Discover China 2025

In 2025, Odyssey Project, in partnership with USCEC, led an immersive youth delegation to Southern China with 36 delegates and 14 staff, traveling through Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Jiangmen. The program blended cultural exchange and on-the-ground learning with visits to major tech leaders like Tencent and BYD, along with AI-focused companies, giving participants firsthand exposure to how innovation, industry, and everyday life intersect in a rapidly changing society.

Moments from the Field

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Through Our Lens

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Nelson

“I was honored to visit my homeland for the first time and witness firsthand the innovative technology and world-class infrastructure China has to offer. Engaging with a community of like-minded individuals helped me deepen my professional capabilities and gave me life-long friendships.

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Pohai

“China’s beauty lives beyond what stories can capture. It must be witnessed. And once it is, you are transformed with a new spirit of understanding and curiosity. It was a true pleasure to explore China’s rich history with the Discover China delegation. I returned home not only with a new perspective, but with unexpected friendships and unforgettable memories.”

Emily

“Connecting with individuals from a different culture enabled me to view the world from a new perspective. Through shared experiences, I developed friendships and approached our differences with curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.”

Stories from Past Delegates

Milana's Post

In June 2025, I had the honor and privilege of spending nine unforgettable days in China as part of a cultural immersion trip with Odyssey Project and the US-Sino Culture Exchange Consortium (USCEC). When I first heard about the opportunity—only two months before departure—I was hesitant. I had never traveled to China, didn’t know much about the culture, and honestly felt intimidated by the idea of going somewhere so far from everything familiar. But I reminded myself that op

Milana

Jul 31, 20252 min read

Zev Curiel-Friedman’s Post

Having recently returned home to the United States, I’m filled with gratitude reflecting on my second summer traveling to China as part of a youth delegation committed to fostering cross-cultural connection and global community. Hosted in conjunction with two impactful nonprofits — The Odyssey Project and The US-Sino Culture Experience Consortium — this immersive journey gave our group the chance to engage with Chinese culture across various sectors, from education and techno

Zev Curiel-Friedman

Jul 1, 20252 min read

Eli Cochrane’s Post

Over the past two weeks, I had the privilege to travel through China’s Guangdong Province as a delegate of the U.S.-Sino Culture Experience Consortium’s Discover China 2025 program. This incredible opportunity allowed me to engage deeply with China’s economy, social life, and political systems through visits to leading universities, tech companies, and cultural and historical sites. I heard about this program through KU's Trade War Lab, where I research U.S.-China economic an

Eli Cochrane

Jun 30, 20251 min read

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