SIU junior journalism major Alexandria Deacon of Marion (top photo), along with Cascade Almond (second photo) and Nicholas Pfannkuche (fourth photo) participated in a cultural exploration program in China. Activities include Deacon and Almond visiting the Power Box Museum in Guangzhou (third photo) and Deacon and a friend learning about a robot powered by a hydrogen cube (fifth photo). (Main photo by Russell Bailey; photos in China provided by Alexandria Deacon; video and other student photos provided by Mark Stoffel)
November 21, 2025
SIU students star in short films featuring cultural exploration in China
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Mini-documentaries showcasing the experiences of three Southern Illinois University Carbondale students who recently returned from a cultural exploration program in China will debut Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Morris Library.
The SIU College of Arts and Media students’ journey and discoveries of Chinese culture are part of a series by Guangdong Radio and Television (GRT), which covered their travel expenses. The three short films will be shown at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Morris Library’s John C. Guyon Auditorium. The free, public event will include a panel discussion with the students and a Q&A with the audience. A reception begins at 4 p.m.
“I left feeling so connected to the people who hosted me on this trip,” said Alexandria Deacon, of Marion, a junior journalism major specializing in sports media in the Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Advertising. “Even from across the world, I noticed how many similarities there were between my life and the lives of college students from Guangzhou. Even though we live in completely different cultures, this trip showed me how many people, from any culture, truly can connect with others.”
Media availability
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the premiere and panel discussion. For more information, contact Hong Cheng, dean of the College of Arts and Media, at hong.cheng@siu.edu or 618-453-7707.
Deacon, along with Cascade Almond, a second-year Master of Fine Arts student in the School of Art and Design, and Nicholas Pfannkuche, a senior specializing in sports journalism, traveled to Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Each of the documentaries will feature one of the students with a different theme.
Second year of series
The program was part of GRT’s “Touching the Greater Bay Area” series and the media group’s English-language programming, said Hong Cheng, dean of the College of Arts and Media (CAM), referring to the Guagdong-Hong Kong-Macao area.
Cheng, who is originally from China, said a contact at GRT reached out to him to invite three students to participate in the series, launched in 2024 with students from universities in the United Kingdom. Cheng said school directors within CAM recommended three stellar students.
“I hope this experience inspires students to look beyond familiar horizons and embrace the curiosity and courage to discover other cultures,” Cheng said.
Chenhong Pan, chief director of the GRT series, said the program aims to bridge cultures.
“We launched this program to create opportunities for communication among today's youth,” said Pan, who has been engaged in international exchange media work for nearly 20 years.
“We hope that through communication, young people can gain a better understanding of the world today and unlock new development possibilities on a personal level.” Pan mentioned that last year, a British student who participated in the GRT program was offered an excellent job after her short documentary aired. “This year, the three students from SIU left a deep impression on me: They are sincere, eager to learn, and proactive in understanding and embracing a different culture. Like Chinese college students, they are youthful and full of limitless potential,” Pan said.
During their stay in China's Greater Bay Area, the SIU students showed great curiosity about Chinese cuisine, urban life, sports events and technological innovations, Pan said.
“I witnessed the vitality of these young people and the friendship that can be built between Chinese and American youth. It's truly remarkable!” she said.
Learning about Chinese culture
Deacon, Almond and Pfannkuche participated in a series of events in the program. Deacon operated and learned about two robots powered by hydrogen cubes, watched a professional tennis game and interviewed the winner, and opened a blind box, a sealed package that hides its contents, containing a mascot of the 15th National Games of China.
“The blind box segment definitely brought out my inner child,” Deacon said. “In America, we don’t really have many blind boxes. I noticed that in China, these characters were a huge part of the marketing for the 15th National Games. The pop-up store was so whimsical, and I loved seeing how those cute, little dolphins became such a huge part of Guangzhou’s culture.”
Building bridges for students, faculty
Cheng believes participating in the GRT program could also open more opportunities for SIU students and faculty. The project “will spark other CAM students’ interest in places around the world, provide them with a unique and exciting opportunity to showcase their talent and creativity, and help increase SIU’s visibility in China and internationally,” he said.
Cheng expects the program to be broadcast nationally in China and online globally. Cheng noted footage provided by SIU “will showcase our beautiful campus and surrounding area in the GRT short documentaries.”
Cheng said he is committed to helping build cross-cultural bridges.
“I strongly believe in the value and positive effects of direct communication and interaction among people, particularly those from different cultures,” he said.
For Deacon, who wants to pursue a career in broadcast journalism, the trip helped her overall understanding of cultural differences that she can apply after graduation.
“I truly believe I made lifelong connections with some people I met on this trip, and I would encourage everyone who has an opportunity like this in the future to take it,” Deacon said. “It will change you and open your eyes more than you know.”
Video featuring the three students who traveled to China is available here.