A group photo

(BEIJING, March 6) -- After finishing their four month long language training in Cuba, 20 Spanish-speaking volunteers for the Beijing Olympic Games returned home on Wednesday.

At a meeting to sum up their experiences abroad on Thursday, they said the trip boosted their language skills and enabled them to offer better services for the upcoming Olympics.

Liu Jian takes the floor.

Sponsored by volunteer organizations, including the Volunteer Department of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), 20 students from four universities in Beijing were lucky enough to have been chosen to undergo the training course as Olympic volunteers. They enjoyed good study and living conditions at Havana University, thanks to the care of the Cuban government and the country’s youth, education and sports organizations.

The volunteers at a meeting

Provided with special language programs and designated teaching staff, the trainees focused on Spanish language listening and speaking practice, in addition to learning sports vocabulary, cultural customs, and etiquette norms necessary for volunteer service.

The students upgraded their skills as they regularly communicated with Cuban sports teams, took part in volunteer services in sports competitions, attended forums on different topics, and experienced folk customs.

A volunteer tells of her experience.

”I really gained a lot in Spanish listening and speaking capabilities,” said Liu Tianle, a third-year student of the Beijing Second Foreign Language University.

Liu Jian, BOCOG Volunteer Department director, encouraged the students to make up the courses they missed in the past months, while playing leading roles in the volunteer training and service programs to contribute to the Olympics, with 155 days to go.

The volunteers at a meeting to sum up their experiences.