visiting the Tianyige Museum and Laowaitan, sampling Ningbo cuisine, and trying Chinese boba tea that reminded him of home.

Tew's experience highlights a growing trend of Malaysian students in Ningbo who are combining academic study with cultural immersion, forming friendships and building connections that bridge national boundaries.