Following the start of the new semester, SIP has welcomed over 2,000 international freshmen. To help them settle in quickly, the Suzhou Industrial Park One-stop Service Centre for Expats launched a one-month orientation program on Sept 1, offering an all-round immersive experiences for international students and teachers from international schools in the park.

The center, featuring bilingual welcome signs, has created five themed zones. One of the zones provides instant cameras and printers for international students and teachers to capture their first impression of SIP. Another zone is equipped with a smart system that generates a personalized Chinese name for each newcomer. It also offers Suzhou-themed postcards and SIP-themed stamps.

In other zones, international students could log in a smart service platform to search for any information they need for living in SIP, write down their expectations on the “Wish Wall”, and enjoy free coffee while reading the English-language entry-exit guidance.

These experiences have helped the expatriates quickly know SIP and adapt to local life.

Olivia from France, who arrived just two weeks ago, praised Jinji Lake’s night views: “Every Sunday evening I walk by the lake. The tall buildings and lights are truly beautiful.”

Daniel, a 21-year-old freshman who is learning Chinese, said, “I hope to explore Chinese culture more, travel to more places to gain a deeper understanding of this country.”

September 10, 2026