When Kyle Sykes, a 21-year-old international relations student from the University of Southern California, boarded his flight to China, he expected ancient landmarks and futuristic cities. What he discovered was a tapestry of human connections reshaping his worldview.
Sykes' three-week academic field trip took him from Beijing's Forbidden City to Shanghai's neon-lit skyscrapers and Shenzhen's tech incubators. 'The Great Wall took my breath away,' he told KhabarAsia, 'but the real wonder was how people everywhere wanted to share stories over tea or street food.'
In Shanghai's arts district, Sykes collaborated with local designers on a sustainability project. Shenzhen tech workers invited him to test prototype translation devices. Beijing university students stayed up late discussing Hollywood films and Silicon Valley startups. 'They weren't interested in political debates,' Sykes noted. 'They wanted to know what American youth think about AI ethics or climate solutions.'
This grassroots diplomacy comes as cultural exchanges between the Chinese mainland and the US regain momentum post-pandemic. Sykes' experience underscores what experts call 'the people-first approach' – building trust through shared interests in innovation, education, and creative industries.
'My WeChat friends list doubled,' Sykes laughed. 'Now I'm planning a virtual reality exhibit to show Americans the China I experienced – beyond headlines and history books.'
