In the afternoon of October 31, 2018 International Freshman Opening Ceremony of Wenzhou University was held in Yanshan Hall of Yansongtang.

Vice President Qian Qiang first delivered a speech. He emphasized that the current era was full of changes and challenges，of greater need for more talents than ever before, so he encouraged students to cherish their time and strengthen their wings. In this regard, Qian Qiang put forward three suggestions: First, study hard and becomean excellent ambassador for exchanges between China and foreign countries; second, experience Chinese traditional culture andfeel the development of China; third,take the initiative to make friends with people from different cultural backgroundsand understand different civilizations with appreciation and mutual understanding. Later, Professor Li Zirui, the teacher representative, spoke andcalled onthefreshmen to study hard, take responsibility, and have a good time in campus with confidence.

The International Student Scholarship Award Ceremony was also held, and Professor Ye Miao, Deanof the International Student Education and Management Department, read the scholarship documents. After that, Vice President Qian Qiang wore the school badge for the international freshmen.

Different from the past, the opening ceremony was hosted by two international students, who read the agenda first in Chinese then in English. The student representative’s speech was also one of the highlights of this opening ceremony. TASSEW TEWODROS MEGABIAW, a 2017 international undergraduate student from Ethiopia, shared his experience in studying. He recommended that freshmen should have a good time plan to get out of their “comfort zone” and integrate into this new family in China. VIVIANA, a 2018 international graduate student from Italy, gave a speech in fluent Chinese, her standard pronunciation won warm applause from the audience. It was worth mentioning that VIVIANA came to Wenzhou University as an exchange student in 2017. She said that Wenzhou'sinclusivenessand teachers’ enthusiasm and patience gave her warmth, so she applied for this school again this year.

The opening ceremony also added a welcome-song session. Ghanaian 2018 international freshman Wang Han brought a song in standard Chinese, Wenzhou dialect and English, whichcheeredthe sceneconstantly. The Angolan international student JENIFFER singing in Portuguese was also warm welcomed.