Summer Gathering by the Water, Friendship in Full Bloom – 2024 Fudan Alumni Association of Greater Washington Hosts Successful Summer Banquet and Paddleboarding Event 

Written by: Buyan Li

At 5 p.m. on July 20, 2024, the DMV Summer Gathering, initiated and organized by the Fudan University Alumni Association of Greater Washington, D.C., kicked off joyfully at the Arlington branch of Peter Chang restaurant.

In addition to strong support from Fudan alumni, the event was also warmly joined by alumni from Nanjing University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and other sister institutions. Notably, two young participants drove over two hours to attend the gathering.

During the dinner, conversations flowed freely and joyfully. The event not only offered a delicious meal but also provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to connect and get to know one another better.

After the meal, the group headed to Key Bridge for a paddleboarding session. Among the dozen or so participants were both seasoned paddleboarding pros and complete beginners. Thanks to the guidance and encouragement from the experienced paddlers, everyone was able to successfully stand up on their boards by the end of the activity.

Together, the group paddled along the Potomac River. The weather was kind—light rain gave way to cloudy skies, with pleasantly mild temperatures that made the experience all the more refreshing. Alumni from various universities formed meaningful connections through this memorable outing.