The People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia are two friendly countries, and this opportunity to visit and experience China and to absorb knowledge about important issues was truly invaluable. Training course we participated in focused on the topic of poverty reduction methods and applications of Modern Agricultural Technology for Serbia.
This was the first time I traveled such a long distance. The direct flight lasted about ten hours, yet it was very comfortable. Two Chinese women were seated next to me; they were extremely kind, and this positive impression of the people remained with me throughout the entire journey. Even though we did not speak the same language, we managed to communicate through smiles and gestures. They were wonderful women.
When I used to imagine China, my first associations were houses with distinctive roofs, rice fields, and traditional clothing—dresses that always seemed dignified and mystical to me. However, in Beijing, as well as in Fuzhou, I realized that there are parts of the cities with enormous skyscrapers that almost touch the clouds, which demonstrates that China is both a modern and a traditional country at the same time.
My overall impression is excellent. As someone who enjoys learning about new cultures and customs, my visit to China left a deep and lasting impression on my experience.
The AIBO Academy demonstrated perfect organization, starting from the moment our plane landed and Corn welcomed us, through the organization of accommodation, travel to another city—Fuzhou—the return to Beijing, and finally the return flight to our homeland. In addition, Frank, Cassie, and Corn were available every day to assist us with questions and organization. In Fuzhou, Ethan was of immeasurable help; he spent both working and leisure time with us and showed us beautiful places to visit, restaurants, as well as small boats on which we sailed. We also had the opportunity to wear traditional Chinese women’s costumes, walk through the streets, and take photographs. These moments left a strong impression on me. I sincerely hope that future participants in this program will have an equally beautiful experience in China.
My recommendation for the organizer would be to provide more detailed information in advance regarding payment methods (the possibility of paying both in cash and by card, not only through applications). Additionally, I would have liked us to spend a bit more time at the Great Wall of China.
Looking back now, it is difficult to single out just one thing that impressed me the most, because there were so many: from the discipline, modesty, punctuality, and kindness of the people we encountered, through the behavior of drivers in traffic, to the architecture of buildings and beautifully arranged parks. All the lectures organized by the AIBO Academy were interesting in their own way, and I particularly appreciated the discussions, as the lecturers were open to our curiosity. The company visits were also very professional. Regarding shopping, the Pearl Market left a strong impression on me because bargaining is common there, which we found very interesting. Among historical and cultural landmarks, I would single out the Forbidden City—architecturally magnificent, with remarkable attention to detail. The energy of that place feels ancient.
At the end, we received our certificates. It was a true ceremony. The video we watched, containing all the photos and videos created along the way, was emotional; we were happy to have experienced all of this, yet also somewhat sad that it had come to an end. The AIBO team remained with us until our arrival at the airport and our departure for Serbia. They organized all arrangements and provided us with continuous support throughout.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all members of the AIBO Academy who were involved in organizing our visit to China, as well as in all related activities.
I currently work as a researcher at an institute in Serbia. I would like express my gratitude to AIBO Academy for contacting institutes in China and building channel for research communication. It would be highly valuable to further strengthen cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia in the field of science through joint projects or collaborative research activities.
Jovana Cvetković
Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
January 22, 2026
