Xin “Lena” Xiang, Artsci’11, is the founder of Open Classroom Experience, a virtual global innovation program for Gen Z leaders that helps them prepare to thrive in an ever-changing world while reimagining how global learning will develop.
Growing up in Toronto, Xiang was a curious child who was always game for trying something new and was “always in the journey of evolving.” Despite growing up in a multicultural city, Xiang never left the Toronto bubble or had exposure to international opportunities and desperately sought out chances to contribute to a collaborative and inclusive environment.
Her journey led her to study economics at Queen’s and the strong sense of heritage drew her in immediately. “I wanted to contribute to a social-oriented cause, and economics is a nice combination of business and policymaking that helps in shaping the future,” says Xiang.
In 2019, Xiang travelled to Vietnam for a yearlong volunteer program through the support of the World University Services of Canada, which allowed her to work on an internationalization strategy with higher education institutes in the ASEAN emerging market. Other work experiences throughout the years also brought her to the United States and China, highlighting how international experiences, especially those in emerging markets with surging economies, can open doors for career growth and personal development. “Emerging markets like Southeast Asia is where innovation and reinvention are needed the most – this is where opportunities lie,” says Xiang.
Xiang understood that international learning opportunities were not accessible to many due to financial barriers and that many opportunities that were available at the time did not build in-demand skill sets or meet job market needs. This sparked the question “How do we do better?” and Open Classroom Experience was born.
Open Classroom Experience empowers the next generation of global-minded business leaders through a flexible 10-week virtual global innovation program that has students co-create with world-class founders from Southeast Asia (Forbes30U30, World Economic Forum YGL, Ashoka Fellows and more) while learning directly from top executives from companies such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, J.P. Morgan, and the World Bank. “The goal of the program is to create a space where youth can accelerate their ideas and careers, surrounded by a world-class community,” says Xiang.
“How do I get influential leaders to invest in me?” says Xiang. “If you want people to invest in you – a mentor, an employer, a business partner, then you have to prove your worth and get them to believe in you ‘Knowing’ a bunch of people doesn’t actually matter. It is what people know about you. What do they think about you? Do they see you as a mover and shaker making, building and creating in this world?”
Xiang states that “people knowing you as a valued creator will lead into dream opportunities.” That’s why, during the program, participants get to manage a meaningful project end-to-end, building up both technical and human skills and showcasing their accomplishments in front of industry leaders.
If you’re interested in co-creation and helping one another grow and joining a community of innovators, then head over to Open Classroom Experience’s website to get involved.
