How can researchers truly grasp the cultural heartbeat of China? For Elena Poliakova, a Russian assistant professor at France’s IÉSEG School of Management, the answer is simple: go there. 🛫
Poliakova recently joined the 2024 Future Close-Up program, a youth exchange initiative co-hosted by the China International Communications Group and partners, to experience the Chinese mainland firsthand. In an interview with CGTN, she emphasized that \"textbooks and headlines alone can’t decode the nuances\" between Eastern and Western cultures. 🔍
💡 Her takeaway? Scholars studying China should prioritize on-the-ground engagement. \"Walking through its cities, talking to its people—that’s where understanding begins,\" she said, comparing the journey to \"unlocking a cultural TikTok algorithm—you need to scroll deeper than the trending page.\" 📲
Poliakova’s insights highlight a growing trend: as global youth seek authentic connections, immersive exchanges like the Future Close-Up program are becoming keys to bridging divides. 🤝 For young professionals and students eyeing Asia’s rise, her message is clear: See China, then analyze it.
