Emma Bakos is a master’s student from the Faculty of Law at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. She participated in the CESL Chinese Law International Summer School 2025. In this article, Ms. Bakos shares her experiences in summer school.

This summer school has given me a fantastic opportunity to immerse myself in the cultural and academic environment of Beijing, providing an unforgettable experience.

Throughout the studies and the lectures, it has enabled me to confront and reflect on the stark contrasts between Eastern and Western cultures, especially in terms of values and approaches to law. It made me realize how the Chinese and EU legal systems differ in their view of the rule of law and human rights, and made me understand the global legal landscape better, showing me a new possibility to view how society works in different continents. For me, as a Hungarian student from ELTE, we are taught that individual rights and freedom are the main focus in our legal system; however, in China, there is a deeper focus on collective responsibility. They are intertwined with the cultural values and priorities of a society. Whereas in the EU, it only focuses on the self. Neither system is better nor worse than the other. This shift in perspective has encouraged me to think more critically about the balance between individual freedom and social obligations. During the constitutional law lecture I gained a better understanding at the differences between the role of the state and the rule of law. It was quite eye-opening to me to see how the study of law cannot be confined to a singular national or regional context.

Beyond all the academic insights and new perspectives I have gained, it was the city and the people themselves that stole my heart away. Ever since day one, I fell in love with Beijing and the people living here in this gigantic and ancient city. I walk more and more to explore every inch of the rich history and culture of China. The student ambassadors and my classmates – and more specifically the friends I have made here - have all been wonderful travelling partners. From temples to squares, from downtown to the Great Wall, this experience seems like a dream to me. Even just from seeing the locals walking down the street, I understand more of China than ever before. By understanding the people and getting to know their sense of community, kindness and feeling of belonging, I understand China’s legal system better, and why it’s built on collective responsibility. As the days go by, I tend to envy this sense of community, because I feel like in Hungary, people are becoming more divided, and the sense of togetherness and belonging to a community is starting to disappear.

Reflecting on my experiences at the China-EU School of Law Summer School, I realize how much these cross-cultural, legal, and humanistic exchanges have influenced my academic and personal growth. I got to know many wonderful people whom I’ll never forget, and I got a little slice of China through Beijing. But most importantly, I got to be part of something great – a community. I’m looking forward to travelling more in the country.

Photo and text : Emma Bakos

Assistant Editor：Zou Yuekui

Responsible Editor：MA Anna

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