shenzhen shenzhenShekou launches morning school for expats

A poster for the Baduanjin exercise class. The Shekou MSCE’s newly launched Shekou Expats’ Morning School will host its first class, featuring Baduanjin exercise, at 9 a.m. Feb. 27. Applicants can register by scanning the QR code.Posters courtesy of Shekou MSCE

Good news for expat residents who do not have time to attend the Shekou Expats’ Night School — a new program tailored to stay-at-home moms and those with morning availability will launch in Shekou next week!The Shekou Expats’ Morning School, organized by the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats (Shekou MSCE), was created in response to suggestions from Shekou expats who want to attend but lack time for evening sessions, according to Shekou MSCE director Rita Yang.Operated as a nonprofit, the Shekou Expats’ Night School has received strong enthusiasm and praise from expats since being initiated in September of last year, and many of its classes quickly filled up after registration opened.

Shekou Expats' Night School offers a variety of evening classes designed for the expat community.

A wide range of content was offered through the program last year, including language classes, cultural experience sessions, and sports activities. Nearly 1,000 expats participated in classes such as Cantonese language courses, a Chinese painting workshop, and a “Learn to Cook Chinese Food” event.The morning school's first class will begin at 9 a.m. Feb. 27 and feature the Baduanjin exercise. Also known as Eight Pieces of Brocade, Baduanjin is a traditional Chinese form of qigong, a system of exercises for cultivating energy and promoting health. It consists of eight separate movements, each designed to benefit different parts of the body and energy pathways.The "brocade" in the name refers to the smooth, flowing, and interconnected nature of the movements, which are often described as being as graceful and fluid as silk. The exercise is relatively easy to learn and practice, making it suitable for beginners.

Posters for the Shekou Expats' Morning School classes.

Offered every Thursday morning, the morning school is organized into three main modules. The “Light Exercise” module includes activities like Baduanjin and yoga, aiming to expose expats to wellness practices rooted in Chinese culture.A cultural module will see participants engage with traditional Chinese medicine and other enriching activities, while the "Practical Skills" module will offer courses on commonly used apps in Shenzhen, smartphone photography, video production techniques, and practical makeup skills.Spanning from late February to the end of May, these courses have been meticulously designed to help expats better integrate into local life and enhance their daily living skills.Stay-at-home mom Sarah, from the U.K., has signed up for the Baduanjin class. “I’m so thrilled to learn about the morning class,” she said, noting that she had wished to attend the night school last year but couldn’t make it. “I look forward to the morning classes. I’m sure the Baduanjin exercise will keep me fit while enriching my understanding of Chinese culture.”The Shekou Expats’ Night School will also kick off at the same time and is scheduled for every Wednesday night. The night school's spring term will continue to offer popular Chinese and Cantonese classes and introduce new content like sports and cultural experiences, including traditional Chinese seal carving and bamboo weaving.

Source: ShenZhenDaily