My Unforgettable Experience in Chengdu

Since the establishment of a friendly cooperative relationship between Chengdu and Ibagué in 2017,

the two cities have engaged in close exchanges and frequent interactions,

celebrating eight years of partnership.

As both cities are recognized as “Cities of Music”,

what new developments have recently emerged in their partnership?

As part of the 2024 Chengdu International Friendship Exchange Program for Chinese Language Learning, Quintero Molina Lina Daniela, a Strategic Relations Technician from the Municipal Mayor’s Office of Ibagué, Colombia, traveled to Chengdu for her dream of studying abroad. Ibagué, Colombia is Chengdu’s international friendship city.
In September 2024, Lina embarked on a four-month journey to learn the Chinese language at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics. Despite her lack of prior experience with the language, the commitment and professionalism of the instructors, the camaraderie of her engaging classmates, and the inclusive and hospitable environment of the city facilitated her swift acclimatization to the local culture. In her leisure time, Lina engaged actively in the 2024 “Study in Chengdu” program and visited the International Horticultural Exhibition 2024 Chengdu, appreciating the stunning landscapes of the park city where mountains, water, people, and urban life coexist in harmony, while immersing herself in the “Chengdu Scroll” of green and ecological civilization. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lina participated in the “Home in Chengdu, Gather for Mid-Autumn Festival” 2024 Consular Officials Sports Games. She not only took part in fun games including lacrosse, korfball, and flying disc, but also explored DIY mooncake making, as well as intangible cultural heritage including palm weaving and lacquer fan crafting. These experiences allowed her to feel the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere of “home” in Chengdu, despite being a newcomer to the city. In November 2024, Lina was invited for China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 as a friendship city representative.
In fact, this is not Lina’s first time in Chengdu. In 2018, as a member of the Ibagué Folk Dance Troupe, she was invited to Chengdu to participate in the 2018 Chengdu International Sister Cities Youth Music Week, where she performed traditional Colombian dances at the Pengzhou sub-venue. After several years, Lina has made her way back to Chengdu. She noted that in comparison with 2018, she now has more time to discover the city. With a better momentum and a higher level of spirit, she is able to fully engage with the changes and acquire new knowledge each day. She aspires to leverage her experiences in Chengdu to enhance her professional endeavors upon her return to Colombia, fostering greater exchanges and collaboration between the two cities across various sectors.

Let’s follow the lens of local media andtake a closer look at Lina’s Chengdu journey.Let’s explore the changes in Chengdu through her eyes!

Source: 国际蓉