From XJTLU to Gambia A Letter, Her Global Stage

“Is interning at an international organisation extremely difficult?” This question lingers in the minds of many university students. For Yuxuan Liu, a Year 2 student majored in International Relations at XJTLU, the answer is far more attainable than most imagine.

During this winter holiday, she participated in the “See the World · Youth Global Competency Training Camp in the UK” via the High-Level International Talent Development Program. Due to her outstanding performance, she earned a recommendation letter from an international organization official and secured an internship at the African Entrepreneurs Association and The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce. Thus began her transformative cross-continental journey.

Rooted at XJTLU: Seeds of Cross-Cultural Understanding Sown Early

“I thrive on cross-cultural exchanges and gain energy from communicating with others,” Yuxuan shared.

XJTLU's fully English-taught environment provided the perfect breeding ground for her passion. The university regularly hosts international lectures featuring scholars around the world. Language Exchange activities also allow her to connect with international peers, sharing cultures and interests.

Since her freshman year, she has taken part in three consecutive cross-cultural research projects with overseas university students, two of which involved partners from Africa.

“I was nervous when I first stepped into the role of team leader,” she recalled. “As a new student adapting to an international campus, I had to lead a team of African members.”

Taking the initiative to coordinate and communicate, she broke free from stereotypes about Africa. Through continuous cross-border collaboration, she sharpened her communication skills and cultivated a strong sense of responsibility.

Such experience laid solid foundation for her international internship. Supported by XJTLU Student Club Support Centre, she enrolled in the Global Governance course under the XJTLU International Competence Program in her first year. When the UK-based global training camp opened for applications in the 2026 winter break, she seized the opportunity without hesitation.

UK Training Camp: A Premium Global Immersive Experience

“I was drawn to the chance to study at the University of Oxford and visit renowned international organizations — a unique combination.”
Eager to explore potential destinations for XJTLU’s 2+2 program and witness the inner workings of international bodies firsthand, she joined the high-caliber UK training camp.

Centered on global governance and youth development, the program delivered a top-tier international experience. It featured exclusive lectures at Oxford’s New College, field visits to leading institutions including the International Maritime Organization, and tours of elite UK universities, comprehensively enhancing students’ global literacy.

In Oxford’s lectures, professors explored the evolving role of universities with open-ended discussions. “Many questions are rooted in campus life with no definitive answers,” she noted. Such openness made her realize that meaningful change relies on collective, long-term efforts by individuals and small communities.

Lectures on innovation and entrepreneurship, delivered by Mr. Black, Head of Oxford’s Career Services, perfectly aligned with her XJTLU coursework. The overlap of knowledge made learning highly efficient. “It felt fascinating when textbook concepts clicked into place instantly.”

Drawing on her past teamwork experience, Yuxuan once again served as group leader. She arranged tasks, monitored progress and valued every team member’s input, earning full trust through her dedication. For the final video assignment, she leveraged each member’s strengths: delegating editing work to skilled peers while overseeing overall progress and communication. Their reflective memoir-style video won high praise from program instructors. “This experience redefined leadership for me,” she said. “True leadership is not about doing everything alone, but about trusting and collaborating with others.”

The camp also bridged young talents with global institutions. During her visit to the International Maritime Organization, a specialized UN agency, she proactively consulted professionals about operational challenges. Their insights into funding difficulties and institutional differences deepened her understanding of real-world international organization operations, equipping her with flexibility for her upcoming internship.

From a Standout Recommendation to A Global Internship

Yuxuan received an exclusive letter of recommendation from an international organization official due to her outstanding performance throughout the training camp.

Guided by tutors from the High-Level International Talent Development Program, she refined her resume, highlighting core competencies with targeted keywords and quantifiable achievements to match internship requirements.

Though still a sophomore, she stood out with remarkable strengths: solid academic foundations in International Relations, rich cross-cultural collaboration experience with African students, and practical exposure from the UK training camp—all enabling smooth cross-cultural communication and cooperation.

In February 2026, she officially commenced her remote internship with the African Entrepreneurs Association and The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce.

Bridging Time Zones: Growth and Trust in Remote Global Work

Her daily work included profiling outstanding young Gambian entrepreneurs, designing festival promotional posters, and drafting member questionnaires.

“I’ve realized that core skills are highly transferable,” she reflected. While academic assignments at XJTLU follow strict academic standards, international organization work prioritizes institutional needs—requiring agile adjustment and adaptive thinking.

Heartwarming moments made her internship journey even more rewarding. With patient guidance and full trust from her supervisor, she took on additional creative design tasks beyond her core duties. Words of affirmation like “I believe in you” built a strong, genuine bond despite never meeting in person and communicating solely via emails. “Being recognized and trusted motivates me to deliver my best,” she shared. “It proves that sincerity and responsibility transcend geographical distance in cross-cultural communication.”

New Visions: Endless Possibilities Unlocked by the Internship

This overseas internship has rewarded her with far more than a polished resume.

She built a supportive network with fellow interns, who shared resources and collaborated smoothly on overlapping tasks.

Balancing full-time studies and remote work also strengthened her time management, multi-tasking and problem-solving skills, fostering a calmer, more resilient mindset.

More importantly, it inspired her academic thinking. As an International Relations student familiar with theories on the Global South and African regional studies, she gained valuable interdisciplinary insights through business and entrepreneurship-focused work in The Gambia.

“This experience opens two distinct career paths for me,” she explained. “With on-the-ground experience in The Gambia, I can pursue African regional research; my exposure to youth entrepreneurship also allows me to explore business-related fields. It helps me clarify my future direction.”

Looking back on her journey from campus to the global stage, Yuxuan shared practical advice for students aspiring to join international organizations. She once hesitated and missed opportunities due to self-doubt, but her journey taught her that opportunities favor the bold. “International organizations value practical expertise and cross-cultural communication above all. Undergraduates, even lower-year students, should not underestimate themselves. Steady self-improvement and proactive practice will lead to breakthroughs.”

She summed up three key takeaways: First, Master your major expertise to lay the foundation of credibility; Second, Prioritize timely communication, especially in remote work, to reduce cross-cultural barriers; Third, Stay self-motivated and reflective to grow rapidly through practice.“Let go of past regrets. Focus on small, steady steps every day, and you will reap your own rewards in time.”

From the classrooms of XJTLU, to the lecture halls of Oxford, and to a remote role connecting with The Gambia—the global stage is never out of reach. As she puts it: “Sometimes, all that stands between you and your ideal future is the courage to believe in yourself.”

Reposted from XJTLU International Competence