Ugwu Perpetual (fourth from the left) poses for a photo after the final of the third "Stories of China Retold in English" Challenge. [Photo/view.sdu.edu.cn]

After four rounds of competition, Ugwu Perpetual, a Nigerian undergraduate student from the College of International Education at Shandong University, finished fifth in the final of the third "Stories of China Retold in English" Challenge and was named "Star of the Stage".

The competition involved reciting texts, thematic speeches, challenges on Chinese cultural knowledge, Chinese talent demonstrations and timed Q&A sessions and was judged by professional language experts and authoritative figures in the field of Chinese and foreign cultural education.

In the final round, Perpetual focused on the theme of "This is China" and delivered a speech titled "Run Towards a Bright Future of the Belt and Road Initiative". She expressed gratitude to the BRI for giving her the confidence and courage to become a Chinese teacher in the future.

In the preparation process, Zhang Yun, a teacher from the College of International Education served as Perpetual's mentor, who helped her with the speech, talent design and demonstration. The college also provided support for contestants.

The College of International Education has always been committed to cultivating international students with proficiency in Chinese language literacy, application and cultural communication. Through training programs and reforms, the college has built a platform for diverse cultural exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign cultures with the aim of enhancing international students' understanding of Chinese cultures.

Launched in January 2020, the "Stories of China Retold in English" Challenge is the first humanities and comprehensive literacy event with the theme of Chinese cultural communication organized by the China Education Television and New Channel International Education Group.

The third edition of the event began in August 2022 and attracted 260,000 young participants from China and abroad. Nearly 2,000 international students from 121 countries and regions studying in China were involved.