Arabic-Speaking Volunteer Bridges Cultures at Asian Winter Games

From Food Apps to Friendship: How One Student Became Harbin’s Cultural Ambassador

At the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, 21-year-old Wang Yi is serving more than coffee and translation help. The Beijing International Studies University student has become an unexpected bridge between Arabic-speaking guests and northeastern Chinese culture – armed with her smartphone and a warm smile.

While assisting Saudi Arabian media crews as a broadcaster service assistant, Wang noticed many struggled with local food apps. She’s since become a halal restaurant matchmaker, recommending everything from lamb skewers to beef noodle hotspots.

‘They showed me how to wear traditional Saudi perfumes,’ Wang told us. ‘Now I smell like frankincense and cardamom!’ Her new friends repaid her kindness with boxes of dates and coffee powder – creating what she calls ‘the sweetest cultural exchange’.

Why It Matters

With over 2,000 volunteers from 45 countries and regions, the Games highlight how Gen Z is redefining sports diplomacy. Wang’s story proves you don’t need a podium to make a difference – just empathy and a charged phone battery.

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Volunteer bridges cultures with Arabic speakers at Asian Winter Games

cgtn.com