On February 17, 2025, the first day of the spring semester at Xi'an Jiaotong University, the quiet campus came back to life, brimming with energy. The students of XJTU-Milan greeted the new semester with vigor and set sail with joy.
Yang Xindi, a freshman majoring in Industrial Design, started her first Academic English class of the new semester at 8 a.m. sharp. During the class, the teacher carefully outlined the teaching plan and learning objectives for the semester, laying a solid foundation for the students' upcoming studies. Yang Xindi expressed her confidence: "This semester, I will give it my all and strive to become a better version of myself."
Zhu Hua, another freshman in the same major, finished her day's classes and worked on her homework with her roommate in the dormitory. "Although it's still a bit hard to adjust to the end of the holiday, my roommate and I are determined to complete every academic task and start the new semester on a good note."
Qi Tuoda, a sophomore in Industrial Design, shared that on the first day of school, he experienced a multi-dimensional collision of thoughts in various courses such as Ultimate Frisbee, Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics, and Basic Principles of Marxism. Ultimate Frisbee allowed him to appreciate the dynamic beauty of design, Probability Theory opened the door to rational analysis, and Basic Principles of Marxism guided him to reflect on the social value of design. Filled with enthusiasm, he plans to explore the infinite possibilities of design with rationality and creativity, looking forward to creating new wonders this semester.
"Returning to the familiar campus, the journey ahead is like an unfinished building, waiting for us to construct it with inspiration and perseverance," said Guo Bingmin, a sophomore in Architecture. "The past year has been a dialogue between the pen and paper, a collision between models and space. The late-night lights illuminated every line on the blueprint and also lit up my passion for architecture. The new semester is like an unfinished poem, guiding me to cross the river of culture and explore the deeper truths of design."
The first day of the new semester began with a busy morning for Zhang Weishi, a junior in Architecture, who immersed himself in intense and fulfilling drawing work. Flipping through design materials and adjusting the details of his drawings, he faced the academic challenges of the new semester with determination. He expressed his commitment to continue improving his drawing skills and design thinking, accumulating rich practical experience and creativity, and striving for breakthroughs in both academics and design.
After class, Han Shirong, a junior in Industrial Design, went to the library to look up books related to the theoretical knowledge he had learned in class. Facing the new semester's academic tasks, he plans to systematically study design theory, broaden his design perspective, and continuously improve his creative thinking and aesthetic sensibility, aiming for greater progress throughout the semester.
During the winter break, Li Peixuan, a junior in Architecture, visited Shandi Village in Yijing Town, Fengkuang District, Handan City, retracing the steps of the Southern Hebei Anti-Japanese Tunnel Site. This visit was immensely beneficial, allowing her to deeply feel the hardships and greatness of the wartime period. On the first day of school, she shared her experience with her classmates: "Every artifact in the tunnel site and memorial carries profound history. The design and construction of the tunnels reflect the wisdom and courage of the people of Southern Hebei, who, under extremely difficult conditions, built a line of defense against invasion with their hands and hops." She expressed her determination to remember history and strive to be a new youth of the new era.
During the winter break, Yao Qingxin, a junior in Architecture, participated in a themed practical activity titled "Qin Melodies Sing of Glory, Tones Pass Down Through Millennia." She interviewed several Qin opera actors and, through her conversations with them, felt the silent dedication and selfless contributions of generations of Qin opera artists. "Performing every show well and not letting down the audience is their professional spirit and cultural responsibility," Yao Qingxin remarked with heartfelt admiration after the activity. "Through this practical experience, I saw the vibrant energy of a group of young people in the Qin Opera Youth Troupe of Xi'an Performing Arts Group. Although they joked about the hardships, their eyes shone with the glory of performing on stage and the pride of passing down cultural art from generation to generation. This spirit deeply inspired me, a fellow youth. In the new semester, I will embrace the journey ahead with perseverance and a spirit of overcoming challenges!"
A new semester, a new starting point, a new journey. The students of XJTU-Milan are embracing new challenges and pursuing new dreams with high spirits, writing their own youthful chapters on this hopeful campus.
