Orin Lincoln, a Georgia Tech undergraduate studying computer engineering, was accepted to Project Pengyou's inaugural class of Leadership Fellows. Project Pengyou (“péngyǒu” means friend in Chinese) is a grassroots organization promoting better cross-cultural understanding between the United States and China. It forms the alumni network for study abroad and international work experiences in China. Orin's experience in the summer of 2013 on the Georgia Tech China Summer Program prepared him for this opportunity. In China, Orin created meaningful memories with other Georgia Tech students as well as native Chinese students. His experiences expanded his perception of the global community. Upon returning to the United States, he was inspired to encourage others to take advantage of the diverse range of options to study abroad in China.

From three hundred applicants, forty Leadership Fellows were selected to meet at Harvard University for the Project Pengyou Leadership Summit in March 2014. They connected with other alumni over their shared experience of living abroad in China and learned from leaders currently involved in building the US-China relationship. The Leadership Fellows engaged in learning and discussion about community organizing, and the group created strategy on national, regional, and local levels. Orin intends to put his experiences from the Project Pengyou Leadership Summit to action by building a Georgia Tech Project Pengyou chapter, which will partner with existing organizations to plan and carry out events at a local level to promote understanding of China and encourage study abroad opportunities.

Information about the Georgia Tech China Summer Program can be located at www.chinasummer.gatech.edu. Information about Project Pengyou can be found at www.projectpengyou.org.