As I stood behind our beautifully decorated Bangladesh booth at ECNU’s 17th Cultural Festival, my heart swelled with pride. The vibrant colors of our national flag, the intricate patterns of traditional nakshi kantha, and the aromatic essence of pitha arranged neatly on the table transported me straight back home to Bangladesh, even though I was right here in Shanghai.
Setting Up Our Cultural Corner
The morning started early for us volunteers. Armed with photographs of Cox’s Bazar – the world’s longest natural sea beach, the magnificent Sundarbans, and the tea gardens of Sylhet, we transformed our allocated space into a mini-Bangladesh. We carefully laid out traditional handicrafts: colorful hand-woven tapestries, brass artifacts, and delicate muslin scarves that told stories of our rich heritage.
Cultural Exchange Through Food
Food truly became our universal language of connection. My personal highlight was introducing curious visitors to our traditional Bengali sweets and snacks alongside popular street food. The look of delight on people’s faces as they tasted semai (traditional dessert) and fuska was priceless. Many Chinese students were particularly intrigued by our spice combinations, and I found myself explaining the intricate balance of flavors in Bengali cuisine.
Breaking Cultural Barriers
As an international student myself, it was deeply fulfilling to serve as a cultural ambassador, breaking stereotypes and sharing authentic stories about my homeland. One memorable moment was teaching visitors how to write their names in Bangla. The concentration on their faces as they tried to master our alphabet’s curves and lines was endearing. Many proudly took photos with their names written in Bangla script.
More Than Just a Display
This wasn’t just about showcasing Bangladesh; it was about building bridges. Through our traditional music playing softly in the background, the photobooth and the henna art station, we created moments of genuine cultural exchange. I watched as Chinese students attempted to pronounce “ভালো আছো?” (How are you?) and laughed along with them as they practiced. These small interactions represented exactly what ECNU’s Cultural Festival aims to achieve – bringing different cultures together in celebration of our diversity.
Reflections
As the day drew to a close, my feet were tired but my heart was full. Being part of ECNU’s Cultural Festival reminded me that while we’re all proud representatives of our own cultures, we’re also part of a larger, beautiful tapestry of global citizenship. The festival wasn’t just about displaying our differences; it was about finding our common ground. To my fellow Bangladeshi students who might be considering volunteering next year – do it! There’s something incredibly special about sharing your culture with others and seeing their eyes light up with understanding and appreciation.
Thank you, ECNU, for this wonderful opportunity to share a piece of Bangladesh with the world. These are the moments that make being an international student truly meaningful.
Written by Reneka Ahmed Antu
Graduate Student, East China Normal University