EU Alumni Reunite in Chengdu for Homecoming Event

The EU Delegation to China welcomed over 100 alumni of EU study programmes and friends in Chengdu for a new edition of the EU Alumni Homecoming event, celebrating former and current students who have studied across the EU and China.  The gathering brought together graduates, researchers, professionals, diplomats, and students who continue to contribute to academic and cultural exchange between Europe and China.

The evening opened with remarks from Mr. Julio Arias, Political Officer at the EU Delegation to China, who presented a state of play of EU-China relations and emphasised the vital role students and alumni play in EU–China people-to-people engagement. He highlighted how educational mobility and exchange remain central pillars of the broader EU–China relationship. 

“EU-China relations are complex and multifaceted, but strengthening people-to-people ties and everyday cultural exchange is essential for building deeper mutual understanding”,  Mr. Julio Arias said. 

The keynote address, titled “From Erasmus to Chengdu: A Journey of Learning, Teaching, and Cultural Discovery”, was delivered by Dr. Benjamin Laffitte, Post-Doctoral Researcher at Chengdu University of Technology. An alumnus of the Erasmus Lotus+ Programme, Dr. Laffitte took the audience through his academic journey, beginning with his first visit to Sichuan in 2015 and leading up to his current research in climate change modelling and dendroecology. He described teaching as one of the most transformative parts of his experience, reflecting on the nuances of communication, hierarchy, and critical thinking in intercultural classrooms, and how navigating these challenges helped shape his approach as a mentor and scientist. 

The evening continued with a panel discussion featuring Ms. Xiaoyang Qi, Automation Expert at DHL and graduate of TU Dresden, alongside Dr. Laffitte, moderated by Ms. Chiara Rossolini from the EU-managed “EUPOP” public and cultural diplomacy project team. Together, the speakers explored how their international experiences shaped their professional paths, personal identities, and understanding of cultural differences. Both speakers agreed on the vital role alumni can play as “cultural translators”, professionals able to bridge not only languages but also mentalities, working styles, and expectations. 

Following the discussion, participants engaged in a lively Q&A session, sharing their own reflections and questions on cultural adaptation, academic mobility, and the future of EU–China exchange. 

The evening closed with an informal networking reception, where alumni reconnected with peers and met made new connections. 

The “EU Alumni Homecoming” events are part of the EU Delegation to China’s public and cultural outreach activities, supported by the EU’s Foreign Policy Instruments Service (FPI). The next Alumni Homecoming event takes place in Guangzhou on 27 November.

European Union, 2025

European Union, 2025