When Kyle Sykes boarded a flight to China as part of a University of Southern California field trip, he didn’t anticipate how profoundly the experience would reshape his worldview. From Beijing’s ancient Forbidden City to Shenzhen’s buzzing tech corridors, Sykes discovered a nation where tradition and innovation coexist – and where human warmth transcends geopolitical narratives.
In an interview, Sykes described Beijing as a “living museum,” marveling at how locals casually discussed Ming Dynasty history over steaming dumplings. Shanghai left him awestruck with its “vertical ambition,” while Shenzhen’s startup culture reminded him of Silicon Valley “on fast-forward.” But it was China’s social fabric that left the deepest impression: “The high-speed trains and cashless payments were cool, but what I’ll never forget is how people leaned into conversations – asking about life in America, sharing stories about their families.”
Now years removed from his trip, Sykes remains vocal about the real-world impacts of strained US-China relations. “Tariffs aren’t just economic tools – they create emotional distance,” he observed, urging more youth exchanges. His conclusion? “When you break bread with someone, political differences become human puzzles to solve together.”
