Event Recap: International Student & Young Professionals Mixer

On February 19, the Benelux Chamber, in collaboration with FinnCham China and ColCham, successfully kicked off the first International Students & Young Professionals Mixer in Shanghai. The event brought together over 60 attendees from more than 10 countries, creating a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and professional connections.

A key highlight of the evening was the participation of 20+ students from our Intern2China program, which offers international students the opportunity to gain professional experience at Benelux member companies in Shanghai. The program, managed by the Benelux Chamber, provides a legal framework for students to intern in China for up to six months, strengthening ties between young global talent and the local business community.

During the event, the Benelux Chamber shared insights based on data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, highlighting the shifting landscape of international student mobility. In 2018, China hosted over 500,000 international students, a number that dropped to below 260,000 in 2020 due to global disruptions. However, as predicted by Direct HR and industry experts, this number is expected to gradually rise in the coming years, signaling a renewed interest in China as a study and career destination.

The success of this event marks the beginning of a new series of mixers aimed at fostering connections between international students, young professionals, and businesses in Shanghai.