From July 15th to 26th, 2025, Beijing hosted the "You and Me in Beijing" Summer Camp for Students, a joint initiative of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and the Confucius Institute in Sofia.

The group from Bulgaria consisted of 31 people, including two group leaders: Ms Magdalena Kyoseva and Ms Yoana Marinova. The group has been accommodated in a school which is a branch of the BFSU, where the guests have been provided with everything they needed, including hot meals three times a day in the school canteen.

The students have had regular classes covering a variety of topics, including Chinese language classes, martial arts classes, dance classes, Peking opera masks colouring, calligraphy, and many more.

Bulgarian students have had the opportunity to attend some lectures on Chinese culture and manners, on social behavior, etc. given by professors from the Beijing Foreign Studies University. During these lectures, the Chinese society has been presented as a community in which everyone is part of a closely knit collective entity. The lecturers have explained to the students the numerous distinguishing aspects between the Chinese and the Bulgarian national culture. During these lectures, the students have been introduced to Chinese table manners and the rules that apply when visiting someone's home in China. They have also discussed he etiquette when communicating on the Chinese mobile application “WeChat. The students from the Bulgarian team have been the most active participants in the discussions and have made a good impression not only on the teachers but also on the camp organizers.

Alexandra Marinska from the 138th "Prof. Vassil Zlatarski" Secondary School has received a red envelope from the teacher who gave the lecture on the Chinese manners.

The Bulgarian students have also visited the campus of the Beijing Foreign Studies University. The group has been led by Mr Viktor Stoyanov from the 97^th "Hristo Prodanov" Secondary School who has been carrying the flag of the Bulgarian team. On stage, Mr V. Stoyanov has had a chance to take a photo together with Mr Andrey Tachov - the Bulgarian ambassador to China.

Part of the program prepared by the hosts has contained several visits to famous landmarks in Beijing. The students from Bulgaria have climbed part of the Great Wall of China, they have visited the Forbidden City, and have admired the incredible landscapes at the Summer Palace. In the Summer palace they have had the opportunity to take a photo together with an 80-year-old Chinese veteran. The students have also visited the museum in Beijing, where they have seen in person some elements of the Chinese history. On the last day of the camp, the students have had the opportunity to visit the Temple of Heaven and the Qianmen Street - famous for its shops.

On the Culture Day, the Bulgarian students have managed to demonstrate to the representatives from the other countries the authentic image of Bulgaria through the souvenirs they have brought with them all the way from Bulgaria. The Bulgarian booth has made a huge impression on all participants in the camp, as well as on the camp organizers. Thanks to the creativity of the Bulgarian students, our team has won the award for best booth.

On the Host Family Day, the students have had the opportunity to spend time with their Chinese host families, who have taken them on a sightseeing tour of Beijing and have helped them spend the day like true residents of Beijing.

During the closing ceremony, three students from each team have been awarded certificates for excellent performance during the summer camp. The distinguished students from our team are Ms Alexandra Marinska from the 138th "Prof. Vassil Zlatarski" Secondary School, Ms Elitsa Koleva from the "Geo Milev" English Language School and Mr Viktor Stoyanov from 97th "Hristo Prodanov" Secondary School.