Alumni Spotlight: From NEXUS CHINA to Tsinghua's Schwarzman Scholars

Meet Khalid Al-Mansoori, a Cambridge Economics graduate who turned down offers from Yale and Stanford after experiencing China firsthand through NEXUS CHINA's Tech Innovation Immersion program. His story exemplifies the transformative power of direct engagement with China's innovation ecosystem.

The Decision That Changed Everything

"Before NEXUS CHINA, my understanding of China was shaped entirely by Western media," Khalid reflects. "I had accepted Yale's offer for a Master's in International Relations, assuming that was the logical next step. But after ten days in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, I realized I had been planning my career based on incomplete information."

During the program, Khalid had exclusive access to ByteDance's AI research labs, participated in roundtable discussions with Tencent executives, and witnessed firsthand the scale of China's technological ambitions. "It wasn't just about seeing impressive technology," he explains. "It was about understanding the mindset, the pace of innovation, and the sheer determination to lead in the 21st century."

Choosing Schwarzman Scholars

The Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University is often called the "Rhodes Scholarship of China." It offers a fully-funded Master's degree in Global Affairs to 200 exceptional students from around the world each year. For Khalid, it was the perfect way to deepen his understanding of China while building a global network.

"After NEXUS CHINA, I knew that understanding China wasn't optional—it was essential for anyone who wants to shape global policy or business in the coming decades," Khalid says. "Schwarzman Scholars offered me the opportunity to learn Mandarin, study China's political economy from Chinese professors, and build relationships with future leaders from 40+ countries."

Life at Tsinghua

Now in his second semester at Tsinghua, Khalid's days are a blend of rigorous academics, cultural immersion, and professional networking. He's taking courses on China's tech policy, Belt and Road economics, and comparative governance systems. His cohort includes former White House staffers, entrepreneurs, journalists, and military officers—all united by a desire to understand China deeply.

"The level of discourse here is extraordinary," Khalid notes. "We debate everything from AI governance to climate policy to the future of multilateralism. And we do it with Chinese classmates who bring perspectives you simply don't encounter in Western universities."

Career Prospects

Khalid's long-term goal is to work at the intersection of Middle Eastern capital and Chinese technology. "The Gulf states are investing hundreds of billions in diversifying their economies, and China is the world's innovation powerhouse," he explains. "There's enormous potential for partnerships in green energy, fintech, and smart cities. But you need people who understand both worlds—and that's exactly what I'm positioning myself to become."

He's already fielding interest from sovereign wealth funds, consulting firms, and tech companies eager to hire someone with his unique combination of Cambridge economics training, China expertise, and regional knowledge.

Advice for Future Participants

"Don't wait until graduate school to engage with China," Khalid advises. "The earlier you start building this understanding, the more options you'll have. NEXUS CHINA gave me a foundation that I'm now building on at Tsinghua. But even if you don't pursue further China studies, that initial exposure is invaluable."

He emphasizes the importance of approaching China with intellectual curiosity rather than preconceptions: "You don't have to agree with everything you see. But you do need to understand it on its own terms. That's what NEXUS CHINA taught me, and it's a lesson that will shape my career for decades to come."