International students share cultures at Tsinghua SIGS carnival

International students join hands and dance during the 2026 Tsinghua SIGS International Cultural Carnival in Shenzhen yesterday. Courtesy of event organizer

International students showcased their cultures through food, traditional crafts, games and performances at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (Tsinghua SIGS) yesterday, bringing young people together to share traditions and learn from one another.

The 2026 Tsinghua SIGS International Cultural Carnival featured 26 themed booths representing 21 cultures. Organized by the school’s Office of Global Affairs, the event brought together international and Chinese students for an immersive cultural experience on campus.

At the booths, students introduce their home cultures through traditional snacks, handicrafts and interactive activities. Visitors could sample Moroccan mint tea, Thai milk tea and Malaysian desserts, try Vietnamese bamboo dancing, or explore Russian matryoshka dolls and traditional costumes.

The Mexican booth offered music, tacos and a traditional game, inviting visitors to experience the country’s culture through food and play.

Mexican students Alejandro Maldonado (L) and Carlos Gallegos wear traditional sombreros and national soccer jerseys at the 2026 Tsinghua SIGS International Cultural Carnival yesterday. Shao Jingfeng

“Everyone here is united, we’re exchanging our cultures,” said Alejandro Maldonado from Mexico. “I appreciate the opportunity by Tsinghua to give us this space to communicate and interchange our culture and our thoughts.”

Students from Singapore also brought a selection of local snacks to share with their peers.

“We really enjoy today’s event as the organizer, and it’s very heartening to see so many students enjoying themselves here,” said Liu Shangzhi from Singapore.

Singaporean students Liu Shangzhi (L) and Tang Jiaxi during an interview with Shenzhen Daily at the Singapore booth during the carnival. Shao Jingfeng

Chinese culture featured prominently alongside international traditions. Activities organized by Taoyuan Subdistrict in Nanshan included candied hawthorn, lacquer-fan art and traditional shadow-cutting crafts, allowing international students to explore Chinese folk culture firsthand.

Traditional Chinese opera and lively folk dance performances added to the festive atmosphere, while booths offering admissions information, scholarships and services for international residents provided practical support for the campus community.

More than a showcase of national traditions, the carnival offered international students a chance to share their identities, discover unfamiliar customs and form friendships through everyday interactions. By creating space for conversation, creativity and shared experiences, the event highlighted how youth exchange can foster mutual understanding in an increasingly connected world.