The class of the day was hosted by Emmanuel Umar from Nigeria, who has been in Chengdu since 2015. He is the first foreigner conferred the Doctoral Degree of Archaeology by Sichuan University, and is now in Chengdu working in import and export. Emmanuel introduced his home country to the kids, and shared his experience of studying in Chengdu.

Children in class were fascinated by his explanation on the cultural difference between China and Africa as about the symbolic meanings of the same living creatures.

"For example, a swallow symbolizes diligence in the Chinese culture, while it stands for misfortunes for Africans," Emmanuel said, "When people in Africa see the bird, they would think that a severe drought will come."

Du Fu's Thatched Cottage Museum is built around the former site of the thatched cottage of Du Fu, a prominent Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). During the class, Emmanuel recited a poem written by Nigerian poet Wole Soyinka, who is the first African awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. In return, the students taught Emmanuel how to recite poems of Du Fu.

GoChengdu Classes on World Culture will invite more foreigners to share their ideas and experiences with local young generations.

To know more about the program, scan the Q/R code below to follow the "GoChengdu够成都" WeChat account.