Students from our university took part in the Table Tennis Summer Camp held from June 19 to July 19, organized annually by Shanghai University of Sport (SUS). This is the fifth year that PUCP representatives have participated in the program, based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both universities in 2020.
This year, two PUCP student-athletes were selected: Claudia Flores Suárez from the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, and Valeria Granados Chang from the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Over the course of the four-week program, the students trained and improved their table tennis skills, took introductory classes in Chinese culture and martial arts, and participated in excursions to tourist sites both within and outside the city.
For Claudia Flores, “This program was a unique experience where I got to meet many people from different countries. It was a great opportunity to improve my level and learn techniques and strategies used by Chinese players. The cultural exchange was also very enriching, as I learned about traditional Chinese customs.”
According to Valeria Granados, “It was a highly enriching experience, both athletically and culturally. I had the opportunity to train in a great environment, with international-level coaches and athletes, which helped me improve, learn, and broaden my perspective on the sport. I also learned a lot about Chinese culture by participating in related activities and interacting with local students, as well as with others from different parts of the world. These interactions were very meaningful to me, as they allowed me to expand my knowledge—not only of Chinese culture but of other countries as well. I believe this opportunity gave me valuable lessons not only in sports but also on a personal level, which motivates me to continue growing in all areas. I’m truly happy to have applied and participated, as this experience marked a turning point in my life.”
Jorge Gavidia, table tennis coach at the PUCP Office of Sports Services, remarked that “This wonderful and enriching experience lived by Valeria and Claudia will help them grow both athletically and personally, as well as professionally—and will also have a positive impact on their teammates in the PUCP team.”
Rubén Tang, Head of the Office of Asian Relations at the Academic Office of Institutional Relations (DARI), highlighted that these summer camps provide PUCP students with a first-hand introduction to various aspects of China. In this case, it allowed them to experience the high level of table tennis in China—a country that dominates the sport in both World Championships and the Olympic Games.
Founded in 1952, Shanghai University of Sport (SUS) is a university specializing in sports and sports sciences. It was the first sports university established in China after the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
