MCM College recently held a sharing session on the “Experiential Learning Exchange Trip for the Empowerment of Cultural Engagement.” The event aimed to provide students who had participated in field studies and in-depth research in Henan with an opportunity to share their learning outcomes after personally experiencing the profundity of Central Plains culture and the enduring heritage of Chinese civilization.

During the session, four student groups presented their findings from the cultural study tour in diverse and engaging formats:

Tracing the Origins of Central Plains Culture 

Focusing on Henan’s pivotal role as the cradle of Chinese civilization, students explored sites such as the Songyang Academy, Yinxu Museum, and the ancient ruins of Luoyang. They examined the profound historical accumulation and evolution of Central Plains culture across philosophy, institutions, and the arts, highlighting its enduring significance as the backbone of Chinese culture.

Exploring Buddhist Cultural Heritage 

Centering on the Buddhist art of the Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes, this group delved into the integration and mutual development of Buddhism and indigenous Chinese culture following its introduction to the Central Plains. They analyzed the philosophical and historical values embodied in Buddhist architecture and sculpture.

Inquiring into Daoist Culture

Focusing on cultural sites such as Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden and Lao Jun Mountain, students introduced the distinctive role and far-reaching influence of Daoist thought within traditional Chinese culture. They also shared reflections on Daoist principles such as reverence for nature and the pursuit of harmony, considering their relevance in a contemporary context.

Cultural Empowerment and Legacy “Divine light shines over China”

This group creatively centered their presentation around the theme ‘Cultural Empowerment and Legacy “Divine light shines over China,”’ producing an impactful music video as their project outcome. The video combined majestic footage of Henan’s historical sites, documentary clips from the field study, and heartfelt performances by the students. Through modern audiovisual language, it vividly conveyed their interpretation of cultural inheritance and innovation in Chinese civilization.

Link to MV: https://youtu.be/_MqozHMCUrs

The sharing session served not only as a culmination of the cultural study tour but also as an educational experience fostering cultural confidence. Through preparation, field visits, and creative post-tour sharing, students comprehensively enhanced their research skills, collaborative spirit, and ability to express ideas across media formats. By walking through history, engaging with culture, and reinterpreting tradition through creativity, they demonstrated a proactive commitment to cultural inheritance as a new generation of learners.