On June 2nd, the International Students Dragon Boat Team of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) participated the 2019 Hefei Dragon Boat Festival Competition in the Swan Lake. It was the only foreigner team in this competition and this was the fourth competition for the team.

2019 Hefei Dragon Boat Festival Competition (Image by Sara Delgado)

The International Students Dragon Boat Team took part in the 500 meters’ straight race on the morning. Since the other teams were made up of professional athletes, the USTC team fell behind at the beginning of the game. However, the USTC team didn’t give up and every members did their best to paddle. Finally, the USTC team successfully finished the race.

USTC International Students Dragon Boat Team (Image by Sara Delgado)

In order to prepare for this competition, the team members had a weekly training in the Xishan Scenic Spot of Huancheng Park. The team trained hard and prepared for the competition with the help and guidance of some experienced Chinese teams.Thanks to Chinese teams, the international student’s team was able to improve their technic and made fast progress.

Warm up (Image by Sara Delgado)

The international dragon boat team was officially formed in April 2018 and is totally formed by international students. It offers an important way for international students in USTC to experience Chinese culture. Victor Bondzie-Micah, a team member from Ghana, said, “Taking part in the dragon boat racing has given me a wider understanding of the rich culture of China and a better view of what I have been taught so far about this great country China. A festival celebrated to commemorate a patriotic poet QU Yuan.”

The team will keep weekly training during summer vacation and next semester. They will keep their passion and determination to face future competition and keep growing as a team.

(Written by Sara Delgado, LU Hongyu, edited by LU Hongyu, USTC News Center)