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A group of 25 staff and students from the ���Ҵ�ý (UWTSD) departed for China on 22 June 2025 for a two-week cultural and educational exchange hosted by Beijing Union University (BUU), a long-standing partner of UWTSD’s Confucius Institute.

The student cohort includes both undergraduate and postgraduate learners from a diverse range of academic disciplines, including art, archaeology and ancient history, philosophy, creative writing, gastronomy, and business. The visit represents a unique opportunity to broaden their horizons and gain deeper insights into contemporary Chinese culture, heritage, and academic life.

This visit is the result of the strong and growing partnership between UWTSD and BUU and reflects both institutions’ commitment to delivering transformative international experiences. Many of the students expressed a desire to develop a more nuanced understanding of China, which they hope will inform their future studies and careers.

Funding for the visit has been generously provided by the Confucius Institute, in collaboration with the Welsh Government’s , which supports international learning exchange opportunities for students and staff across Wales.

The itinerary features a rich mix of cultural and academic activities, including visits to landmark sites such as the Forbidden City, the 798 Art District, and the Archaeological Museum of China. BUU has also curated bespoke workshops for the group, including hands-on sessions in the university’s archaeology laboratory and the Beijing Ceramic Museum, where students will learn the traditional art of seal cutting - a centuries-old technique for carving stone stamps used in art and official documentation.

In addition to enriching students’ academic experience, the visit provides UWTSD staff with the opportunity to initiate new collaborative projects with BUU’s colleges of art, tourism, and hospitality. These initiatives aim to deepen creative and educational exchanges between the two universities.

At the conclusion of the trip, each student will be invited to produce a vlog, video presentation, or reflective essay to share their personal takeaways and insights from the journey.

Krystyna Krajewska, Executive Director of the UWTSD Confucius Institute, commented:

“This visit is a wonderful example of what international education should be - immersive, inspiring, and rooted in meaningful collaboration. We’re proud to work with BUU to offer our students and staff such a rich and varied programme. For many of our students, this is their first time in China, and we hope the experience will have a lasting impact on their academic and personal growth.”

Kath Griffiths from UWTSD’s Go Global team added:

“At UWTSD, we believe that the most valuable learning often happens beyond the classroom. This trip to China gives our students and staff the chance to experience a different culture firsthand, to build international friendships, and to see the world and their place in it from a new perspective. We’re proud to support opportunities like this that broaden horizons and inspire global citizenship.”

For more information, please email k.krajewska@uwtsd.ac.uk

Further Information

Arwel Lloyd

Principal PR and Communications Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email:  arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467076