Global Cultural Adventurers

Recently, Siyao Lyu, from GCA’s partner institution, Harbin Institute of Technology, has successfully completed her internship at the Talent Development Academy for International Organizations.

“During our internship, TDAIO tailored workshops on different themes for us. Unlike the theoretical lectures in the classroom, each topic was explored through case studies to understand its practical significance. In one thematic seminar, our group used the issue of child soldiers in Africa as a case study to discuss solutions to the conflict between local traditions and international human rights protection. Through these practical experiences, we gradually discovered the significance and value of the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, which China and the United Nations have consistently promoted, for the entire world and for all humanity—a concept that benefits every vulnerable child and every person struggling in poverty.”
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“During my internship, I had the opportunity to conduct research and exchanges with international organizations such as UNESCO, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. We delved into the development history of these organizations, and learned how to work within them and contribute to global governance through exchanges with their officials.”

With the semester halfway through, the GCA’s Internship Program for International Organization is progressing steadily and enthusiastically across universities nationwide. The program has reached leading institutions such as Hunan Agricultural University, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, and Southwest University of Science and Technology, extending international organization internship opportunities to a wide range of young students.

Students’ interest and enthusiasm for international organization internships remain high. During the interactive sessions, they engaged in in-depth discussions with GCA program instructors on core issues such as internship tasks, cross-cultural communication skills, and the qualities required for global governance, fully demonstrating the proactive awareness and professional pursuit of contemporary Chinese youth in connecting with the international stage and contributing to global development.

Moving forward, the program will continue to deepen its outreach and provide targeted guidance at universities, helping more Chinese youth hone their cross-cultural collaboration skills and gain insights into global governance rules within international organizations, thus contributing their professional expertise to promoting international cooperation and sustainable development.

Recently, Yutong Meng, from GCA’s partner institution, Capital Normal University, has successfully completed her internship at the Institute of International Exchange.
“I gained a great deal during my internship. In terms of professional skills, my abilities of data integration and expression improved significantly. From writing entries to storytelling, I learned how to make my presentation more engaging and organized while maintaining accuracy. Especially in interactive storytelling tasks, I realized that teaching and cultural dissemination are not one-way outputs, but rather require stimulating the audience’s interest and reflection, allowing them to resonate with the content through participation. Regarding teamwork, my communication and coordination skills improved considerably. Team communication demands efficient and accurate information transmission. When conveying tasks and summarizing opinions, I paid more attention to listening and feedback, ensuring that every team member could keep up with the progress. In terms of cross-cultural understanding, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. Whether it was the Romanian culture shared by my supervisor or considering the differences in understanding across different cultural backgrounds when telling stories and writing, I realized that as an international Chinese language educator in the future, I need to view differences with an open mind and find common ground in communication.”

“This internship allowed me to truly understand the multifaceted value of international Chinese language education: it’s not just about language instruction, but also about cultural transmission, emotional communication, and the exchange of ways of thinking. During these months of internship, I witnessed the complexity and beauty of cross-cultural communication—it requires professional language skills, keen cultural insight, and an open and inclusive attitude. The experience of interactive storytelling made me realize that the effectiveness of cultural dissemination largely depends on participation and emotional resonance. Stories, case studies, and interactive elements are all important bridges for culture to reach the world.”

Recently, Ding Yifan, a student from North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, a partner institution of GCA, has successfully completed her internship at the Talent Development Academy for International Organizations.

“We participated in multi-theme workshops at the Free University of Brussels in Belgium. The internship focused closely on the theme of ‘gender equality.’ Although this topic is frequently discussed in public and media discourse, my in-depth research allowed me to develop a more comprehensive understanding. Through case studies and data analysis, our supervisor helped us recognize the severity of gender inequality on a global scale, as well as the measures taken and challenges faced by different countries and regions in advancing gender equality.”

“Subsequently, we traveled to Paris, France, to embark on a new chapter of the internship. The romantic and artistic ambiance of Paris was palpable, and participating in the UNESCO Youth AI Seminar provided me with deeper insights into the work of international organizations. Our team operated with clear division of labor and close collaboration. During the process of finalizing the project proposal, we underwent numerous rounds of discussion and revisions. From initial vague ideas to the concrete final plan, every step was filled with challenges. Yet, it was precisely these challenges that taught us how to remain calm under pressure, how to seek consensus amid disagreements, and how to translate theoretical knowledge into practical action. In the end, our project proposal received recognition from organizational officials—a validation of our efforts and a powerful testament to the strength of teamwork.”

Recently, Xiaoxiao Hu, from GCA’s partner institution, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, has successfully completed her internship at the World Association for Sustainable Development.

“Three months of social media operation practice have been a valuable journey of growth through exploration and advancement through refinement. From initially scrutinizing the wording of copy to gradually mastering the rhythm of content planning and understanding the logic of communication, I slowly learned how to transform WASD-compliant professional information into social media posts that are both attractive and resonant. With each post, I paid increasing attention to the accuracy of the information, the relevance of the topic, and the audience’s engagement.”

“This experience has convinced me that sustainable development is never a distant, grand narrative; it's hidden in every news story that’s been selected, every piece of data that’s been entered, and every viewpoint that’s been shared. In the future, wherever I am, I will carry this ‘warmth’ gained from practice and continue to be a disseminator and practitioner of the SDGs—because I have truly witnessed how countless small actions, when combined, can grow into a force that changes the world. Thanks for WASD’s opportunity, and thanks for my supervisor’s guidance. This remote internship has long transcended the meaning of ‘work experience’, and become a precious gift in my life.”

Recently, Wenzhen Li, from GCA’s partner institution, Ningxia University, has successfully completed her internship at the Talent Development Academy for International Organizations.

“During my internship, when we entered the European Commission, I saw the circular conference hall from the movies before my eyes, and EU officials kindly explained the working model of the EU system to us. The next day at the workshop, my supervisor asked us to write down keywords related to gender equality on sticky notes. I wrote ‘see’, and I recalled a slogan that had impressed me deeply: ‘We are not shadows, we are the light itself’.”

“On August 12th, I finally set foot in the place I had always longed to work—UNESCO—to participate in the organization's Youth AI Seminar. This time, we became 'international civil servants'. Here, I learned about the inner workings of UNESCO, understood the organization, exchanged ideas with other team members, and watched as these ideas sparked inspiration and creativity, transforming into practical and implementable solutions. I felt a great sense of accomplishment. Here, I dared to raise my hand and speak, pushing my boundaries and allowing UNESCO officials to hear the thoughts and ideas of Chinese youth.”

Recently, Enhua Li, from GCA’s partner institution, Capital Normal University, has successfully completed her internship at the International University of Kyrgyzstan Academic Consortium.

“My internship involved online, all-English teaching, where I explained current Chinese affairs and politics to local students to help them understand the current situation in China. During these sessions, I selected topics such as ‘AI Applications and Development in China’, ‘Ne Zha: The Demon Child Churns the Sea – The Global Rise of Chinese Animation’, ‘China’s Landscapes’, and ‘Chinese Philosophy’ for presentation and discussion.”

“Through this internship, my English skills were comprehensively improved. During lesson preparation, I needed to accurately understand and translate the professional terminology related to the teaching topics, which greatly enriched my vocabulary and refined my English expression. Besides, during the lessons, I needed to use English to provide explanations and guide discussions immediately with students, which enhanced my spoken English and honed my communication skills as a teacher.”

Recently, Jingxuan Bu, from GCA’s partner institution, Northeast Forestry University, has successfully completed her internship at the Talent Development Academy for International Organizations.

“The core of our internship was 12 themed workshops. These workshops, leveraging an innovative ‘theory + practice’ model, made abstract concepts of SDGs and ecology tangible and relevant. The ‘Climate Fresk’ workshop in Week 1 was the most memorable. Upon entering the classroom, colorful cards were already neatly arranged on the table. The instructor smiled and told us we would use a card game to unravel the causal chain of climate change. Our group sat together, starting with fossil fuel combustion and working through the consequences, linking glacier melting, sea level rise, and biodiversity loss. In just two hours, we simulated a clear ‘climate crisis transmission model’. Even more exciting, based on this model, we also proposed a simplified approach to corporate carbon footprint accounting, breaking down the complex process into a few key steps, making it easier for companies to quickly grasp and implement. This was the first time I truly realized that SDG 13 (Climate Action) is not just some distant policy terminology, but rather concrete actions that can be implemented at the level of business production and personal life.”

“The Youth AI Symposium hosted by UNESCO was undoubtedly the ultimate test of our internship achievements. The theme was ‘The Impact of AI on Digital Information Literacy’. Each team was required to complete three tasks within the same day: solution design, case analysis, and presentation. The tight deadline and demanding workload posed a tremendous challenge. Seeing the judges’ approving looks as we presented on stage filled me with a sense of accomplishment. This experience not only allowed me to push the boundaries of my knowledge and understand the pros and cons of AI technology, but also deepened my understanding of the importance of teamwork. As emphasized in SDG 17, only through collaborative efforts can we overcome challenges and achieve our shared goals.”

Recently, the Internship Program for International Organizations (European Field) came to a successful conclusion. During the internship at the Talent Development Academy for International Organizations, over 100 Chinese students participated in a variety of international activities. They attended the Youth AI Specialized Seminar hosted by UNESCO; conducted workshops focusing on global governance, gender equality, and sustainable development; and visited international organizations such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the International Court of Justice in The Hague, gaining a firsthand understanding of global governance. Furthermore, they enhanced their intercultural literacy through visits to cultural landmarks such as the Louvre and Notre Dame de Paris, and participated in French language courses.

With professionalism, passion, and innovation, they have demonstrated to the world that China’s youth possess capability and take on responsibility. They are able to contribute “Chinese wisdom” to global governance. Looking ahead, we look forward to seeing more young Chinese youth take the international stage and continue to make remarkable achievements!

Recently, Xueyou Bi, from GCA’s partner institution, Guilin University Of Electronic Technology, has successfully completed his internship at the European Mosquito Control Association.

“During my internship at EMCA, I was mainly responsible for the design and development of insect detection software. This software aims to analyze insect behavior by shooting videos of insects and baits using computer technology, providing data support for the development of insect reagents. Its application scenarios include insect attraction research and pest control program evaluation. During the software development process, I devoted myself to overcoming various technical difficulties. When my supervisor sent me an email to inform me that the software was ready and expressed his gratitude to me, I felt extremely proud. At that moment, I realized that my efforts were recognized and responded to. I was so excited. This was undoubtedly a great encouragement to me.”

“I gained a lot during my internship. First of all, I made a breakthrough in skills and technology. I successfully applied the theoretical knowledge learned in school to practice, and my programming ability has been significantly improved. I used the popular YOLOv8 to design this insect detection software. Nowadays, YOLOv8 is very popular in many professional fields. Through this internship, I successfully mastered it, which will greatly help me in my future job search. At the same time, since work communication is mainly carried out through English emails, my foreign language ability has also improved greatly, too. In addition, I also deeply felt the difference between school learning and social work. Finally, through this internship, I learned how mosquito control and other global public health issues are closely integrated with technology. I understand how teams from different countries and cultural backgrounds work for a common goal, and promote the progress of global public health through scientific and technological means.”