Overcoming hurdles

Studying China

When Dominick was a high school student, he started to teach himself Chinese, because he was drawn to the unique characters. He chose to major in East Asian studies at college, with a focus on China, learning more about the country.

He first came to China in 1998, for a one-year study-abroad program at Peking University. The learning of Chinese language and literature stirred his academic interest in China.

When he finished his master's degree in Chinese studies from the University of London in 2005, he got a job that involved translation and communication at Peking University's China Center for Economic Research, which is now known as the National School of Development.

He has settled down in Beijing since then. His dedication to "Krankin' thru China" made him a member of the Global Young Leaders Dialogue, a program jointly initiated by the Center for China and Globalization and the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies.

Last year, he joined the program's activities and interacted with other foreign participants. Some of them, including Dominick, wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping to express their willingness to promote exchanges and dialogue between China and the rest of the world. Xi replied to them in a letter and commended their efforts to visit various parts of China so as to deepen their understanding of the country.

Contact the writer at xulin@chinadaily.com.cn