From the millennial cultural heritage in pottery fingertips to the sky-chasing dreams of aerospace exploration, from the warm resonance of etiquette immersion to the oriental rhythm of leaping dragons and lions, from the poetic Jiangnan charm of boating on West Lake to the ancient elegance of Han-style galas, and the skyward pact with Spring Airlines — the YES Program: French Aviation Faculty and Students Study Tour at Shanghai Donghai College (SDC) reached its grand finale on November 12-13. Serving as the prelude to the closing ceremony, these two days wove together culinary delights, skyward safety, and timeless craftsmanship, forging a warm footnote to this cross-continental encounter through the dual pursuit of “professional dedication” and “cultural accumulation.”
November 12
Craftsmanship in the Kitchen, Skills in the Skyward Classroom
Inheritance of Chinese Flavors Amidst Knife Cuts and Fire
As dawn broke, the canteen of Shanghai Zhonghua Vocational School was filled with the bustling aroma of cooking. Vice Principal Lin Chenxu of Shanghai Zhonghua Vocational School, special advisor to the YES Program, led his team in extending a warm welcome, marking the official launch of an immersive Chinese Cuisine Making Experience. French students rolled up their sleeves to master two classic dishes — Squirrel Mandarin Fish and Yangzhou Fried Rice — touching the essence of Chinese cuisine through knife skills and heat control.
Chef Wu Yongxun from Heji Catering demonstrated each key step in detail: the intricate diagonal cutting of mandarin fish, the golden ratio of sweet and sour sauce, the secret to dry pre-treated rice, and the precise heat control for stir-frying ingredients. Donning aprons and holding knives, the French students carefully followed his guidance — holding their breath as they sliced along the fish bones, closely monitoring oil temperature during frying, and watching with delight as the crispy fish was coated in glossy sauce. Though their movements were initially awkward, they gradually found their rhythm through repeated adjustments.
When the golden, crispy Squirrel Mandarin Fish and fragrant, grain-separated Yangzhou Fried Rice were served, the French students gave thumbs-up in admiration. This experience was not about perfecting skills, but about understanding the craftsmanship of Chinese culinary culture — “Food is never too refined, and meat is never too finely sliced”— through hands-on practice.
A Compulsory Course in Skyward Safety
In the afternoon, in front of SDC’s A320 6-DOF Dynamic Flight Simulator, Professors Liu Peiyu and Yang Qin from the Aviation College awaited the students. Certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and used for Spring Airlines flight attendants’ training, this simulator replicates the real aircraft environment 1:1, serving as a core venue for students to master cabin emergency management skills.
Putting on training uniforms and stepping into the simulator, the authentic cabin layout and complete safety equipment instantly immersed the students. The course focused on core emergency scenarios: responding to mild and moderate cabin turbulence, handling fires under overhead bins and seats, and practicing emergency landing and rapid evacuation — every link adhering to the core principle of “safety first.”
Inside the simulator, the physical imbalance during turbulence, the smoke-filled air during simulated fires, and the intense rhythm of evacuation made the students deeply appreciate the responsibilities and hardships of flight attendants. “Every standardized action is a solemn commitment to passengers’ safety,” remarked a French student after the experience, encapsulating the core gain of this immersive course.
November 13
Cross-Cultural Service and Timeless Craftsmanship
A Sino-French Cultural Dialogue in the Cabin
In the morning classroom, Professors Xu Yancheng and Zhou Linan from the Aviation College delivered the course “Cabin Service in a Cross-Cultural Context,” centered on safety as the foundation and culture as the bridge, focusing on the differences and integration of Sino-French cabin service.
The professors summarized the international core standards and full-process framework of cabin service, highlighting cultural characteristics: the “ritual sense and professionalism” of French service contrasted sharply with the “proactive care and flexibility” of Chinese service. Differences in social distance during communication and varied expressions of body language deeply inspired the students.
In the practical demonstration session, standard actions such as tray carrying, beverage service, and safety briefings were concise and intuitive. Case-based interactions sparked lively discussions on topics like “how to respond to language barriers” and “how to address special meal requests.” Free from complicated theoretical jargon, the course instilled the core logic of cross-cultural service — “respect differences and prioritize empathy” — in the students’ minds.
Timeless Craftsmanship and Legend in the Gears of Time
The afternoon itinerary was steeped in the charm of time. At the Shanghai Clock and Watch Culture Science Popularization Museum, Xiu Huili, special advisor to the YES Program and Deputy Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Shanghai Industrial Technology School, led her team in receiving the students, recounting the millennial history of clock and watch development. In the hands-on workshop, students focused on assembling simple clocks, feeling the intricacy of mechanical operation through their fingertips, and the finished works became unique souvenirs of time.
Subsequently, the study tour group visited Moller Villa. Liu Hong, special advisor and former Executive Chef of Hengshan Moller Villa Hotel, led the tour, narrating the legendary origin of this East-West fusion building. Gothic spires, red brick exteriors, Chinese wood carvings, and stained glass complemented each other harmoniously. As students wandered through the courtyard, they deciphered the diverse customs and inclusive heritage of old Shanghai through the architectural aesthetics of East-West integration.
A Bird’s-Eye View of Shanghai’s Nightscape
As night fell, the observation deck of Jin Mao Tower became the crowning touch of the finale itinerary. Overlooking Shanghai’s dazzling nightscape, ancient and modern buildings along the Huangpu River shone brightly, their outlines etched by lights. French students raised their cameras to capture this stunning view, where the city’s vitality intertwined with the cultural heritage from previous trips, forming the most unforgettable closing moment of the study tour.
Beyond the Finale, Friendship Endures
Centered on “Enhancing Cross-Cultural Aviation Service and Immersive Experience of Chinese Culture,” this study tour wove together classroom learning, pottery experience, technological exploration, dragon-lion heritage, urban walks, aviation training, culinary production, and timeless craftsmanship.
French students transformed from “cultural onlookers” to “experiential participants”: they deciphered oriental codes in the rhythm of dragon-lion drums, honed professional skills in aviation training, savored Chinese craftsmanship in culinary production, and felt the integration of Chinese and Western cultures in urban streets. What they gained was not only the upcoming graduation certificate jointly issued by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and SDC, but also profound cross-border friendship and personal growth.
When French aviation dreams meet China’s cultural heritage and professional strength, and when youthful passion collides with cross-cultural tolerance, this study tour transcends mere learning. Wings measure the heavens and earth, while culture connects hearts. May this cross-mountain-and-sea friendship bloom brilliantly at the closing ceremony, as enduring as time and bright as stars, becoming a solid bridge for exchanges between Chinese and French youth.
Correspondent: Liu Yichen
