Editor's note: Participants in the METP talked with China Daily reporter Hao Nan to share their thoughts and experiences.

Miriam Robbe

The main point I took with me from the METP is the comprehension of the practicalities of setting up a business in China, as well as the opportunities but also difficulties one might face.

Having the chance to meet Chinese entrepreneurs, academics and METP participants that helped me build a network and relationships is also what I valued.

The language program was very well structured and intensive.

Moreover, the two-week study tour at the beginning of the program gave me a great impression. It was a unique opportunity to get to know Chinese METP participants, their thoughts, ideas, business profiles and behavior. It also allowed us to meet various scholars and businessmen and get a deep insight into the Chinese economy.

We also visited small- and medium-sized companies, which for me was one of the most interesting aspects. This gave me a unique opportunity to observe and understand industrial processes and talk with local employees.

The training will benefit my career in several ways - helping me better understand Chinese business etiquette, improving my level of Chinese and proving a deep insight into China's industrial, economic and legal systems.

Darren Steele

The METP provides an ideal blend of language training, business lectures, inter-cultural training, work placement and networking.

The program's mix of course-based learning with practical experience provided me with the fundamentals I need to build a successful career in China.

I am delighted to say that my host organization offered me a full-time position working as a petroleum and chemical information systems advisor.

Without the training, it would have been extremely difficult to apply my knowledge, experience and skills in a Chinese working environment.

The METP received high level of satisfaction among the students and I think the key to success is the cooperation between the EU and China, which leads to a mutually beneficial exchange of skills, knowledge and experience.

The quality of the participants from both China and Europe also had a positive impact on the results of the program.

By selecting only top management talent and successful entrepreneurs from both sides, it created a platform to facilitate a positive return on investment.

The professionalism and dedication of the Chinese language teachers and supporting staff at the University of International Business and Economics was very impressive.

After just six months of intensive business Chinese classes, I was able to read, write and speak Chinese at a level where I could work and contribute within a Chinese working environment.

Jin Yiyi

We had a three-day trip in the Yangtze River as part of the METP program's inter-culture training.

Staying with 60 European participants on a ship was a quite uncommon and exciting experience. We enjoyed a lot of beautiful scenes of the Yangtze River and all stood aboard saying hello to other passengers.

Participants communicated and exchanged different traditional cultures.

In the morning, we taught European participants tai chi as a kind of morning exercise.

We also received several high-level trainings and the former prime minister of France gave a speech at our commencement.

As a lawyer, I expect to have more dealings with international business cases and this program benefited me a lot.

I got the opportunity to intern at the law firm Hogan Lovells, which brought me precious experience handling an international arbitration case. I also have a better understanding of the internal operation at European enterprises and their decision-making mechanisms.

Liu Lian

What impressed me most was my internship in the UK with a local company.

I am so lucky that I had the chance to work in all different departments so I have a clear view how business runs there.

Most staff members have worked there for their whole career and they showed me clearly what was going on and how to make things happen in the company. I was also deeply moved by the farewell party the company held for me.

I find there were two advantages to the project:

First, gathering together mangers from different countries in different industries and ages, the program offers a fantastic opportunity for us to exchange opinions and ideas.

Second, learning through living, studying and working in a foreign country, we have a deeper understanding of cultural and business differences.

The METP received a high level of satisfaction in its students. From my perspective the keys to success were selection of managers with very different backgrounds and well-designed training courses including internships that enabled us to dive deeply into local people's working and living environments.

Another benefit is the activities after the program that help us keep in close contact with each other.