The Spring Festival travel rush is an annual “great migration” in China, in which people who strive away from home desire for a pleasant Spring Festival reunion with family. In this period, a group of people chooses to sacrifice their time to serve others and make their return home safe and convenient. This year, Bruno and his classmates from the Republic of Congo in Africa are experiencing China’s Spring Festival travel rush for the first time in the waiting hall of Fulingbei Railway Station in Chongqing, learning Chinese culture and serving tourists.
Bruno (middle) and his volunteer friend
“We study in China simply because we want to experience traditional Chinese culture. The Spring Festival travel rush is part of it, so we registered as volunteers at Fulingbei Railway Station,” Bruno said.
At the beginning of the 2020 Spring Festival travel rush, foreign friends also participate as more volunteers join the massive team serving the Spring Festival. “They do not serve Chinese tourists alone. With the rapid development of high-speed rail in China, more and more foreign tourists arrive at the station to take high-speed trains. This is a time when Bruno and his friends can play a bigger role,” said Qin Qijie, Director of Fulingbei Railway Station. “The station provides them with convenient services. Yet we will explain fully to them so that they can learn more about the station and the Chinese Spring Festival travel rush,” Bruno said excitedly.
international volunteers are serving at the rail stations
Bruno and his classmates are on the go every day during the Spring Festival travel rush. Apart from guiding passengers and helping those who are in urgent need of aid at the reception desk, they also check tickets at the ticket gate and help passengers buy tickets on automated equipment in the ticket office when it is necessary. Bruno said after one day’s work that first-hand experience has enabled him to know the sheer magnitude of China’s Spring Festival travel rush and that voluntary service has taught him a lot that the college does not offer. “China’s high-speed rail is an iconic example of China's speed and is going global in a big way. I take pride in studying in China and serving Chinese and foreign tourists. I love China,” Bruno said emotionally.
“The volunteer service provided by young college students like Bruno helps our station operate more efficiently in the Spring Festival travel rush. These people who are often seen to toil away in every corner of the waiting room are arguably the most beautiful ‘travelers on the wrong side of the road’ during the Spring Festival!” said Zou Min, Director of Fulingbei Railway Station.
Bruno and his classmates work together to ensure a safe, orderly, and happy journey for passengers during the Spring Festival. The beaming faces and the special purchases for the Spring Festival they see in the station live up to their expectation of the Chinese flavor!