More than 50 students majoring in International Trade at the China University of Petroleum in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, were assigned a special, somewhat wacky project for homework in late May – write love poems in English with an international trade theme.

Alex Olah, an English teacher at the Qingdao-based China University of Petroleum, breaks down love poems by his students majoring in International Trade. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The unusual task was passed out by Alex Olah, an English teacher, in hopes of creating a light-hearted teaching environment, expanding the students' imaginations as well as opening an outlet for their inner feelings.

Olah asked the 56 students in his two International Trade major classes to compose acrostic love poems, with three lines and a maximum of 10 words, and of course, an international trade theme.

The idea for the assignment was inspired by a contest co-organized by the Shanghai-based Fudan University and Guokr, a Chinese science website, in May, which required contestants to write three-line love poems using science language and symbols.

"I saw the article in China Daily about the poem competition run by science students at Fudan University. We discussed the article in class, and the students said they would like to do something similar," said Olah.

"They felt that the examples of poems in the article by science students were probably quite clever but difficult for non-science people to comprehend. They were sure that they could compose poems that were both romantic and also understandable to the average person."

Based on Olah's criteria of an acrostic, each line must make up an acronym commonly used in international trade, which, in his words, is challenging but also an enjoyable exercise. In addition, it can be a good way for the students to show their love.

"As you know, most students dream of love in college, so many of them were very enthusiastic about this activity. It was a chance for them to express their inner feelings," he said.

There was actually no winner, according to Olah, who suggested that readers of China Daily pick one. The following are some of the best ones.

CIF (Cost, insurance & freight)
Casually I met you and Fell in love.	Convict If you want to be Free, go!	Come here my darling I will give you all my love Forever.
Coffee is lonely without a cup I am lonely without you Forge everlasting love.	Can I love you Forever?	Come to my heart I will hug you Falling in love.
Ceaselessly missing you I'm wasting away For you I don't regret.	Come, darling I implore you Feel my loving.
FOB (Free on board)
For me Only one thing I know Be my girl.	First time I saw you "Oh my god" I thought Because had I found my angel.	Forever Our love will go on and on Boy, be mine.
For me Only you can Board my ship.
FCA (Free carriage)
First time I met you Calling your name in my heart At that moment I fell in love.	Find you amazing Crazy in love Absolutely.
FAS (Free alongside ship)
Falling in love with you Alone Searching for you in my dreams.	First time I saw you Appealing to my soul Say you love me, please.
DDP (Delivered duty paid)
Darkness or Dawn? Please re-assure me.
General (with trade theme)
FOB, CIF, FAS, WTO All those crazy acronyms Now part of my DNA.	You are the buyer FOB, CIF, FAS, whatever My heart is yours.	My love for you Is like China's trade Forever growing.

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