In the golden month of October, as waves of rice shimmered across the fields, a group of special visitors arrived at Shanghai’s Chongming Island. On October 25, nearly 40 international students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College (SJTUGC, abbreviated as GC) visited Chunfeng Village in Shuxin Town, Chongming District at suburban Shanghai, to take part in an experiential class themed “SJTU Meets the Farmland.” The cross-cultural program integrated agricultural practice with scientific exploration, allowing students to experience firsthand how modern technology is transforming China’s countryside.
A Cross-Cultural “Labor Class” in the Rice Fields
In the rice paddies, an unusual “labor class” unfolded. “Using a sickle for the first time is harder than writing a thesis!” joked Kamila, a student from Kazakhstan, as she learned to harvest rice under the guidance of local farmers. The students worked in small groups to experience traditional rice cutting, realizing through sweat and laughter the meaning of the saying “every grain of rice is hard-earned.”
As they worked, an intelligent harvester roared past in the distance, drawing exclamations of amazement at its speed and precision. Later, the students dug up sweet potatoes hidden beneath the soil and picked ripe fruits from a nearby orchard, immersing themselves in the joy of harvest. The experience not only deepened their understanding of rural labor but also sowed the seeds of cross-cultural friendship—bringing to life the traditional Chinese appreciation for food and hard work.
Discovering Technology’s Role in Modern Agriculture
Leaving the fields behind, the group visited Shanghai Jingjie Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., a key enterprise in Shuxin Town’s “Beautiful Vegetable Garden” initiative, to explore how technology empowers modern farming. The base produces nearly 10,000 tons of vegetables annually and operates with a real-time cold chain monitoring system that ensures products travel from field to table in just half a day.
Through computers and mobile apps, students remotely controlled irrigation, ventilation, and temperature in the greenhouses, gaining hands-on experience with 5G-enabled precision agriculture and smart water-fertilizer integration. What delighted them most was learning that SJTU is a technology partner of the company—an intersection of university innovation and rural application that filled them with pride and a sense of belonging.
Green Industry Fuels Rural Revitalization
At the Chunfeng Village Boxwood Industry Park, the students encountered another vibrant scene of rural revitalization. The local boxwood industry has become a hallmark of the area, attracting tourists and study groups while driving the growth of restaurants, guesthouses, and other local businesses. This “green economy” has significantly increased the village’s collective income.
As they strolled through the neatly arranged gardens, students listened to the story of how “a single ornamental tree can enrich an entire community.” They experienced firsthand how China’s countryside is thriving through ecological development and appreciated the aesthetic and cultural depth of Chinese landscaping traditions.
GC actively promotes social practice and cultural immersion for international students, offering experiential learning activities that reflect both Chinese characteristics and the university’s spirit. This cross-cultural field trip transformed farmland into a living classroom, where students connected with real rural life and witnessed the driving force of Chinese modernization.
With sickles and shovels in hand, the students translated the “Chinese story” into a global language—showing the world the sincerity, diligence, and vitality that define China’s people and its rural transformation.
