By Li Han

Staff Writer of the Tsinghua News Center

An opening ceremony was held on May 25 in Tsinghua marking the launch of Tsinghua Summer School 2006.

Starting in May 2006, over 100 teachers and students from overseas universities including Northeastern University, University of Minnesota, MIT, Nanyang Technological University, and Hong Kong Baptist University, will come to spend several weeks at Tsinghua, studying culture, business, and urban design.

Unlike the common short periods courses provided for overseas students, the Tsinghua Summer School 2006 features communication and exchanges between eastern and western students.

 “We hoped that there are more overseas students coming to Tsinghua in the future, which will promote the exchange and mutual understanding between Tsinghua students and those from other universities. They can share their knowledge and experiences,” said Tsinghua Vice President Xie Weihe, who attended the ceremony that day.

A total of 100 students and teachers from universities included Northeastern University, University of Minnesota, Nanyang Technological University, University of Amsterdam, Hong Kong Baptist University, and Tsinghua participated in the ceremony.

“The students in Tsinghua are so nice and friendly and their English is amazing,” said Kirsten Sward, a girl majoring in international business from Northeastern University, describing her one week and a half life and study at Tsinghua University.

Luke Kane, a boy from University of Minnesota, said he enjoyed the experience in Tsinghua. “I like the atmosphere here in Tsinghua. I will come back in the future someday,” said Kane.