Program Overview

University College Cork Confucius Institute

The UCC Confucius Institute is dedicated to promoting Chinese language and culture. The institute offers various programs, including Mandarin courses, cultural activities, and scholarships.

Mandarin Courses

The institute provides a range of Mandarin courses, including:

• Undergraduate students' courses
• Chinese courses for schools
• Weekend Chinese courses
• 1-1/2/3 courses
• HSK/HSKK preparation courses
• Chinese culture courses
• Mid-day Chinese courses
• Chinese courses for children and teens
• Irish Leaving Certificate Chinese courses

Cultural Activities

The institute organizes cultural activities, such as:

• "Beauty and Love Between China & Ireland" photograph exhibition and competition

HSK Test

The institute offers HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) tests, which are standardized Chinese language proficiency tests.

Confucius Institute Scholarships

The institute provides scholarships to students who wish to study Chinese language and culture.

Easter Cultural Exchange Trip

The UCC Confucius Institute organized a two-week cultural exchange trip to China for secondary school students. The program included:

• Intensive Chinese language courses at Shanghai University
• Cultural workshops, such as tea culture, calligraphy, and paper cutting
• City excursions to Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou
• Culinary adventures, including traditional Chinese cuisine

Language Learning

Students took part in intensive Chinese language courses, covering everyday communication, cultural knowledge, and basic writing. The program helped students improve their language skills and gain deeper insight into Chinese culture.

Cultural Discovery

The program included hands-on cultural workshops, such as:

• Tea culture workshop: students learned about Chinese tea, brewing techniques, and tea ceremony etiquette
• Calligraphy class: students practiced writing Chinese characters, including their names and the character "福" (fortune)
• Paper cutting session: students explored traditional Chinese aesthetics through paper cutting

City Excursions

The group visited key historical and cultural landmarks, including:

• Shanghai: Oriental Pearl, Shanghai Tower, the Bund, and Chenghuang Temple
• Suzhou: Lingering Garden and Panmen Scenic Area
• Hangzhou: West Lake and Yue Fei Temple

Culinary Adventures

Students tasted traditional Chinese cuisine, including steamed soup dumplings, Dragon Well shrimp, and sweet-and-sour ribs. They also learned to use chopsticks and dine together, experiencing Chinese life and culture.

Program Impact

The program received enthusiastic feedback from students, parents, and partner schools. It provided students with invaluable personal and cultural growth, and helped them develop a deeper understanding of China and its culture.