On October 22, the 139th “CROSS CULTURE PARK” exchange event for graduate students was successfully held in Room 412 of the School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University. Centered on the theme of Traditional Chinese Pastry Making, the event brought together 31 Chinese students and 22 international students. By engaging in hands-on pastry making, participants deepened their understanding of Chinese culinary traditions while fostering intercultural communication and friendship.

The event was filled with enthusiasm and laughter. Students were divided into three groups of 17–18 members each, with at least seven international students per group, ensuring ample cross-cultural interaction. The activity began with bilingual hosts introducing the schedule and safety notes, followed by a carefully designed PPT presentation that introduced the origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival, its traditional customs, and the process of mooncake making. During the hands-on session, students showed great interest and creativity. They experienced every step of making Cantonese mooncakes—from ingredient mixing and dough shaping to baking and packaging—as well as the kneading and chilling of snow-skin mooncakes. The process of making Suzhou-style mooncakes was particularly distinctive, as students eagerly explored the techniques of preparing the water-oil dough and flaky pastry, exchanging ideas and sharing joyful moments throughout.

In the final showcase, each group presented their beautifully crafted mooncakes and shared stories from the experience. Many international students expressed that they not only learned the techniques of mooncake making but also gained a deeper appreciation of the cultural meaning behind Chinese traditional festivals. The event successfully enhanced cultural integration and contributed to the internationalization of the School of Food and Biological Engineering. (School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University)