Clonakilty native and UCC student Susan Butler will travel to China on an Irish Universities Association (IUA) and China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) Summer Scholarship, which aims to further strengthen the links between Ireland and China.

For the first trip, eight students from six universities, are participating in the summer school and commenced a three-week language and culture programme at Beijing Normal University (BNU) this month.

The students will get the opportunity to learn new skills such as Tai Chi, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese Mandarin as well as visiting Beijing’s famous attractions and experiencing life in China.

“We had a very interesting business lecture which focused on Negotiation Analysis in China,” said Susan.

“During role plays, we had an introduction to the skill of bargaining and how business is conducted here,” she added.

Susan said her future ambition is “to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs in creating strong links between Ireland and the rest of the world or to work in Education Policy to ensure that all children have equal access to education and opportunities.”

The students will embark on a five-week internship at leading Chinese companies in the Beijing area.

French and Psychology student Susan will be placed with the Taihe Institute which is one of the leading Chinese think tanks, which focuses on finding solutions through research to contemporary developmental issues in China.

Sinéad Lucey, Head of International Affairs and External Engagement for the Irish Universities Association, said:

“This is the first Irish University sectoral scholarship for a summer school in China and it is our ambition to fund over 500 students in the coming years.”