Friday, 3 October, 2025 - 15:26

On 14th August 2025, the Chinese Mission to the EU in Brussels hosted the Farewell Reception for CSC European Students. A hybrid gathering that brought together outgoing scholarship recipients, policymakers, universities, cultural practitioners, and youth organisations.

Marking the final step before departure, the event connected more than 200 participants on-site and online under one purpose: to turn preparation into action and equip European students with the tools, contacts, and confidence to begin their studies in China.

For the first time, the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) participated in this farewell programme, embedding the student voice in a setting traditionally led by institutions and policymakers. ESN’s presence highlighted how mobility organisations can make the transition from Europe to Asia not only smoother but also more inclusive and community-driven.

ESN’s advice
Representing ESN, Hazal Sude Satkın, Liaison Officer for Asia, addressed the audience with five essentials for a successful and inclusive mobility journey:

  • Build your support circle. Connect with international offices, peer mentors, and local student associations who will help you feel at home.
  • Learn everyday essentials. Even a few words of Mandarin or familiarity with campus apps and mobile payments will go a long way in helping you adapt quickly.
  • Make local friends. Beyond practical guidance, local peers are your best window into everyday culture, often becoming lifelong companions.
  • Stay curious and respectful. Say yes to new experiences, whether joining a local festival, trying unfamiliar food, or exploring cities you’ve never heard of.
  • Travel within China. From ancient temples to ultra-modern skylines, from mountains to rivers, each region offers a different story and perspective.

The intervention underscored that while policy frameworks and scholarships enable mobility, it is community, peer support, and everyday resilience that sustain it.
This focus on peer-to-peer support echoes the findings of the XV ESNsurvey. When asked “Which pre-departure support do you find important to receive?”, exchange students highlighted:

  • Information on financial support (15.37%)
  • Help with the application process (12.43%)
  • Details on available programmes (12.29%)
  • Hearing from previous exchange students (11.84%)
  • Information on courses at potential host universities (10.90%)

These results show the crucial role of thorough pre-departure information and the value of peer-to-peer guidance. Alumni and student volunteers serve as trusted ambassadors of international mobility, ensuring future generations benefit from real experiences, not just institutional briefings.

A shared platform for exchange
The Farewell Reception featured contributions from high-level representatives such as H.E. Fei Shengchao, Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, and H.E. Zhu Jing, Minister of the Chinese Mission to the EU, alongside testimonies from previous scholarship recipients and academic voices. Cultural performances and networking moments complemented the formal agenda, providing both clarity and connection for students about to embark on their journey.

ESN ensured that the lived experience of students was not an afterthought but a central pillar of preparation. The focus on inclusion, wellbeing, and intercultural understanding added a distinctive layer to the programme.

Creating value for students and partners
The event proved transformative in several ways:

  • For students: First peer networks, and a stronger sense of community before departure.
  • For parents: Reassurance that their children will be supported abroad, with opportunities to hear directly from institutions, fostering trust and confidence in the mobility journey.
  • For the Euro-Asian education space: A step toward shaping a new generation of cooperation where students, parents, and institutions jointly co-design inclusive and resilient mobility ecosystems.

Looking ahead
The 2025 Farewell Reception for CSC European Students marked more than a send-off. It demonstrated how events at the intersection of policy, culture, and youth engagement create lasting value for mobility and cooperation.
As the new academic year begins, ESN stands ready to support students through peer-to-peer mentoring and global partnerships, ensuring that every mobility journey is not just a semester abroad, but a bridge to lifelong collaboration.