Chinese students follow Greek studies at Athens University

Hailing from the Beijing Foreign Studies University, 23 students are the first ever group of Chinese students to attend the Athens university, to learn the Greek language, history and culture, China.org reports.

The students are studying at the National University of Athens, as part of cooperative efforts between Greece and China to develop closer cultural relations.

The degree of dedication of the Chinese students is impressive, as they all speak Greek already. “It’s a difficult language, but we are doing well,” said Song Xunghui, 22, who has studied Greek at the University of Ioannina in western Greece and in Athens.

Besides ancient Greek history, philosophy and art, the Chinese students also find Greece a beautiful country.

“We came to find the truth…. Now we can have the correct opinion about Greek people,” Wang Jinyao told China.org, referring to the negative stereotypes blaming the Greek people for the debt crisis.

“I feel it’s a great honour to be here in Greece to live and study. I will tell my parents and friends that Greek people are good and hospitable. It is important to strengthen student and program exchanges,” Wang noted.

The Chinese students disclosed that the faculty staff and students of the School of Philosophy of the Athens university welcomed them with warmth when they arrived at the university, with scholarships that were awarded under a cooperation agreement reached with the Beijing university.

The 23 Chinese students are among the 700, or so, who are expected to receive certification in Modern Greek Studies next summer.

After a successful cooperation with the Beijing Foreign Studies University, the Greek university is exploring more opportunities to expand and deepen ties with other Chinese universities, the China.org report concludes.