A group of 15 student volunteers from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) – hailing from countries and regions including Italy, Namibia, India, Indonesia, and China – recently brought an immersive, bilingual learning experience to two rural primary schools in Ninghai County.
Italian student Sofia and her Chinese partner Zhan Runhe turned lessons into interactive games, introducing children to everything from Roman landmarks to Italian cuisine. Meanwhile, Namibian student Nangula and Yang Yuqi led a "virtual safari" through the Namib Desert, teaching children about African culture and the value of mutual respect.
The "one Chinese, one international" teaching model helped create a lively and open classroom atmosphere, encouraging children to engage confidently across cultures.
For the volunteers, the experience was equally transformative. They learned to navigate cross-cultural collaboration, adapt teaching methods, and connect with children on a personal level – gaining insights no textbook could provide.
This summer, UNNC has organised volunteer teaching trips to several provinces across China, as well as overseas destinations including Timor-Leste and Nepal. Since the programme began, over 3,500 UNNC students have taken part in educational and rural development initiatives in underdeveloped regions, directly benefiting more than 6,000 children in remote communities.
Published on 27 July 2026