At the invitation of the local government of Horqin Right Front Banner, the College of Grassland Science recently organized a trip for international students to Inner Mongolia’s Xing’an League to participate in the 2025 Naadam Festival. Five international students from Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and other countries visited Ulan Mud Grassland to experience a cultural event that blends ethnic tradition with the natural environment.

Naadam, meaning "games" or "recreation" in Mongolian, is a vibrant festival of grassland culture. During the opening ceremony, the international students joined peers from Communication University of China and Xing’an Vocational and Technical University to form a university procession. They marched alongside floats representing the region, model workers, and local agricultural and banner delegations, embodying vitality and unity.

Bathed in sunlight, the grassland echoed with laughter and cheers. The students watched thrilling horse races and were captivated by the strength and spirit of Bökh wrestlers in traditional "Jodag" costumes, eagerly documenting it on their phones. 

The visitors also took part in prairie folk experiences, learning how to set up a Mongolian yurt from local herders, savoring specialities like hand-cut mutton and dried milk curds, and listening to the haunting melodies of the horse-head fiddle, which seemed to carry them across centuries of grassland history. 

The students shared their gratitude for the unforgettable experience:

Kallon Mohamed Koiva (Sierra Leone): "Thank you to everyone who made this incredible experience possible.”

Kashif Ali (Pakistan): "I appreciate all the efforts that made this trip so remarkable, especially the teachers’ guidance and hard work."

Zoha Malik (Pakistan): "The festival atmosphere was unique and exciting. The hospitality of the Mongolian people and the friendliness of the Chinese were unforgettable."

Nauman Muhammad (Pakistan): "Thank you for the warm welcome and the well-organized visit."

Atunwa Hamid Ademuyiwa (Nigeria): "It was an honor to meet everyone. Thank you for the friendship, care, and strong support." 

The College of Grassland Science remains committed to developing global talent, combining international perspectives, specialized knowledge, and cultural engagement through partnerships with universities and research institutes worldwide. Moving forward, the College will continue to use the grassland culture as a bridge for deeper global cooperation, empowering international students to become ambassadors of cultural and scientific exchange while contributing to the sustainable future of grasslands worldwide. 

Written by Xing Fangru, Wang Tiemei
Translated and edited by Song He
Reviewed by Yu Yangyang