“Curiosity doesn’t merely help us understand other people; it permits us to understand ourselves beyond the characterization other people assign to us.”
Alice Chen, 2026 Summer Internship Participant
October 26, 2026
To a casual observer, differences are what is conspicuous—what is remembered. Therefore, my small eyes and flat nose easily defined how others perceived me in America: an outsider. I thought traveling to somewhere where everyone else had similar features would eliminate this incongruity. Yet, my rough, tan skin and voluminous, curly hair became the new object of alienating definition in China. Or so I thought, being a casual observer myself.
At my host company, a non-profit organization focused on youth financial literacy and entrepreneurial education, I was greeted by a group of very patient people who tolerated my accented Chinese and mismatched American style. Moreover, curiosity drove our conversations: “How does growing up in America feel as a Chinese person?” Eventually, my coworkers encouraged me to turn my answers into a presentation for students throughout China, akin to a TED Talk highlighting my personal experiences. Seeing that others were eager to hear what I had to say, I became more confident in my identity; what I saw as evidence of my differences was what made people interested in learning about me.
Another important part of my job was showcasing our brilliant students and selfless volunteers through interviews, videos, and articles. A project in particular had me return to the question: “Why did you choose to work here?” One by one, I sat volunteers down in an empty room beside me and attentively listened to their stories. One teacher, Ms. Han, shared that she finds fulfillment in providing students with opportunities to grow outside the classroom, that she feels nervous for them during their presentations, and that she rejoices in their success. “我们都是并肩战斗。” We are all fighting alongside each other, side by side. I was moved. Not only because of the statement itself, but also because of the passion she exuded. And this same passion of wanting to uplift the youth was present in nearly every participant I interviewed—of all ages, all genders, and all backgrounds—as well as myself
Returning to the United States, I am more self-assured about my dual-cultural identity, but more importantly, I walk away with curiosity. Curiosity doesn’t merely help us understand other people; it permits us to understand ourselves beyond the characterization other people assign to us. Beneath external differences are deeper similarities, but only if one is curious enough to look for them
To learn more about the Harvard China Fund Internship program, click here.