BXAI

Shunshi Izumi grew up across cultures, but it was not until his exchange year at Tsinghua University that he truly found his voice.  In Beijing, he was encouraged to be open, honest, and direct – an experience he believes revealed his calling to be a “middleman” that bridges cultures, people, and technologies. 

Born in Hawaii to a Japanese father and Chinese mother, and raised in Canada and Japan, Shunshi has long navigated multiple cultures.  Now a final-year mechanical engineering student at the University of Tokyo, he jokes that he is an “atypical” Japanese or “California roll,” with an identity that blends his Japanese upbringing with a Western outlook and influences from his Chinese roots.  

Moving from Vancouver to Osaka at a young age, Shunshi recalls how his “free and expressive” nature sometimes clashed with a collective culture that prioritized harmony and conformity.  “I felt that nobody understood my perspective, and so I created a ‘shield’ to protect myself,” he says.  It was not until his time at Tsinghua that he felt the freedom to shed this protective “shield”.  Initially choosing to study abroad in China as a way to reconnect with his family heritage, Shunshi instead discovered an inviting space where he was able to open up and be comfortable in his own skin.  “China has aspects of both Western and Japanese cultures,” he explains.  “There are many social structures (like Japan), but people are more free and expressive, kind of like Canadians.”  The Bai Xian community also encouraged him to share his perspectives and thoughts without fear of judgment.  “With my fellow scholars, I felt like I could just be myself,” he says.  “My peers were supportive, genuinely interested, and even encouraged me to take the next step.  It was empowering to be around people who actually listened and believed in me.”  Being in that environment, Shunshi believes, reshaped his communication style – he now aims to be more direct and concise, to lead with questions rather than assumptions, and to stay open and curious. 

His AFLSP experience also influenced his academic and career aspirations.  Immersed in China’s technology-infused lifestyle for a year, Shunshi came to see the importance of integration over invention, i.e., connecting existing tools to real human needs.  He is applying to master’s programs in industrial engineering in the hopes of learning how to align technological logic with societal practicality, guided by a culturally sensitive lens that accounts for the needs of different cultures and societies.  Between machines and people, China and Japan, structure and spontaneity, Shunshi is learning to inhabit the middle – where technology serves real needs and open dialogue becomes the first design decision. 

Chen Yen-Chu joined the AFLSP seeking to strengthen her cultural intelligence while furthering her studies in behavioral economics.  What she gained during her time abroad, however, was something much deeper: a sense of belonging, connection, and a desire to help others and drive change. 

Having grown up in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan, Yen-Chu learned to embrace and adapt to different cultures with curiosity and openness at an early age.  When her university studies brought her back to Taiwan, where her family is originally from, she noticed how her multicultural upbringing set her apart from peers who had stayed in one place – she was not only more comfortable talking to strangers and initiating conversations, she also felt she was more attuned to cultural contrasts. 

Her background prepared her well for her double-degree program, which sent her to Waseda University in Tokyo for three semesters to continue her study of behavioral economics. Though she credits her time in Japan for sharpening her cultural competence, it was the Bai Xian community and her AFLSP experience that truly impacted her.  One of Yen-Chu’s highlights was Waseda’s Enrichment Program, which she especially appreciated as it covered topics beyond her area of study.  One session, in particular, stood out to her as it compared how different countries approach their war histories.  “It’s the kind of knowledge you don’t typically get in class,” she says. “Though we were exploring a potentially sensitive subject, the seminar was a safe space where peers from diverse backgrounds were able to share their thoughts openly and respectfully, and that was really rewarding.” 

At the Summer Program, Yen-Chu instantly found a community that felt safe and relatable, with fellow scholars also having lived between cultures.  “It was easy to talk to people there,” she recalls.  “We connected to each other’s stories, and there was a strong sense of community – I felt like I was part of a big family.”  Late-night chats and conversations with other students also built trust and broadened her perspective.  A groupmate’s decision to become a vegetarian as a personal climate commitment, for example, inspired her to consider how small, consistent actions on a personal level can still drive meaningful change. 

Looking ahead, Yen-Chu plans to pursue a master’s degree to continue studying how minds work through behavioral economics.  She hopes to build on her understanding of human behavior and translate her insights into practical ways to help others and make a difference. 

“To me, intercultural competence means engaging openly with people from different disciplines, cultures, and ways of thinking, especially when perspectives do not naturally align.  As my studies have become more specialized, opportunities to exchange ideas across truly different fields have become rarer, since classes, lab meetings, and conferences often involve people with similar academic backgrounds.  This is what makes BXAI especially valuable to me.  Through the Summer Program, monthly seminars at Kyoto University, and other AFLSP activities, I have had the chance to interact with people from diverse disciplines and cultural contexts.  These spaces encouraged dialogue beyond boundaries and reminded me that meaningful innovation often emerges from such cross-cutting exchanges.” 

The true magic of the 2025 BXAI Summer Program was the incredible web of connections I wove in Tokyo.  I walked away with more than just knowledge; I gained a global family.  Through a wide range of activities from late-night conversations to collaborative seminars, I found kindred spirits halfway across the world, which turned a vast map into a network of familiar faces and lifelong friends.  As a kid from a modest background from Indonesia, this global brotherhood feels like a dream come true.  I am deeply grateful to BXAI and will always carry my AFLSP experiences in my heart.

The Summer Program helped me realize that the world is vast, with countless cultures and perspectives.  Being placed into diverse groups and working with other scholars on projects and tasks gave me the opportunity to truly embrace diversity.  The themes we explored, particularly those about aging nimbly, opened my eyes to the realities of an aging society that we all face today.  What made this experience even more memorable was learning about it in Japan, the world’s first “super-aged” society.  It sparked new thoughts and dilemmas about what can be done to provide support and explore solutions in the near future.  I am deeply grateful for the chance to participate in such a unique summer program, where I have also made lifelong friends.

The Summer Program was a refreshing and memorable experience.  What stood out to me was the chance to explore topics I had never studied before, such as the Enneagram and population aging, which broadened my perspective in unexpected ways.  Just as meaningful were the everyday moments of learning and talking with people from different cultural backgrounds, which made the experience feel engaging and real.  Since the program ended, many of us have stayed in touch and built lasting connections.  I am sincerely grateful to Bai Xian for creating this opportunity, and now have a deeper understanding of the importance of building bridges across cultures. 

What made the BXAI Summer Program in Tokyo unforgettable were the small, shared moments.  Over lunches, long dinners, and late-night conversations, friendships formed faster and deeper than I ever expected.  In just two weeks, sitting around the same tables day after day, we moved beyond introductions and titles to real stories, laughter, and care for one another.  Those meals became spaces of trust, where cultural differences felt natural and actually drew us together.  By the end of the program, we no longer felt like a group of scholars—we felt like a family.  I left Tokyo carrying not just memories, but friendships with people I know will remain part of my life across borders.  

My highlight from the BXAI Summer Program was discovering how conflict can become a catalyst for growth, as long as it takes place within a safe and supportive environment.  Throughout the program, whether I was participating in a workshop, cultural activity, or our final presentations, I also learned to navigate generational and cultural differences with curiosity rather than defensiveness.  The closing banquet was another memorable moment, as it connected me with a Bai Xian Alumnus who offered me advice for my entrepreneurial project and opened up unexpected opportunities for collaboration.  For me, the Summer Program did not simply end after two weeks; it continued through conversations, mentorship, and friendships.  I see my AFLSP journey less as a program to complete, and more as a trajectory towards my future. 

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.