Editor's note: We have asked participants of Shanghai universities' summer programs for foreigners to share their stories. Dmitrii V. Tsvetkov, a Chinese language teacher in Saint-Petersburg State University of Culture in Russia, participated in the 2023 Experience Diverse China Summer Program by East China Normal University.

My name is Dmitrii V. Tsvetkov, and my Chinese name is Qi Weide (齊偉德). I am from Saint-Petersburg, Russia. I'm currently a Chinese language teacher in Saint-Petersburg State University of Culture.

I'm also a scholar researching topics like traditional Chinese culture, the history of China and cultural relations between China and foreign countries. I love China and the Chinese, and feel very happy every time I am in China.

This is my fourth trip to China and my first time in Shanghai. The first three trips were to Beijing, where I studied.

There are many aspects of Shanghai that are familiar to me like language, culture and cuisine. There are also many things that are completely new to me, like being in a new university with new people.

East China Normal University is one of the most famous and largest universities in China. It has a large and modern campus, and many faculties and institutes. The university also has a very strong scientific and educational foundation. It is a great honor for me to be able to study at ECNU.

During my four-week exchange in Shanghai, I attended Chinese classes, cultural programs and visited many interesting places like Suzhou Creek, Anfu Road, and the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

My fellow exchange students and I also had lunch and shared conversations with Chinese families in Shanghai. This was an amazing and unique experience!

I got the chance to tour places like the Bund, the Museum of History of Shanghai, Jing'an Temple, Yufo Temple, Longhua Temple, and Yuyuan Garden myself.

During my short stay in Shanghai I met many lovely and interesting people from different countries. It was wonderful being able to study with them and make new friends. I hope we will continue to stay in touch after this program ends and we return to our respective countries.

I'm very happy that I was able to be a part of this program at ECNU. Staying in this university in Shanghai allowed me to learn more about China and the Chinese, and improve my language skills.

My new experience has inspired me to continue researching Chinese history and culture, and to share my new knowledge with my students and give them more motivation to study Chinese.