China Youth Tech & Culture Exchange — Field Notes from Beijing (Aug 1–9, 2025)
Visit at the Swiss Embassy in Beijing
Nine days. Eight countries. 120+ students. Our Geneva delegation joined an international youth program in Beijing, merging hands-on robotics, university labs, and cultural diplomacy. Below is a snapshot of what we built, learned, and brought home.
Why this matters
At Global Shapers, we believe real leadership is forged by doing. This exchange put young people in the driver’s seat—solving problems in teams, navigating new cultures, and meeting the people who shape science, policy, and industry in China. The result: sharper skills, new friendships, and a wider sense of possibility.
The delegation & dates
Our group of high school students—Milan Racovita, John Kirkman, Arno Albert, Aryaman Pothula, Aurélien Bertolotto, David Moniz Gonçalves—and Ali Jouini, Global Shaper of our hub—traveled from Switzerland to Beijing from August 1 to 9, 2025.
Program at a glance
International Robotics Challenge (Days 2–4): From assembling drones and mini-bots to scoring points on technical tasks, the arena buzzed with 120+ participants. The challenge culminated in a closing ceremony where all teams were recognized.
University Immersions (BUPT): Morning sessions at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT) covered mechanical systems, robotics (including surgical assistance systems and quadruped “robot dogs”), and space robotics. Afternoons explored Beijing’s science museum and historic observatory.
Public-diplomacy moment: A highlight was a meeting at the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing, hosted by Ambassador Juerg Bürri and Deputy Head for Science, Technology & Education Céline Badertscher. Students learned firsthand how Switzerland builds scientific and educational ties abroad.
Cultural exploration: From Dashilan’s historic lanes to the Great Wall (Juyongguan), the group experienced Beijing’s layers—past, present, and future.
Day-by-day highlights (short version)
Day 1 — Touchdown & Orientation: Teams converged at Liuxiwen International Exchange Camp and took in city views from the CCTV Tower—first steps, first bonds.
Days 2–3 — Build, test, iterate: The robotics challenge kicked off; students collaborated across countries, troubleshooting and tuning bots under time pressure.
Day 4 — Recognition & City Walks: Closing ceremony with certificates, then a slice of local life across Dashilan and China World Mall.
Day 5 — From theory to practice: At BUPT’s Future Science Park, a hands-on session with engines and gear systems connected classroom concepts to real-world engineering.
Day 6 — Robotics in health: Live demos of quadruped robots and a robotic system for neurosurgical tasks—plus a packed visit to the China Science & Technology Museum.
Day 7 — Science & Statecraft: Radioastronomy basics at BUPT, then an eye-opening conversation over coffee at the Swiss Embassy—ending with a shared Peking duck dinner.
Day 8 — Space robotics & the Great Wall: Final lecture on space-grade robotics and a memorable (steep!) climb at Juyongguan under a light, welcome rain.
Day 9 — Farewell: Staggered departures and many promises to reconnect—both in Switzerland and online.
What we learned
Engineering under constraints: Real-time troubleshooting sharpened problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience—the same muscles leaders need in fast-changing environments.
Frontier tech, close-up: From surgical robotics to space manipulators, students saw how research moves from lab demo to societal impact.
Diplomacy is human-scale: The embassy visit demystified international cooperation—showing how science, education, and culture translate into practical partnerships.
Gratitude
Thank you to our partner Whalesbot for inviting us, our hosts and educators at China Service Center for Scholarly Exchange & BUPT, to the organizers of the youth robotics program, and to the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing for opening their doors—and our minds.
What’s next
Back in Geneva, participants are sharing learnings with peers, exploring follow-up projects in robotics and applied AI, and strengthening ties with international partners met during the program. If you’d like to collaborate—or invite our delegation to speak—reach out to the Global Shapers Geneva Hub.
Below are some of the capture of our Trip!
