Chinese square dancing, or guangchangwu, attracts not only local women seeking fitness but also foreign fans.
Debrah Roundy, 65-year-old American living in Shanghai, frequently dances with her Chinese friends in a square at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).
Coming to China five years ago through a teaching program with Brigham Young University, Roundy soon became frustrated by local food and language barriers.
With 30 years of experience in ballet, Roundy was attracted to Chinese square dancing, and became a member of a local group.
"The biggest challenge for me was that I had no friends here," Roundy explained, "but square dancing brings me lots of them."
"We communicate with hand gestures and translation software," said Chen Qingdi, the leader of the group.
Even though Roundy now no longer works at SJTU, she continues to dance with her friends.
"[They're] practically my sisters," said Roundy, adding that she hopes to teach people Chinese square dancing in her native Iowa during summer vacation.
