From Food Apps to Friendship: How One Student Became Harbin’s Cultural Ambassador
At the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, 21-year-old Wang Yi is serving more than coffee and translation help. The Beijing International Studies University student has become an unexpected bridge between Arabic-speaking guests and northeastern Chinese culture – armed with her smartphone and a warm smile.
While assisting Saudi Arabian media crews as a broadcaster service assistant, Wang noticed many struggled with local food apps. She’s since become a halal restaurant matchmaker, recommending everything from lamb skewers to beef noodle hotspots. 🍜✨
‘They showed me how to wear traditional Saudi perfumes,’ Wang told us. ‘Now I smell like frankincense and cardamom!’ Her new friends repaid her kindness with boxes of dates and coffee powder – creating what she calls ‘the sweetest cultural exchange’.
Why It Matters
With over 2,000 volunteers from 45 countries and regions, the Games highlight how Gen Z is redefining sports diplomacy. Wang’s story proves you don’t need a podium to make a difference – just empathy and a charged phone battery. 📱💪
