Stephen Yeap Weller, a Class of 2025 Malaysian undergraduate student from the University of Michigan–Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI, JI hereafter), has been recognized with the “Rising Creator” award in the 2024 My China Surprise global short video contest, organized by China Daily 21st Century News Group. His video titled Experiencing the Dragon Boat Festival in China Is So Much Fun stood out for its vivid storytelling and authentic cultural perspective.
The video captures Stephen’s first-hand experience of traditional Chinese customs during the Dragon Boat Festival, including dragon boat racing and making scented sachets. Presented from a first-person perspective, the video offers a personalized narrative of life in China as seen through the eyes of an international student.
Screenshot from the award-winning video
A former member of the Malaysian national swimming team, Stephen quickly became a key member of the SJTU dragon boat team after enrolling in 2021. While pursuing a globally oriented education at JI, he has also embraced the richness of Chinese traditions, many of which are still deeply rooted in Shanghai’s modern urban life.
The My China Surprise contest invites international participants living in China to share short videos based on their personal experiences. Through the voices of young global storytellers, the campaign aims to offer fresh and diverse perspectives on both traditional and contemporary China, showcasing the country in a comprehensive and authentic way to audiences around the world.
