Bridging the Pacific: How WKU Connects Chinese and American Youth

Chinese President Xi Jinping said 100,000 young Americans will be invited to visit China for exchanges and study over the next 5 years. He made the remarks on Thursday morning while attending a welcome ceremony at th e White House.

That evening, Rob Marjerison, an associate professor at Wenzhou-Kean University's College of Business and Public Management, appeared on CCTV's flagship evening news program, Xinwen Lianbo, representing the international community in China. Drawing on his experience in China-U.S. cooperative education, he discussed how educational exchanges can help bridge divides and foster closer ties between the peoples of the two countries.

Across the Pacific, a current of goodwill continues to bring young people from China and the United States closer together. As President Xi emphasized on September 24, people are the source of hope for China-U.S. relations, and young people represent their future.

In November 2023, during his visit to the United States, President Xi announced that China was ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and study over the next 5 years. Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU) responded promptly, launching a plan to invite 500 young Americans to China over 5 years and build bridges for dialogue between young people in the two countries. Since 2024, WKU has welcomed a total of 623 visits by young Americans.

Young people on both sides of the Pacific are moving beyond textbooks. Through immersive experiences and meaningful interactions, they are gaining a more complete and firsthand understanding of one another.

From Study Tours to Study in China

Understanding begins with firsthand experience. For many young Americans, a short-term study tour has sparked an interest in pursuing further studies in China.

Ari, who is from Kentucky, joined a short-term study program at WKU in 2024. When she returned in September 2025, she was beginning her undergraduate studies at WKU.

In March 2025, a Travel-learn group from Kean University visited Wenzhou for a nine-day study tour. Before the trip, most participants had not considered studying in China for an extended period. Through classroom activities, visits to sites associated with China's intangible cultural heritage, and in-depth exchanges with faculty and students, four participants went on to spend a semester at WKU as exchange students that fall.

Since 2024, WKU has hosted an annual Sino-US Youth Connect Season. Over the past three years, nine Travel-learn groups have visited WKU and explored different aspects of Chinese culture and society. WKU has also welcomed several groups of teachers and students from Kentucky, a group of around 100 students from 17 U.S. states, and the Work Earn Live Learn program, which has visited China for three consecutive years. Together, these programs have offered participants diverse opportunities to learn about China.

 Learning from One Another Through Exchange

Semester-long exchanges give young people from both countries sustained opportunities to learn from one another across cultures.

Since WKU launched its U.S. exchange program in 2015, Wenzhou-Kean University and Kean University have facilitated nearly 3,000 student exchanges between the two campuses. Programs ranging from one semester to two academic years span business, computer science, architecture and design, psychology, and other fields.

In the United States, WKU students immerse themselves in American academic life, participating in group discussions, research projects, and laboratory work. Some conduct independent research under the guidance of U.S. professors, presenting their findings at academic conferences and having their work featured in university publications. Beyond the classroom, they take part in campus activities and engage with local communities, serving both as students eager to learn and as young ambassadors of Chinese culture.

Zhang Ying, a finance student from the Class of 2020, said, “Through the exchange program at Kean University, I gained professional knowledge and learned what it means to be a responsible, compassionate global citizen.”

International experience helps students strengthen their language skills and develop global competence. More than 70% of WKU graduates pursue further studies, and over 70% of those students gain admission to overseas universities ranked among the world's top 100. Many other graduates also stand out in the workplace, drawing on the international perspectives and experience gained through their education.

In China, American students immerse themselves in Chinese classrooms, campus activities, and local life. They practice tai chi, take part in dragon boat activities, enjoy mooncakes, and visit the hometowns of their Chinese friends. After completing a semester-long exchange at WKU, Kean University student Alessandro was invited to share his experiences in a CCTV feature. He described his time in China as “an irreplaceable learning journey.”

Firsthand experiences in China have also encouraged young Americans to move from simply learning about the country to actively sharing their own stories of China. Exchange student Jasmine launched a vlog series titled My Exchange Life. Amira participated in the production of 24 Hours in Wenzhou, while Mitch's TikTok video garnered more than 12,000 views in less than 24 hours. Through their videos, these students have shared their experiences of China with a wider American audience.

WKU has also introduced dedicated scholarships and an honorary badge recognizing students as “China-U.S. People-to-People Exchange Envoys.” These initiatives provide institutional support for young people to take a more active role in fostering cultural exchange and friendship between the two countries.

President Xi's initiative to invite 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and study over the next five years offers fresh impetus for youth exchanges between the two countries.

Looking ahead, Wenzhou-Kean University will continue to use education as a bridge to promote two-way exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and American youth. By fostering greater understanding and closer ties among young people in both countries, WKU aims to contribute to the steady and sustained development of China-U.S. relations.

English Translation: Yuhang Liu