Hailing from a rural area in Papua New Guinea, Privilia Thomas came to China for to do her master's degree – and embarked on a journey that changed the way she viewed the country. She witnessed how innovation is becoming part of everyday life, while also experiencing the diligence, dedication and warmth of the Chinese people in her daily interactions. After completing her studies in China, she returned to Enga Province and became a university lecturer, bringing what she learned in China back to the classroom. 

Her journey across thousands of miles not only gave her a new perspective on China, but also prompted her to think more deeply about what young people can do for their communities and their country. Today, she hopes to see young people from Papua New Guinea and China engage in closer exchanges and work together to explore new possibilities in fields such as technology and artificial intelligence.