“I’m impressed by the stories of international friends like Mr John Rabe. I will never forget their humanitarian spirit and brave and righteous acts. When I study in Germany, I’ll tell the history of the Nanjing Massacre and the stories of Mr Rabe to more German friends,” said a Nanjing student while taking part in the “A Lesson Before Going Abroad” activity.

In March, more than 100 students took a special history lesson at the Memorial Hall before they studied abroad. They were students from Nanjing Foreign Language School, Nanjing Foreign Language School Xianlin Campus, Nanjing Hexi Foreign Language School, Jinling High School Hexi Campus, and Nanjing Xuanwu Secondary Vocational School. The students dived deep into the history behind the Nanjing Massacre by visiting an exhibition, talking with descendants of the survivors of the Nanjing Massacre, and listening to lectures. They also learned how to take care of Zijin Cao.

Reflections from students

Cheng Yuhui: Cheng, a student at Nanjing Foreign Language School Xianlin Campus, will soon study in Germany. He learned about the stories of German businessman John Rabe who saved many Chinese people during the Nanjing Massacre when visiting an exhibition. “I was very touched by the humanitarian spirit and brave and righteous acts of international friends like Mr Rabe. When I go to Germany, I’ll tell the history of the Nanjing Massacre and the stories of Mr Rabe to my German classmates. I’ll try hard to be a messenger of peace.”

Sun Ningrui: Sun, a student at Nanjing Hexi Foreign Language School, will soon study in the United States. “I visit the Memorial Hall almost every year after I attended primary school. But the tour before I study abroad will be especially meaningful. I’ll tell this history to my foreign classmates and friends. I want them to learn about what happened in one of the main eastern battlefields during World War II, and I want them to know that Nanjing people cherish peace very much.”

Yang Anru: Yang, a student at Jinling High School Hexi Campus, was deeply shocked after seeing the pictures and exhibits in the exhibit hall. “When I was very young, I couldn’t fully understand what these mean. Now I’ve grown up and I am able to have a deep understanding of this history. Whenever I see the pictures about the tragedies that happened in Nanjing, especially in places I was very familiar with, such as the Gate of China and Yuhuatai, I’m filled with grief and indignation. I’ll remember the history, which will motivate me to study hard and contribute to my country.”

Jiao Xiran: Jiao, a student at Jinling High School Hexi Campus, has visited the Memorial Hall many times. “We are a group of young students who grow up in Nanjing together with the memory of Nanjing and China. No one individual is too small to make a difference. We can all play a part in spreading history and peace. When I study abroad, I’ll bring the voice of China to the world. I’ll be down-to-earth, study hard, and contribute to my country with knowledge.”

Chen Sihao: Chen, a student at Nanjing Xuanwu Secondary Vocational School, is a native of Nanjing. His family has lived in Nanjing for generations. “I’ve been here a lot. I’m very familiar with the history of the Nanjing Massacre. When I go to another country, I’ll firmly defend this history and tell it to my foreign classmates to spread the historical truth.”

Wu Qi: Wu, a student at Nanjing Xuanwu Secondary Vocational School, visited the Memorial Hall for the third time. Wu will soon study in Singapore. “During this trip, I heard the expert talk about this history and learned about the story behind Zijin Cao. That helped me gain a deeper understanding of the history. When I go to Singapore, I’ll tell the history of the Nanjing Massacre to my classmates there. I’ll be a messenger of peace and let the world hear my voice of peace.”

After the study tour finished, Zijin Cao International Peace School issued the “Messenger of Peace” certificate to the students. May they remember the history and bring the seeds of peace to every corner of the world.