China Week has passed at The University of Akron, but the Confucius Institute is still working to educate students about Chinese language and culture.

Every Friday, a group of students and faculty from the Confucius Institute meet in the Student Union for Chinese Corner. During this time, they work on language lessons, talk about current news in China and learn about Chinese culture. Run by Mingzhou Qin, Director of Confucius Institute, Chinese Corner brings American students and native Chinese speakers together.

“It gives us a chance to practice our Chinese speaking and listening,” said Kaley Franks, sophomore. Franks is heavily involved with the Confucius Institute after returning from a semester abroad at China’s Henan University.

“Every week you can go and participate, and there are snacks so it’s fun,” said Franks.

The Confucius Institute has been the link between The University of Akron and Henan University in Kaifeng, China. With support from the Chinese Ministry of Education, the goal of the institute is to bring Chinese education to the university with seminars, programs and assistance for students looking to study abroad.

“Confucius Institute features Chinese and American universities, at the present it nears over 100 Confucius Institutes in the U.S.” said Qin. “The University of Akron and Henan University [in China] are sister universities. We have [had] a long history, back to last century, with our exchange program.”

In addition to Chinese Corner, the Confucius Institute also puts on other events such as educational trips abroad, networking development programs and performances on campus.

Chinese Corner is open to all students and held every Friday in the Student Union, room 321, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about the Confucius Institute and events visit their website at uakron.edu/ci.