More than 1,400 international students from 93 countries and regions choose XJTLU
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) began the 2026 academic year with a record intake. On 2 September, XJTLU Global’s induction session welcomed more than 1,436 international students from 93 countries and regions, across undergraduate, postgraduate, exchange, and visiting programmes.
XJTLU’s 2026 international students
In their first few weeks, students need to navigate the complexity of starting their lives in China. To help with this, XJTLU Global held an induction session led by Markus Davis, International Student Support Officer, covering essential information from Chinese language courses and visa compliance to campus safety, mental health resources, and student support services. The session gave new arrivals a clear guide for this transition period.
XJTLU induction session
Professor Zhoulin Ruan, Vice President of Academic Affairs at XJTLU, welcomed the new students in his opening address. He mentioned how they would now enter a linguistically diverse university with one of the best English-language libraries in China.
“These four years are going to be a transformative period in your life,” Professor Ruan said, drawing on his own experience studying in the UK.
“Explore the country, learn the language, and have the best time in China and at XJTLU,” he concluded in his speech.
XJTLU’s 2026 international students
In addition, officers from the local Exit-Entry Bureau and legal representatives briefed the students on how to remain safe during their study period in China, including how to drive safely and avoid online scams.
Starting their journey
Among them, more than 900 undergraduate and 150 postgraduate students are starting their full-time studies at the University. One of them is Yulia Stoyanova Avdzhieva from Bulgaria, who is studying the BEng Architecture programme at XJTLU’s Design School.
“The thing that I liked most about the programme was that we get two degrees at the end,” Avdzhieva said, citing the XJTLU and University of Liverpool dual degree she will obtain at the end of her studies. “The campus is amazing and the induction process has made it comfortable and easy for us to integrate,” she said.
When asked about her hopes during her studies, she said: “I’m hoping to make a lot of new friends from all around the world.”
Similarly, Sereen Mazen Saleh from Jordan, who will be studying the BA International Business with a Language programme at International Business School Suzhou, said: “I’m hoping to meet people from all over the world and build new connections.”
“I really like Suzhou so far. I love its nature and the weather,” she said.
Sacha Ghalili from the US commented on how XJTLU seems to be very progressive in terms of its technology use. “The AI integration at the University particularly stands out to me,” Ghalili said. He will be starting his postgraduate studies in MSc Digital Media and Global Communication at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Sacha Ghalili (right) and other new international students
Dr Kirsty Mattinson, Head of XJTLU Global, said: “This year the international students came from 93 countries and regions, which is more than in previous years; usually we get between 50 and 60.” According to admissions data, the 2026 international student cohort at XJTLU is the most diverse in the University’s history.
“I hope they have enjoyed the challenging period of arrival and settle in soon,” Dr. Mattinson said. “ we all hope they enjoy their classes when they start next week’.
XJTLU’s 2026 international students
An enriching exchange
More than 260 students came from 63 universities for exchange at XJTLU, including from CY Cergy Paris Université, France; BI Norwegian Business School, Norway; and the University of Waterloo, Canada.
Domenico Tavella, a third-year bachelor’s student of Language, Culture and Society of Asia and Mediterranean Africa at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy, came for a six-month language programme at XJTLU. “My priority is to improve my Chinese, but I also really want to explore China’s culture and travel,” Tavella said.
“When I first saw the exchange programme and all the possible universities I could choose, XJTLU really stood out. It felt very innovative and international; in my experience it is not easy to find other universities like this in China,” he added.
Natalie Huang, a 3rd-year student from Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany, is on a one-semester exchange at XJTLU. “The University is very organised and smooth with communication; the accommodation is great as well. I think Suzhou is really nice because of its mixture of modernity and history,” Huang said when asked about her experience so far.
The induction session
XJTLU Global’s role goes beyond helping international students settle into Suzhou; it also ensures students are supported throughout their studies.
Lin Zhu, International Student Recruitment and Development Manager at XJTLU Global, said: “This week is essential for all international students. Once you have a good start, it usually helps set a positive tone for the rest of the year.”
Zhu also noticed a significant trend: 28% of postgraduate students are from our partner universities and many were former exchange or visiting students at XJTLU. “They usually have a very good experience when they study at the University, which might be why they decided to come back to continue their postgraduate studies here,” she said.
By Vionna Fiducia Theja
Edited by Xinmin Han
Photos by Alexon Hu
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