What do you think about the CESL? What type of school is it? As one of the first year students in CESL, Ive often been asked about such questions by my friends, my family and people who interested in this new project. Usually I would answer: Its pretty cool! Because I wake up everyday, this place made me full of expectation and passion as well. Why is that? How come it makes me feel right? Ill try to take a few memorable moments to share with you all.

I. The decision in the afternoon.
One afternoon, I saw the enrollment notice of CESL by accident and I was attracted by it in the very first sight. Because at that moment, I realized that CESL fits my career target perfectly. My dream is to be an international lawyer, which means merely knowing the Chinese law is far not enough. I always feel I should learn more, not only basic international law, but also some other important countries law. I know that Europe has become more and more important to China nowadays since the deeper cooperating relationship between the two in both economy and in legal fields. So it was a flash in my mind that CESL seemed to be the best choice, which provides a general legal education in Chinese law, European law, International law and comparative law in all.

II. Life in CESL is tough but happy.
Mom told me that one can find his own happiness if he had a crystal clear target, and kept on working on such right direction everyday. If thats the point, I would say, CESL is the place where makes me happy, although such happiness also comes with hard working and pressures in the meantime.

CESL is the admirable experience for me. It could be fascinating, pressuring, sometimes even discouraging, but always challenging. The lecture in CESL is extremely different from any other classes Ive ever taken. Professors were from the partner universities all over the Europe, they taught us the Real European law in English without any translation or modification. Of course, Ive met many difficulties in the year, among which language problem was the toughest one. It was the first time I attend the law lecture all in English; it was the first time I answer the examination paper in English; and it was the first time I experience the European education. In the very beginning, I could only understand 60% of the lecture, which made me quite depressed. So I seek help from professors, classmates, also from books in library, and I spent most of spare time on reviewing and preparing the lecture. Believe it or not, later on the situation has become better and better: I could understand more, I could follow the logic of professor easily, and I could even attend the class debating in English. By the end of the first year, thanks to patient teaching from professors and hard working from myself, I knew the framework and content of EU Law; the classical EU case law; the rules in different fields (such as private law, regulatory law); and I also got chance to think about the sprits behind the law. Besides, from the splendid lectures, I got to know the European legal logic. Comparing it with our Chinese way of thinking, I have gained a lot in CESL. But still, the most important thing CESL taught me was that sometimes life is going to hit me in the head with brick, but dont lose faith.

Academic life was fascinating in CESL, but then I aware that this new school was not only the place to study, but also a channel for closing to the outside world. Recalling the whole year, we were invited to go to the Belgian embassy and had discussion about "United States of Europe" there; we also attended a garden party to Celebrate Europe Day. And now we are gathered here, staying hungry, staying foolish, to participate this summer school. All those activities from CESL made me feel the true Europe, and made me understand that there is a magical continent where has well developed legal system, centuries-old history, glorious culture and hospitable people. Im sure none of these fabulous experiences would have happened if I hadnt chosen CESL. It is like an open window, through which I can explore the whole world!

III. Im not alone there.
As an old word saying, Birds of a feather flock together. Indeed, being a student in CESL, I could never feel lonely here, because all of my classmates are very intelligent, passionate, and studious. We work together everyday in CESL, learning new knowledge, exchanging different opinions, fighting against examinations, struggling for our dreams. I dont know whether it is the CESL who choose us, or vice versa. But apparently, we shared the same sprit in this big family, which is temperamental predominance of courage over timidity; the appetite for adventure over the love of ease. And thats what people called youth and energy.

Finally, I would say, the CESL is the combination of the best professors; the most wonderful lectures; the magnificent way to know the world, and the warmest family, which is the eternal home for all of us. Im sure that I will be definitely transformed by my years at CESL, the friendships I made here and the ideas I worked on will be my lifelong treasure.

That is nice to hear Miao

I´m for about to apply to this program and I would like to know about accomodation in the university. Did you stay on campus while the program lasted? or did you have to rent an apt?
Thank you so much for your response,
Maria

i don't know where are you from, china mainland? or overseas? the school will arrange the dormitory for all the students during the program lasted, and of course you can rent an apt near the campus, actually some of my international classmates are doing so.

Hello, It's me again.
how are you doing??
I have a question and I was hoping you can help me with it.
I have sent my application in March and I still haven't heard back from the university. How long does it take you to have a reply from them? Will I receive an email?
I'm kind of worried because I have sent an email asking about the status of my application more than a week ago and nobody reply to me yet. And today a resend the email and it was "undeliverable".
Thank you for your response.
Maria

PS: I'm from Argentina (South America)

hey! the application for Chinese students has just finished last week, so i think the application of the foreign students will come to a result very soon. you may dail the number 86-10-59915792 during the work time in china, from Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm is always valid.

Thank you for your response!
I will try to contact them on the phone.
So how is the program so far? you have 3 more moths left, right?? where are you from?
Best Regards,
Maria

i am a chinese student...lol...yup i have 3 moths, and now i am preparing for the graduate theisis

i don't know where are you from, china mainland? or overseas? the school will arrange the dormitory for all the students during the program lasted, and of course you can rent an apt near the campus, actually some of my international classmates are doing so.

Dear Beijing Bound,

single apartments are at around 200 Euro around the campus. The best way to find an apartment is via estate agents. Don't worry you don't have to pay for them (in China the landlord pays). The CESL office will help you to find such an estate agent.

Best from the CESL consortium office Hamburg,
Christian

Thanks for the information!! You are a wonderful resource! When are we able to make housing arrangements? Do we have to wait until we get there or will CESL send us the estate agents contact information?

Thank you again. I can not tell you enough how grateful I am for your assistance!

Dear Beijing Bound,

single apartments are at around 200 Euro around the campus. The best way to find an apartment is via estate agents. Don't worry you don't have to pay for them (in China the landlord pays). The CESL office will help you to find such an estate agent.

Best from the CESL consortium office Hamburg,
Christian

This info is really useful!!!! I have also been accepted to the program and still haven't received the package by mail. Does anyone know when the program start?? I mean the exact date? and how long before should we arrive?
Thanks everyone!!!!!!
Maria

This info is really useful!!!! I have also been accepted to the program and still haven't received the package by mail. Does anyone know when the program start?? I mean the exact date? and how long before should we arrive?
Thanks everyone!!!!!!
Maria

Totally agreee!!!!! I'm already with grey hair!! I live exactly half way around the world and I would really like to start buying my tickets at least......and try to start planning my stay there......
How about you??? are you planning to rent an apt?
I was thinking at first staying on campus until I get to know around.
Have you read anything about a week of preparation before Beijing in Torino, Italy??

I too live halfway around the world and have to worry about my visa, ticket and living arrangements!

I have heard nothing about the pre-Beijing summer program either.

I would like to live in apartment, but at this point I am just worried about getting there!

Totally agreee!!!!! I'm already with grey hair!! I live exactly half way around the world and I would really like to start buying my tickets at least......and try to start planning my stay there......
How about you??? are you planning to rent an apt?
I was thinking at first staying on campus until I get to know around.
Have you read anything about a week of preparation before Beijing in Torino, Italy??

I know I know.....so, Where are you from???

Dear Lazio9,

the first lecture will be on Monday, August 29th. I recommend to arrive at least 2 weeks earliear for organizational issues and assimilation.

Unfortunately, there will be no preparatory summer school this time.

Best, Christian

Thank you very much Christian!! you are of great help!!!

I know I know.....so, Where are you from???

Hello Maria and Beijing bound!

I received yesterday the letter by post from CESL but it only contained the official letter of admission and the letter for scolarship! no more informations unfortunately...!!

I sent a mail to Chen Yingfang in order to have the course schedule for the 2011 intake (christmas, winter, easter breaks, organization of semesters...) But she answered that the schedule of MEIL is arranged by Hamburg University, so Cesl will upload it on the MEIL page of CESL website once they receive it from Hamburg.
She only told me that the course will start on September 1. August 30 and August 31 are registration days.

And for the campus I don't know if we have to book a room once we arrive in Beijing or if we have to handle it now...I hope that there will be enough places...!

I read on the CESL website that international students of 2011 intake come from : Britain, Bulgaria, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, Argentina, Belorussia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Rwanda, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, the USA and Uzbekistan !!! It will be amazing !!

Tell me if you have more informations!

Elise