Students from various departments of the University of Crete had the opportunity to visit several prestigious universities across China through the YES (Young Envoys Scholarship) Program.
During their stay, they attended academic and cultural activities, strengthening educational and intercultural ties between Greece and China.

Below are experiences shared by students who participated in the program:

👉 Emmanouil Georgios Kaloudis:

With certainty, I can say that this trip was one of the most interesting experiences I have had so far. The hospitality and overall organization of the program exceeded my expectations.

We gained a truly holistic experience of China, as we visited numerous landmarks, museums, and companies. Every day we tried new flavors and local dishes, and we had the opportunity to meet local people and, in turn, better understand their culture.

I wholeheartedly recommend this program to everyone, and I will definitely try to live similar experiences again through the YES Program.

👉 Haris Annet Benjamin:

My participation in the “Splendid Jiangsu 2025” program at Nanjing Medical University was an experience that will undoubtedly remain indelibly etched in my memory. The journey exceeded every expectation – it was marked by a unique blend of contrasts, where innovation and tradition coexisted harmoniously, and the balance between the old and the new was evident in every aspect of Chinese daily life.

Arriving in China, we encountered a country where intricate temples rise beside soaring skyscrapers, and parks surrounding lotus-covered lakes bring together people of all ages — some practicing Tai Chi, an art that dates back to the 8th century, others dancing tango or Zumba, and others playing Mahjong. Nanjing Medical University warmly welcomed us with an opening ceremony and had prepared a carefully designed program that, over the course of two weeks, revealed to participants from all over the world the true magic of China.

As part of the program, we visited the renowned BenQ Medical Centre of Jiangsu and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, home to the state-of-the-art Blood Purification Center — a model of hospital organization and innovation in the field of hemodialysis. Both institutions stood out as examples of how cutting-edge technology can be seamlessly combined with genuine empathy in patient care.

During our research work at Nanjing, together with fellow students from Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Russia, and China, we presented our group project titled “Designing an Evidence-Based COPD Care Package in China” — a timely and essential model of care for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which was only recently incorporated (in September 2024) into China’s National Public Health Program. Our project aimed to develop a comprehensive framework capable of improving patients’ quality of life through evidence-based and interdisciplinary care.

Beyond the lectures and research activities, however, what struck me most about China was its humanity. Despite its vastness, where one might expect people to be more self-focused — as often happens in large cities — I was genuinely touched by how warm and kind everyone was, even strangers. From the university halls to the traditional temples and lush gardens, every moment was a reminder of how beautifully scientific progress, innovation, and modernity can coexist with tradition, culture, and humanity.