Established in 2014 and funded through a unique private-public scheme, YCA is an interdisciplinary master's program focusing on Chinese economics, politics and philosophy, which aims at building bridges between China and the world. Young scholars spend 12 months in residence in Beijing, and then a year dedicated to writing their thesis and undergoing internships in China or elsewhere. For these young scholars, this adventure will transform their world and gives them necessary tools for their future careers.

YCA draws its name, as well as its spirit, from Peking University's first incarnation - Yenching University - founded in 1898. In the tumultuous years of the early 20th century, the university attracted the brightest minds in the country, and has played a leading role in China's intellectual, cultural and economic development ever since.

In his speech to YCA freshmen, Zhu Shanlu, Chairman of Peking University Council, did not fail to point out that newcomers should prove themselves worthy of this great heritage. "Peking University's history is inextricably linked with the historical development and progress of the Chinese nation," he said. "We hope they [the new Yenching Scholars] will join this long tradition and make new breakthroughs while in Peking University."

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 cross-cultural understanding, underlining that such skill will be essential in the future world. "We want to groom cross-cultural 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, 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."

Different perspective

South African student Bulelani Jili, came to the YCA seeking a different perspective on the world, one that he was not able to find in other world-class universities.

After finishing his undergraduate studies at Wesleyan University, in Connecticut of the United States, Jili was looking for a different challenge. "[This] Eurocentric reality did not match my understanding of South Africa's, and the world's current geopolitical moment. Thus, my interest in the YCA and China was generated by its non-western intellectual leanings," he said.

Jili arrived in China for the first time in August, and will study public policy and international relations with a focus on educational policies in China.

For him, like for other young scholars, the YCA program is an opportunity to become immersed in a different, sometimes challenging, world-view. "Having an in-depth study of [China's] history, language, culture, and politics allows one to escape the limits of their perspective; moreover, it allows one to engage with how Chinese people construct their history, politics, and personal narratives. This opportunity to be in China with the Yenching program adds to one's understanding of China," he told ChinAfrica.

For Jili, the relevance of the YCA program for young Africans is directly linked to the changing global situation, as well as to the increasing importance of China for the continent. "The Chinese perspective, and broader global perspective, is necessary as South Africa, Africa, and the world shifts away from the West towards the East, and ultimately as the globe becomes more multilateral," said Jili.

He said this will prove critical in the future, as this exposure to a different understanding of the human experience adds to a person's ability to craft concrete solutions for today's multicultural and globalized world.

Making a difference

Regardless of their field of study or their heritage, YCA scholars all share a strong desire to leave their mark on the world and give back to their community.

For Jili, this means returning home, to South Africa, to apply the knowledge he acquired during his time at the YCA and seek innovative ways to knock down barriers that hinder access to education. "I wish to work in the South African education ministry in the skills development branch," he said, adding that "solving South Africa's educational equity issues is a must in the pursuit of social justice and human development."

Kariuki, for her part, wants to join Kenya's diplomatic corps with an aim of strengthening friendly relations between Kenya and China. To this end, the YCA program will prove priceless, because it not only allows graduates to build a large and diverse network of global connections among future world leaders and policy makers, but also allows them to deeply understand China's complexity and intricacies. "If a diplomat has a deep understanding of the Chinese culture and has mastered the language, it deepens the trust and builds great inter-personal relationships, and as a result strengthens the ties between two countries," Kariuki told ChinAfrica.

The willingness of these two young scholars to use their experience at the YCA to bring about positive change back in their home countries echoes Peking University Council Chairman Zhu's remarks on the underlying mission of YCA and Peking University for China and the world: "We aim to groom talents, but more than this, we aim to inculcate a noble spirit in our students," he said. "One's heart must find the right direction, it must seek truth, virtue, and beauty, and only through education can we achieve this."