Class 2B, Jiang Mingyu

From the moment I stepped into Nankai Middle School, I was deeply captivated by the school's sense of history and academic atmosphere. Every building and every corridor, witnessing the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Civil War between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, tells stories of the past and the dreams of its students. Sitting in a conference room at the Tianjin Port Terminal, the world's first "smart zero-carbon" terminal, I gazed out the window at the spectacular spectacle of modern industry. Completed in just one year and nine months, this intelligent container terminal demonstrates the astonishing speed of China's modernization. It's not just a departure point for goods, but also a harbor for dreams.

Class 2B, Gao Zehan

Climbing the steep steps of the Huangyaguan Great Wall, as the number of classmates approached dwindled, I sensed a deeper truth: communication isn't about what you say to others, but rather what you say to yourself and what the world around you says to you. Remember: every meeting, every reunion, is both the first and the last, so we should approach everything with gratitude. These feelings and memories are what I can take away from this exchange program.

San Geng, Lu Yongnan

As soon as I stepped into the classroom, I was enveloped by the diligent atmosphere of learning. Even without the teacher present, everyone diligently reviewed, undivided attention. I was naturally impressed by my classmates' perseverance. During recess, my exchange partner and I went for morning exercises. Watching everyone around us run multiple laps, looking effortless, I couldn't help but admire their stamina. We listened to Beyond's "Red Sun" and worked hard, showcasing the vibrant and active side of Nankai students.

Si Ji, Liu Yanrou

During these past few days of exchange, we visited the Tianjin Port Smart Terminal, a hub port with green, smart, and intelligent features. It's the world's first zero-carbon terminal, adorned with rainbow colors, a dazzling display of both beauty and operational efficiency. A port, transcending the barriers of mountains and seas; an ocean, connecting distant lands. It inspires us to see the strength of China in this new era and new journey.

We also climbed the majestic Huangyaguan Great Wall to "be a hero" and visited Dule Temple, one of the only three remaining Liao Dynasty temples in China. This demonstrates that Tianjin, while advancing in technology and innovation, has also preserved its unique historical character. Its cuisine, folk customs, art, and architecture embody a fusion of openness and tradition, forming a Tianjin urban culture that blends the past and the present, and blends Eastern and Western influences.