Recently, students from the Asian Campus Semester (ACS) at emlyon business school traveled to Beijing for a journey combining university exchange, technology exploration, and cultural immersion. During the trip, students not only visited the Paris Curie Engineer School at Beijing University of Chemical Technology and engaged in meaningful exchanges with Chinese students, but also explored iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace, experiencing both the historical and modern sides of China up close.

For many international students, this journey became an opportunity to truly step into Chinese society, education, and culture, building a more authentic and multidimensional understanding through direct interaction and experience.

Exploring Chinese Universities and Experiencing Innovation

As a Sino-French joint education institution, the Paris Curie Engineer School at Beijing University of Chemical Technology was established through the collaboration between Beijing University of Chemical Technology and Chimie ParisTech, reflecting the integration of Chinese and French educational approaches. For ACS students, the visit offered not only a deeper understanding of the academic environment and research atmosphere within Chinese universities, but also a firsthand look at the vitality of China’s innovation ecosystem.

During the visit, students explored laboratories, new media classrooms, metaverse AI labs, and motion capture studios, discovering how Chinese universities are developing in the fields of technology, digitalization, and innovation. Compared with classroom-based theoretical learning, these on-site experiences allowed students to more directly feel the rapid pace of technological practice and innovation-driven education in China.

Many students showed strong interest in the laboratory equipment and technological applications, asking questions throughout the visit. Discussions covered topics ranging from artificial intelligence and digital media to technological practice and the future of different industries. At the same time, Chinese and French students also engaged in open and relaxed conversations about academic life, campus experiences, and future career plans. Some talked about differences in learning styles across countries, while others discussed the industries they hoped to enter in the future.

Although the students came from different cultural backgrounds, they shared many common interests when it came to international perspectives, innovation, and future development. More importantly, these face-to-face interactions transformed the idea of “cross-cultural communication” into something concrete and real. Beyond simply visiting a campus, it was this genuine exchange and interaction that became the most valuable part of the experience.

Experiencing China’s History and Urban Rhythm in Beijing

Beyond university exchanges, the city of Beijing itself also became an important lesson within the ACS Asian semester. From the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace to the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven, students gradually immersed themselves in Chinese history while experiencing the unique atmosphere where tradition and modernity coexist.

For many international students visiting China for the first time, this was when they truly understood what it means for Beijing to be an “ancient capital.” The massive city walls, historic architecture, and centuries-old spaces felt less like tourist attractions and more like living cultural memories still embedded within the city itself. Walking through the Forbidden City, students were deeply impressed by the layered palace complexes and the grand architectural order of China’s former imperial center.

▲ ACS at the Forbidden City

At the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven, students discovered another dimension of Chinese culture through the spatial aesthetics and traditional philosophy rooted in Eastern civilization.

▲ ACS at the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven

Standing on the Great Wall, many students also experienced a sense of awe that “photos could never fully capture.” The endless walls stretching across mountains helped them understand, in a tangible way, the scale of Chinese history and geography.

▲ ACS at the Great Wall

Places that students had previously only seen in documentaries, textbooks, or social media suddenly became real experiences they could physically step into and explore.

At the same time, Beijing’s modern side was equally impressive. From urban transportation and public infrastructure to technological applications and the fast pace of city life, students continuously witnessed another side of China’s rapid development throughout their explorations. The coexistence of history and modernity, along with the blend of traditional culture and technological innovation, became one of the most memorable aspects of their Beijing experience.

The Asian Semester Goes Beyond the Classroom

For students in emlyon business school’s ACS program, the Asian semester has never been limited to classroom learning. Truly stepping into different countries and cities — observing, experiencing, and engaging within real cultural and social environments — is what allows students to gain a deeper understanding of diverse ways of thinking, lifestyles, and innovation ecosystems.

Whether through a company visit, a student exchange, or simply exploring a city together, each experience continuously broadens students’ international perspectives. Learning through exploration and growing through exchange is exactly the kind of meaningful experience that the Asian Campus Semester hopes to offer every student.