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For another year EADA has joined in with the Chinese New Year celebration acts. The most important of which was the gala organised by the Chinese Embassy in Spain on 22 January in Barcelona. More than 500 Chinese students from various associations and universities in Spain took part. Yang Fang, president of the Association of Chinese Researchers and Students in Barcelona, and current participant in the EADA International Master in Finance was in charge of organising the event. It was one of the seven EADA Chinese students that took part in this act -with three more in the same programme; one from  International Master in Marketing, another from International Master in Tourism & Hospitality Management and another from International Master in Management–.

Some of the Chinese students concerns

For Yang Fan it was an unforgettable experience: "I got the chance to meet 500 students from different parts of Spain and share with them our impressions in relation to what we were studying at the time, about our future and about the current situation in China". In Yang Fan's opinion, "it's not easy to adapt to a culture that is so different from the Chinese, even more so when your family is so far away, meaning it is important to feel understood by others who are in the same situation as yourself and who have the same worries and doubts".

Most of Chinese young people are considering returning to their country after finishing their studies in Spain, mainly because of the cultural differences and the work opportunities that exist in China

One of the main subjects of conversation was related to when completing their studies in Spain if they would stay here or return home. "The majority want to return to China as they want to take advantage of work opportunities that involve the opening of the economy and new businesses that are developing. But there are also a few like me who would prefer to work in a Spanish company in order to gain more knowledge in our field as well as being able to aspire to a management position of great responsibility in China". 

They also talked about the legal processes they had to resolve in order to work in Spain, "which is something that hampers the wish of many to stay here". To this, we would have to add cultural differences, "because sometimes we do not feel understood".

Chinese talent trained in Barcelona

According to Margaret Chen, a member of the EADA International Advisory Board and founder of the China Spain Innovation and Ventures platform, "it is vital they feel protected by the associations and institutions, above all to receive the advice they need in order to formalise their studies in our country or to gain access to their first job in a Spanish company". Furthermore, she adds, "this allows us to get closer to China, a country that is becoming ever more open to the world, and one which requires new talent to meet its challenges to stay at the forefront of the world economy". In her opinion, "in the search for talent, without a doubt Chinese companies value the fact that they have received training in Europe and, above all, in cities such as Barcelona that is famous for its management training".

In relation to that, Bibiana Camba, director of Admissions at the EADA International Masters, ensures us that “EADA aspires to be a key business school for Asian talent both in Barcelona as well as in their home country”. She adds: "We want to support the Chinese community, helping them to have a unique experience at our business school as well as joining in such important events for them such as the celebration of the Chinese New Year". She concludes that "in the following months we will continue to support the Association of Chinese Researchers and Students in Barcelona in further acts and joint events as well as continuing to guide our students in relation to any queries or doubts they have".