A Chinese student shows how to make dumplings at Harvard. Zhao Yanrong / China Daily

BOSTON - Grassroots Chinese students' associations are taking it upon themselves to bridge the gap between the United States and China at Harvard University.

"Representing China today shouldn't be only dumplings and Chinese-style dresses because people from outside China know it already," said Zhang Huanhuan, chairwoman of China salon and social activities at the Harvard Kennedy School China Society.

China Society is a student association that provides a way for students and fellows to exchange ideas regarding China and to connect Harvard University with Chinese youths.

"What we are doing is leading the communication between China and Harvard to a deeper level, on the economy, society and humanity levels," said Zhang, who is getting her master's degree in public administration at Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

China Salon, a series of events by China Society, is held almost every week. Speakers include officials from China's central government, scholars from top Chinese universities and policymakers from important Chinese economic institutes. The topics range from Chinese migrant workers' living conditions to the massive debts held by Chinese local governments.

In February, China Salon invited Liu Yutong, chief press officer and spokesperson of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nation, to talk about China's "soft power".

The weekly events attract Chinese students as well as students from other countries.

"We hope our events can help non-Chinese students understand China, and help Chinese students, who have been overseas for a while, know what exactly is going on back home," said Zhang, who said she sleeps four hours a night to keep up with her studies and events.

Because of Harvard's reputation, it isn't hard for Chinese student leaders to invite top-level experts in any field.

"Experts are willing to speak at Harvard," Zhang said.

At the same time, another Chinese student organization at Harvard is trying to help American students plan their trips to China.

China Trip is a travel opportunity for students from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). Every year, 15 students from HSPH visit cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Wenchuan county, where a deadly earthquake killed about 68,000 people in 2008.

They focus on China's healthcare, visiting hospitals and health-related government organizations at the state to county levels.

The HSPH Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) conducts a one-week Chinese culture-training course right before the public health students head to China.

"We are Chinese students in the US. We want to not only represent the young generation from China, but also take those American students going to China and help them understand my country," said Liu Zhonghua, president of HSPH CSSA.

The training includes basic Chinese language studies, an introduction of the Chinese healthcare system, such as the relationship between patients and doctors, as well as dining etiquette.

"We hope it can help them understand China more, and make sure they won't be surprised too much during their trip," the 26-year-old man said.

Liu is a second year doctoral student at the HSPH, and he was elected student leader a couple of months ago. The organization has 18 members, including two professors as faculty advisors.

Similar to most Chinese student organizations, Liu and his group offers as much assistance to the Chinese student community as possible.

Liu expanded the functions of HSPH CSSA this year, which covers almost all perspectives of Chinese students' campus life.

"We want to help Chinese students at HSPH have a clear idea of what they're studying at school and the what the health industry is like, which is crucial for their further studies and setting up career plans," Liu said.

A student leader from a Korean student association at Harvard once told Liu she was "jealous" because Chinese students are so enthusiastic about participating in all kind of events on campus.

"Different from the previous Chinese scholars who came to the US and focused only on academic research, the young Chinese generation studying here now are very much open-minded and have a very diversified campus life. That makes Chinese student stand out from the international student community," Liu said.