On November 20, 2025, the second Language Exchange event of the semester took place in Room 2123 at Soochow University’s Downtown Campus. Exchange students, local students, and volunteers from the Office of International and Cross-Strait Affairs gathered for the activity, which continued the three-round discussion format introduced earlier in the semester. The event once again provided a welcoming setting for students from different backgrounds to interact and share their experiences.

Participants were arranged into small groups consisting of students from various countries, with discussion cards helping guide the conversations. Although the overall structure was similar to the previous session, the topics naturally evolved according to the backgrounds of the participants. With a larger number of exchange students from Mainland China attending this event, comparisons between traditional and simplified Chinese characters became an important theme throughout the discussions.

During the first round, students introduced themselves and talked about their experiences studying Chinese. Many participants shared the challenges they encountered when moving between simplified and traditional characters, while others mentioned noticing differences in stroke order and writing styles. These conversations offered students an opportunity to reflect on their individual language-learning journeys and learn from one another’s perspectives.

The second round broadened the discussion to include cultural and linguistic observations. Students compared different writing systems in terms of visual style, everyday usage, and learning methods. Some participants also shared their travel experiences in China and discussed their impressions of different Chinese-speaking regions. Exchange students from various countries talked about the difficulties they face when learning Chinese, including mastering tones, remembering characters, and understanding subtle differences in daily communication.

In the third round, the conversations gradually shifted toward more casual topics related to daily life. Students exchanged recommendations for Taiwanese food, discussed the Asian destinations they hope to visit in the future, and shared stories about adapting to life in Taiwan. Topics such as transportation, food culture, and social customs were frequently mentioned. One particularly memorable moment occurred when a French exchange student jokingly admitted that he had spent most of his time in Taiwan traveling only around Taipei, adding that he had come to Taiwan “to learn English,” which drew laughter from everyone in the room.

The event concluded with group photos and friendly conversations as participants exchanged contact information and continued chatting after the activity ended. Many students shared that the Language Exchange provided not only a chance to practice languages, but also a meaningful opportunity to learn about different cultures through open dialogue. The Office of International and Cross-Strait Affairs expressed its hope to continue organizing similar events, further supporting Soochow University’s efforts to build a diverse and globally connected learning environment.