American Youth’s “Chinese Holiday”: Curiosity is the Bridge, Tolerance the Boat

During the National Day holiday, Fei Qiang, an American international student at Zhejiang University’s Haining International Campus, packed his bags and embarked on a “westward journey”—first to Xi’an, then to Lanzhou, Dunhuang and other places to discover the customs and customs of northwest China.

What he is most looking forward to during this trip is eating a bowl of authentic northwest mutton noodles. “This is my favorite food in China.”

Studying in China and traveling around China have become the daily routine of this American young man.

Fei Qiang is a 2025 Master of Chinese Studies student at the International Joint Business School, Haining International Campus, Zhejiang University. Before coming to China, he studied political science and international affairs at Northeastern University in the United States.

On October 3, Fei Qiang was in Xi'an. (provided by interviewee)

"When I was studying in the United States, I discovered that one of the most important bilateral relations in the world today is the US-China relationship." Fei Qiang said that nowadays, more and more American young people are turning their attention to China, and he is one of them. “American youth’s willingness to learn about China is increasing.”

In his last semester in the United States, he took Chinese as an elective out of interest, and his teacher recommended him to participate in a summer program in Nanjing. It was his first time in China and he stayed with a local family.

Living with a host family in Nanjing gave him the most vivid and warm understanding of China. The companionship day and night, the fireworks at three daily meals, and the chats on evening walks made him truly appreciate the warmth and tradition of Chinese families.

This experience made him decide to apply for a master's degree in Chinese studies at Zhejiang University to gain a systematic understanding of China's economy, history and culture.

His campus is located in Haining, Jiaxing, Zhejiang. Haining's slow pace of life and simple folk customs gave him an excellent immersive experience environment.

He often encourages international students around him who are coming to China for the first time to go out of campus, go into the streets, and actively communicate with local people. “You can learn a lot in the classroom, but the real world is the best classroom.”

In his spare time, he likes to walk around and experience China's natural beauty and cultural heritage during down-to-earth short trips.

On December 21, 2025, Fei Qiang (middle) gave a haircut to a local elderly man in Haining, Zhejiang. (Information picture provided by Haining Volunteer Association)

Fei Qiang also organized international students to do volunteer services at Haining Nursing Home. He washed and dried the old man's hair and even learned how to cut it. "I didn't cut well, but the old people didn't care. They were happy to have company. My grandfather and grandmother were lonely in the last few years before they died, which made me understand the meaning of companionship."

In addition to studying, he also used his summer vacation to intern at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. "This internship gave me a deep understanding of the huge space for cooperation between the United States and China. More and more American companies are considering China as an important market."

People often ask him what he will do after graduation. Fei Qiang said that it has not been determined yet, but the direction is clear - to bridge the cognitive gap between young people in the United States and China. "Exchanges between young students are very important, and I hope to help everyone understand each other."

Along the way, Fei Qiang has used the two keywords of "curiosity" and "tolerance" to define his life in China - always maintaining curiosity about Chinese culture and society, constantly exploring and learning, and broadening his knowledge; facing cultural differences with an easy-going and tolerant attitude, and calmly resolving various problems in traveling life.

During the National Day holiday, he headed west. Outside the train window is the vast land of China; in the carriage, an American young man continues to measure China in his eyes with curiosity and easy-going. (over)