Nineteen students from Jiangsu are selected to visit Attica in Greece for the purposes of cultural and educational exchange. [Photo/Yangtze Evening News]

A youth exchange program between Jiangsu province and Greece's Attica was launched on Nov 21, marking a new chapter in people-to-people and educational ties between the two regions.

Following a competitive selection process, 19 outstanding high school students from Jiangsu traveled to Greece from Nov 23 to 29. During the visit, they will take part in classes, cultural activities and study tours, engaging directly with local students and exploring Greek history and society.

Yang Shubing, deputy director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, encouraged participants to be proactive learners, confident communicators and thoughtful observers, expressing hope the program will serve as a starting point for deeper cooperation between Jiangsu and Attica in education, culture and youth development.

Spyridon Kritikos, the Greek consul-general in Shanghai, said the visit offered Jiangsu students a valuable opportunity to experience a culture, history and way of life distinct from their own.

He noted the program could help young people to think from a more global perspective, better understand the connections among different societies and cultures, and broaden their horizons.

The exchange, he added, will strengthen participants' cross-cultural communication skills and is expected to benefit students from Athens in future rounds.

Attica is Greece's political, economic, cultural and tourism center, embodying much of the country's vitality.