Recently, the International Education College of East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) organized a one-day industry and culture immersion for 46 international students from 21 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Georgia, Spain, and Indonesia. The group traveled to Jiaxing in Zhejiang Province, where they visited Satellite Chemical Co., Ltd. for an on-site corporate learning experience and explored the historic Yuehe Street district, blending professional development with cultural discovery.

The visit was a key component of the “Second Classroom” initiative under ECUST’s international joint degree programs, specifically as part of the “Corporate Engagement and Career Development” module. The Second Classroom follows a credit-incentive model: students earn credits by participating in relevant activities, which can be counted toward their academic requirements once a certain threshold is met. Designed to offer students a deeper understanding of China’s leading industries, the module provides direct opportunities for interaction with companies, helping students clarify their career aspirations while bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world industry needs.

  

The group began their day at Satellite Chemical’s headquarters in Jiaxing. A tour of the company’s exhibition hall traced the firm’s evolution from a local start-up to an industry player with an integrated supply chain spanning basic chemicals to advanced materials. Guides highlighted key products, including superabsorbent polymers for diapers and specialty materials for photovoltaic films. Students listened closely, snapping photos as they went. Many were intrigued by how materials that seem invisible or intangible play such visible roles in everyday life.

The visit was followed by a career talk on Satellite Chemical’s overseas operations and international talent development programs. A company representative walked students through the firm’s global footprint and its initiatives for nurturing young professionals. The session saw lively engagement—students asked questions about internship opportunities, career pathways, and cross-cultural work environments, with the representative offering detailed responses. Many students later noted that the experience gave them a clearer picture of a leading player in China’s chemical industry and offered valuable insights for their own career planning.

The afternoon took the group to Jiaxing’s Yuehe Historic District, a preserved water town that offered a glimpse into life along the ancient canals. Students wandered through streets lined with traditional whitewashed buildings and dark-tiled roofs, crossing stone bridges that arched over slow-moving waterways. For many, it was a world apart from the gleaming industrial facilities they had visited just hours earlier—a reminder that China’s story is also written in its historic alleyways and the rhythms of everyday life.

About Satellite Chemical Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2005 and listed on the stock market in 2011, Satellite Chemical Co., Ltd. has grown into one of China’s leading players in the acrylic acid and ester industry. The company focuses on building an integrated supply chain for chemicals and new materials using green and low-carbon feedstocks. Its R&D efforts center on high-end polyolefins, electronic chemicals, hydrogen utilization, and carbon dioxide valorization. With applications spanning aerospace, semiconductors, healthcare, and beyond, Satellite is committed to expanding its “ecosystem” of advanced chemical materials.

Source: East China University of Science and Technology