Students participated in the UCMSR International Summer Program pose for a group photo at Xiamen University, Fujian province. [Photo/xmu.edu.cn]

The first international summer program of the University Consortium of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road -- the UCMSR -- took place in Xiamen University from July 20 to Aug 1.

A total of 60 students from universities and colleges in 15 countries and regions along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road participated in the program.

Themed with "Grasping the Economic Pulse of China", the intensive short-term program was tailored for students who would like to learn more about Chinese economy, developments and prospects in its sociocultural context.

The program mainly consisted of six academic lectures, seven field trips and four culture experience activities, providing a visualized and dynamic environment for immersion studies.

The program mainly consists of academic lectures, field trips and culture experience activities. [Photo/xmu.edu.cn]

To help them better understand local industries and lifestyles, the students were invited to visit leading companies, historical sites and cultural attractions in Xiamen.

In addition, the cultural experience was also seen as being a very important part of the program. Students had hands-on activities involving traditional Chinese culture -- such as Chinese tea making, martial arts, as well as Chinese painting and calligraphy.

The international summer program is a short-term student exchange program designed to promote the UCMSR's goal of talent training.

UCMSR is a non-profit, non-governmental, inclusive international platform for higher education cooperation -- established by leading universities worldwide on an equal and voluntary basis.