In the golden September, nearly a hundred 2026 international freshmen from 33 countries around the world gathered at Dalian Maritime University to officially embark on a new journey of study. After the International Student Orientation and Legal Publicity on September 8th, the International Students’ Education Center continued to carry out the "First Lesson of the Semester" series of activities from September 10th to 14th, using three major chapters of academic navigation, campus visits, and ceremony education to build a bridge for cross-cultural adaptation for international freshmen.
1、Academic navigation, building a solid foundation
On September 10th and 11th, undergraduate and postgraduate freshmen received entrance orientation related to their studies. The academic affairs teachers carefully interpreted the professional training plan, graduation standards, and thesis process, emphasizing Chinese proficiency and academic research requirements; The library teachers were invited to give a lecture on the application of database resources, introducing the retrieval methods and citation standards for Chinese and foreign literature databases, e-books, and academic journals, helping freshmen quickly master the necessary tools for academic research and laying a solid foundation for professional learning.
2、Immersive exploration, perceiving the essence
On September 12th, international freshmen embarked on a campus exploration journey, visiting core areas such as Xinhai Lake, the school motto stone, and the gymnasium along the main campus road to learn about functional zoning and service locations. Entering the DMU Exhibition Hall (Maritime Education Museum), students traced back the hundred year history of DMU from Wusong Merchant Shipping School to a world-class maritime academy, closely observed the Yukun ship model, precious historical documents, and the deeds of alumni throughout history. In the Starry Sky Navigation Knowledge Exhibition Area, they felt the charm of maritime culture and deeply understood the connotation of the school motto of "learning from all rivers and benefiting the four seas with virtue". At the DMU Library, students visited various book borrowing areas, 24-hour study rooms, and a special area for maritime literature, completed their first entry check-in, and unlocked the book search and borrowing process and resource usage methods in advance.
3、Ceremonial education, identity recognition
On the evening of September 14th, all international freshmen went to Xishan Sports Stadium to attend the school's "DMU Impression" 2026 Opening Ceremony and Welcoming Party. At the ceremony, an international freshman took the stage as a representative and received the school emblem personally worn by the Secretary of the Party Committee of DMU. International freshmen and all Chinese freshmen listened to the principal's message together, deeply understood the motto of DMU, and officially assumed the identity of “DMUers" in the solemn oath. After the ceremony, the students immersed themselves in the themed cultural evening party of "Setting Sail on the Vast Sea, Embarking on a New Journey", completing their own grand sea departure ceremony.
The "First Lesson of the Semester" series of activities integrates rule preaching, resource empowerment, cultural infiltration, and identity recognition, effectively enhancing the sense of closeness, identity, and pride of international freshmen. Next, the International Students’ Education Center will continue to carry out extended activities such as urban exploration and Chinese language practice experience, to help international students quickly integrate into their study life at DMU, pursue their dreams and grow, and set sail from DMU.
