STORY: Photo exhibition marks Croatian students' 20 years of cross-cultural education in China
SHOOTING TIME: May 2, 2024
DATELINE: May 4, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:01
LOCATION: Zagreb
CATEGORY: CULTURE/EDUCATION

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the exhibition at the University of Zagreb
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Croatian): IVANA BULJAN, Head of the Department of Sinology at the University of Zagreb
3. various of attendees
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Croatian): FLORENCE FABIANEC, Graduate of the Department of Sinology, the University of Zagreb
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Croatian): ANA TOMICIC, Student at the Department of Sinology, the University of Zagreb

STORYLINE:

A special photo exhibition was held Thursday at the University of Zagreb, offering a glimpse of the experiences of Croatian students studying in China over the past two decades.

These photos were shot by Croatian students of the Department of Sinology, who had undergone language and postgraduate training in China during the last 20 years.

Visitors at the exhibition had the chance to explore China's diverse landscapes, culture, and cuisine as seen through the eyes of these students.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Croatian): IVANA BULJAN, Head of the Department of Sinology at the University of Zagreb
"The exhibition was set up on the occasion of (Croatian students') 20 years of study in Sinology and the start of regular studies of Sinology in China.
The exhibition is entitled 'Landscapes, Faces and Tastes of China -- China through the perspective of sinology students.'
Students who traveled to China were mostly delighted and wanted to prolong their stay there.
That's how we got these interesting photos, everything that was interesting to them, what surprised them, what they liked.
Also, the exhibition is interesting because it allows us here in Croatia to see extraordinary views of China and to learn about China through a cultural perspective."

In 2004, sinology was introduced at the University of Zagreb, initially as an elective subject.

Starting from this year, the University of Zagreb has decided to upgrade sinology from a minor to a major, making the university the first institution of higher education in Croatia to offer sinology degrees.

With the support of Chinese government scholarships, an increasing number of Croatian students have been able to travel to China and learn more about Chinese culture.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Croatian): FLORENCE FABIANEC, Graduate of the Department of Sinology, the University of Zagreb
"It was very interesting to study Chinese, get to know a new view of the world, get to know a new culture, the language entanglements, and Chinese humor.
Thanks to the Chinese government, I received a scholarship to travel to Chengdu in Sichuan Province."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Croatian): ANA TOMICIC, Student at the Department of Sinology, the University of Zagreb
"It was phenomenal. I was really surprised because I flew from Rome, and when I returned, I felt like I had returned from the 24th century to the 19th century in those Roman streets.
I was delighted by Wuhan."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Zagreb.
(XHTV)