BXAI

Huynh Phuong An (Julia) made a bold decision in 2023 to leave her role as Communication and Education Manager at TikTok in Vietnam to pursue a master’s degree in marketing at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology with support from the AFLSP. Looking back, she describes this as a defining moment for her in more ways than one.

“I wanted to contribute to my city and my country in a bigger way, and so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself by choosing to study in a different region,” says Julia on her decision to shift away from a promising career path to study abroad. According to Julia, who was born and raised in Vietnam, her move was a countercultural one but ultimately proved to enrich her life personally, academically, and professionally.

As she immersed herself in another culture, Julia found herself reconsidering her perspectives as she developed a broader understanding of global and regional issues. “Being in Hong Kong and then in Shanghai for the Summer Program, my eyes were opened to a much bigger view of China beyond what we hear and learn about in Vietnam,” she says, adding that her appreciation for the importance of mutual understanding also grew by leaps and bounds. “When Ronna spoke to us at the Summer Program, she tied the current conflicts around the world to a lack of cross-cultural communication. The BXAI mission really hit home for me at that point, and I realized how important the work of the AFLSP is,” she reflects. “Many of my peers might become leaders in APAC or their home countries in the future. If we do not know how to communicate with each other now, how can we expect to do so in 20 years’ time when we are dealing with much bigger issues? At the end of the day, everyone wants peace and not war, and so cross-cultural communication is a vital tool to achieve that.” While interning at a local firm in Hong Kong, Julia was able to experience this first-hand. “I came across a difficult supervisor, and initially I was shocked by how different the work culture was compared to Vietnam,” she recalls. “But instead of shying away or avoiding the issue, I decided to stay open-minded and respectful while continuing to communicate with him, and it made a big difference.”

Julia is currently working as a business development specialist at a medical tourism company in Hong Kong that connects local patients with hospitals in Thailand and Malaysia. Her long-term goal is to eventually return to Vietnam, where she hopes to contribute to her city and country as she envisioned at the beginning of her AFLSP journey. “I look forward to bringing back all the knowledge, experience, and insights I have gained from my time abroad to support the advancement of industries such as tourism and healthcare at home,” she says.

Thanks to his multicultural upbringing, Lee Kangmin (Harry), applied to the AFLSP ready to strengthen his cultural intelligence and contribute to Bai Xian’s mission by bringing his unique experiences. He reflects back on his time as a Bai Xian Scholar and considers some of his biggest takeaways and how the AFLSP challenged him to further broaden his perspectives.

Having grown up in Korea and the Philippines, Harry, who is currently in Japan pursuing his master’s degree at Kyoto University, is no stranger to cultural immersion. And though he describes each move to a new country as some of the “hardest challenges” of his life, he believes his journey has enabled him to appreciate the value of fostering connections between people of different cultures. “The mission of BXAI deeply resonates with me as I have seen first-hand the importance of building bridges that transcend borders, language, and culture,” says Harry.

Upon his arrival at the BXAI Summer Program in Shanghai, Harry admits he was concerned that it would be difficult to connect with his fellow scholars, who came from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Once conversations began to flow, however, Harry’s initial apprehension quickly subsided. “I soon realized that our diversity actually served as our common ground,” he says. “At the end of the day, we’re all people. We have similar emotions and we are not so different after all.” As friendships developed over late-night conversations about life, careers, marriage, and dreams, Harry’s perspectives began to shift. “Just hearing about their ideas and experiences, which were so refreshing and different from what I’m used to, enabled me to see the world in a new way,” he says, recalling that his Summer Program peers also inspired him to rethink his future path. “I felt quite uncertain about my future at the time, but hearing the other scholars share their dreams opened my eyes to a host of new possibilities and opportunities.”

For Harry, the final presentation at the end of the Summer Program was one of his AFLSP highlights. Though his team faced cultural barriers and disagreements, he believes the task challenged him to reconsider what it means to be a good team player. “I used to avoid conflict all the time, but I learned that for the sake of the team, we need to address difficult topics even if it is uncomfortable.” The experience also gave him new insights into leadership and community, which he has found particularly helpful as president of the Korean Alumni Association at Kyoto University. “For a community to flourish, I’ve learned that leaders need to encourage active involvement from their team members, and this requires mutual trust, understanding, and alignment of vision. If the community thrives, its members will thrive.”

“The Bai Xian community is one like no other, something I am often reminded of when I travel through different cities. Whether I am home or abroad, in Hong Kong or Kyoto or Singapore, I am always warmly greeted by fellow Bai Xian Scholars and Alumni, who go out of their way to connect with me and explore new places with me. I am so grateful for the sense of community offered by Bai Xian, which provides me a with dependable network of friends that shrinks time and distance to make any place feel like home. We are truly one big family.”

“The Summer Program was a transformative experience filled with excitement, challenges, and connection.  Through workshops, team challenges, and networking opportunities, I was exposed to diverse ideas and learned how to effectively navigate cultural differences to achieve a common goal.  It was fun to make new friends and meet alumni from different cultural backgrounds.  While short, it was an unforgettable journey of growth, connection, and discovery.  I’m so proud to be a part of the BXAI family!”

“One of the biggest highlights of my experience as a BX Scholar was the Summer Program. With support from Bai Xian community members, fellow scholars from my cohort, and university student advisors, the two weeks I spent immersing myself in the vibrant and unique culture of Shanghai were both rewarding and exhilarating. Each day was an opportunity for growth, discovery, and creating valuable memories.  I would like to express my gratitude to the Bai Xian team and the community for offering me such an amazing opportunity.”

“When I applied for the AFLSP, I was deeply inspired by BXAI’s core values such as diversity, respect, and empowerment.  After attending the Summer Program, I truly felt that I had become a part of the Bai Xian community and was so grateful for this opportunity – not only was I impressed by how each lecture aligned with BXAI’s core values, I was also moved by how the scholars sincerely strive to embody these values in their lives.  I am thankful for the lifelong friends I have met through BXAI and hope to continue growing and learning in the future.” 

“During my time with the AFLSP, I appreciated the vibrant diversity of BXAI having met scholars from a wide range of backgrounds and with different personalities, aspirations, and passions.  What impressed me most was how this diversity served as a foundation for a strong, supportive community.  At the Summer Program, many of us became friends, mentors, and even a family, and I was able to gain a deeper understanding of various Asian cultures and perspectives from my fellow scholars, which broadened my horizons.  The AFLSP truly reflects how diversity and respect can bring people together to create meaningful and lasting relationships.” 

” What makes the Bai Xian community so valuable to me is the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of people from completely different backgrounds. Its members are highly accomplished individuals who continuously strive for excellence. These interpersonal connections bridge differences and provide me with invaluable knowledge that cannot be learned from books. During the two-week Summer Program, we engaged in a series of well-designed lectures that allowed us to gain new perspectives, broaden our understanding, and grow together. This experience reinforced the importance of diversity, respect, and collaboration, shaping my mindset and inspiring me to embrace different viewpoints with an open heart.”

“The BXAI Summer Program served as a valuable platform for scholars to form deep bonds, be inspired by one another, and establish lifelong friendships with those from different backgrounds.  The team building session in particular, where more experienced participants shared their insights while younger ones posed questions, offered us a precious opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives.  As one of the younger scholars, I was greatly inspired by the stories and future goals of my more mature counterparts, and was encouraged to strive harder in my own path while considering how I might also inspire others in the future.  As I shared my goals and aspirations with my peers, I felt heard and supported, which strengthened my determination to pursue my dreams with confidence.”

“The BXAI Summer Program served as a valuable platform for scholars to form deep bonds, be inspired by one another, and establish lifelong friendships with those from different backgrounds.  The team building session in particular, where more experienced participants shared their insights while younger ones posed questions, offered us a precious opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives.  As one of the younger scholars, I was greatly inspired by the stories and future goals of my more mature counterparts, and was encouraged to strive harder in my own path while considering how I might also inspire others in the future.  As I shared my goals and aspirations with my peers, I felt heard and supported, which strengthened my determination to pursue my dreams with confidence.”