Thrilling experience

Kenya-born and Harvard-graduated Harriet Kariuki could not be happier about her decision to join YCA. “Coming to YCA is one of the best decisions I have made.” Kariuki has just moved to Beijing as part of YCA 2016 group of scholars, where she will study Chinese politics and international relations.

Growing up in a small village in Kenya, Kariuki’s life changed dramatically after she was able to obtain a full scholarship to Harvard. After graduating, Kariuki jumped at the opportunity offered by YCA and left Boston. Fascinated by East Asia, she chose YCA for the chance to “learn about China’s role in the world from a Chinese perspective,” as well as for the experience of being part of such a diverse, engaging and intellectually-challenging group of young people.

As part of her studies, Kariuki wishes to understand the formula behind China’s economic miracle, and then try to adapt it to developing countries, and specifically to her home.

“I am interested in using China as a lens that other developing countries like Kenya and most African countries can use to develop their own policies. Fifty years ago China was invisible to the world’s view. No one bothered to care about China,” she told Chinafrica. “Today, China is a global leader and is the spearhead of this century’s international relations, culture and economics.”

The YCA’S goal is ambitious: to shape a new generation of leaders with a nuanced understanding of China and its role in the world.

YCA Professor He Yafei said YCA focuses on crosscultural understanding, underlining that such skill will be essential in the future world. “We want to groom crosscultural leaders for our future world. This is the real aim of the YCA. For this, YCA scholars need to understand the long Chinese history, its DNA; not only what China looks like, but what it really is,” he said. “Understanding China will be essential for the rest of the world, because they will have to deal with China.”