Chinese New Year in the Academic Writing Center

On January 29, as people across China, from Nanjing to Harbin, celebrated the Lunar New Year, the Academic Writing Center joined in the festivities in its own way. To honor the arrival of the Year of the Green Wooden Snake, the Center hosted a workshop "The Rise of the Asia Era: Key Features of Communication with Chinese Partners."

Led by Alexandra Sizova, the session explored essential aspects of cross-cultural communication with Chinese colleagues. She discussed conventional and taboo gestures, highlighting their impact on the impression you produce. The workshop also addressed key differences between Eastern and Western cultures and emphasized the vital role of 关系 (guanxi) — the art of building meaningful professional relationships. Additionally, the speaker explored common cultural missteps and misunderstandings that often arise in international interactions, offering practical advice on how to navigate them effectively.

The workshop struck a chord with the audience:

“Many-many thanks! Have been glued to the screen all the time.”

“Thank you for the idea of this workshop and special thanks to Alexandra!”

“Thank you so much! I found the workshop incredibly interesting and engaging. I’m looking forward to the next events on similar topics!”

And there's still much more to look forward to! In just two weeks, we will host another workshop focused on the key elements of the academic register. Join us!