Students from various departments of the University of Crete took part in the Young Envoys Scholarship (YES) Program, gaining the unique opportunity to visit several prestigious universities across China.

Through a dynamic mix of academic sessions and cultural experiences, participants deepened their understanding of China’s educational landscape while building lasting intercultural and academic connections between Greece and China.

University of Crete student Elena Tsotsi was among those who participated in the prestigious YES summer program in China, supported by Chinese scholarships. Her journey took her from Beijing’s Central University of Finance and Economics, where she explored Entrepreneurship in the Digital Era, to Wuhan University, where she studied Traditional Chinese Arts and Culture. Through intensive courses, teamwork, and immersive cultural experiences -from climbing the Great Wall and attending lectures on strategic entrepreneurship to practicing calligraphy and ceramics- Elena gained a profound appreciation of China’s dynamic balance between tradition and innovation. “The program transformed my understanding of global connectivity and cross-cultural collaboration,” she reflected, noting how lessons in entrepreneurship and intercultural communication deepened both her academic and personal growth.

Other University of Crete students who joined the YES Summer Programs in Beijing, Nanjing, and Wuhan shared similarly transformative impressions. They highlighted China’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and education, and the warm hospitality extended by partner universities. They all described the experience as an inspiring blend of academic challenge, cultural discovery, and friendship-building across borders. Whether studying aeronautics at NUAA in Nanjing or engaging in cultural workshops and technology seminars, participants returned with broadened horizons and strengthened global perspectives, reaffirming the University of Crete’s dedication to fostering international mobility and meaningful intercultural exchange.