Adjusting to Belgian reality
Leuven has a lively and vibrant Chinese community of more than 1000 students. When they come to Belgium for the first time, they always experience something of a culture shock. Not surprising, if one takes all the cultural differences into account. For instance, when Shi Xing first arrived at Group T from Beijing Jiaotong University, he was struck by how small everything was in Belgium. Also, studying in Leuven proved to be quite different from his experiences in China.
Building bridges
Xing decided to join the Chinese Students and Scholars Association of Leuven (CSAL), an organization that helps Chinese newcomers. But the CSAL wants to go further than simply help out fellow Chinese students; it wants to build bridges between the Belgian and Chinese cultures and make Belgian students aware of the rich and diverse Chinese culture. This can happen through activities like the monthly Belgian-Chinese football, basketball or badminton competition or the biggest event of all: the Chinese New Year's party at Group T in cooperation with the Confucius Institute at Group T.
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