On yesterday morning (April 11), a French student Luana(卢安娜) expertly cut the red paper in her hand into a “春” (means spring in English) pattern during the paper-cutting course. On April 10, 25 teachers and students from French Mâcon Péronne Lycée Lamartine Middle School arrived in Foshan and started a 10-day exchange activity in Nanhai Experimental High School, the Affiliated High School of South China Normal University (SCNU), paper-cut was one of the experiential activities during the exchange.

　　
Apart from Chinese cultural experiential courses of paper-cut, Cantonese Opera and Ba Duan Jin (a method of Chinese traditional health care), the school will also lead French guests to visit famous scenic spots in Guangzhou and Foshan city and separately arrange them to homestay in Foshan locals. Since 2004, it’s the 14th time for Nanhai Experimental High School, the Affiliated High School of SCNU to invite sister school students from France to Foshan. Nearly 30 students from a middle school in France will also come to Foshan for an exchange activity next Tuesday.

"There are Chinese optional courses in Lycée Lamartine Middle School and they are very popular among students. All of the students participating in this exchange activity in Foshan have chosen Chinese optional courses.” Luana said. Paper-cut is also taught in France, so they are able to complete a paper-cut with certain difficulty by their own. But this visit in Foshan made them learn more about Chinese paper-cut culture.

　
At the night they arrived in Foshan, Luana stayed at Luo Fangyuan, a grade two student’s home. They felt like old friends at the first meet and talked about French gourmet and hobbies. Luo Fangyuan’s father also made a pot of Pu’er tea for Luana. “They are really enthusiastic, which touched me a lot.” Luana expressed. She said she has tried Chinese tea in France before, but it seemed to be green tea. She wants to know more about Chinese tea.

 
On the way back home, Luana was smiling when watching out of the window and she showed curiosity towards the bright lights outside the window. She was quite cute. This is a rare opportunity for Luana to experience the real life of Foshan families.” Said Luo Fangyuan. “I also want to take this opportunity to improve my French and learn more about majors of universities in France.” A week ago, Luo Fangyuan has made a plan to taste Chinese gourmet with Luana after class every day and a schedule of visiting Foshan was arranged at weekends.

　
"Foshan people are always smiling and they are friendly.” The leading teacher of Lycée Lamartine Middle School Dominy said. She hoped that students of France and China will make friends with each other and broaden their eyes through the activity.

 
The principle of the Nanhai Experimental High School, the Affiliated High School of SCNU Liang Jianwei indicated that this inviting French students to China is aiming to strengthen the communication between students in Chinese-French class and that from French sister school students, providing an opportunity for French students to feel the cultural customs and lifestyles of China, and to experience the fresh and diversified life. Meanwhile, Liang also hoped that French students can tell “Foshan stories” and make more French students know about Foshan.

(Eleanor)