Foreign students learn about Chinese culture

"Very tough, very exhausting but its very very interesting. I really enjoyed it because the movements are very different from what I've learned in Europe before and I really enjoyed it. Before I didn't really like Peking Opera, it was something I did not understand but now I feel like maybe I don't really understand but I have like a connection to it so now I'm more willing to go to performances and see it and willing to understand more," said German student Sara Kredel.

American student John Rech has always wanted to try something traditional, so being able to walk in a Peking Opera performer's shoes for just three weeks gave him a great appreciation for the art form.

"It's just a very Beijing flavor, there's nothing like this in the world. It's just an opportunity to do something so Beijing...You don't have a lot of opportunities to do something like this. Look at what am I wearing I will never have a beard this great in my life. So it's an unbelievable opportunity for me," said American student John Rech.

Besides Peking Opera, foreign students also immerse themselves in other traditional activities such as calligraphy, painting and martial arts.

"More than 350,000 exchange students come to China every year to study and Beijing Foreign Studies University is keen to attract more to study this traditional art, while expanding this program nationwide.

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