Connecting with Kenna

Send us Fan Mail Nanjing was the capital of six Chinese dynasties. So why did China’s emperors eventually move the capital to Beijing? Kuang Sheng, an economics student at DKU, grew up in Nanjing, China. In this episode, he takes us through Nanjing’s history, from the Ming dynasty and the Great Wall to Sun Yat-sen and the birth of modern China, and shares what it was like growing up in a city where education comes first. He shares: ■ Why dynasties based in Nanjing struggled to last, and why t...

Send us Fan Mail From the open-door parties of Caracas to the LinkedIn-first culture of DC, Amanda explains why in Venezuela, you’re not successful unless you’re happy. Amanda González Mejía was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and grew up in Arlington, just outside Washington, DC. She’s a fourth-year political economy student at DKU, speaks Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and English, and is heading to Beijing as a Schwarzman Scholar. In this episode, she shares how growing up between two capitals s...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take for a culture to survive 500 years of foreign rule, communism and the chaos of the 1990s? Philip and Ivana, two friends from Sofia, take you inside Bulgaria: its turbulent history, deep-rooted faith, sacred family meals and the traditions that still shape daily life today. Philip and Ivana were both born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria. From Roman ruins under Sofia’s streets to grandma’s breakfast table and homemade rakia, they give an honest, funny and...

Send us Fan Mail At 16, Elisa's fascination with quantum computing turned into a global mission to inspire young women to explore the world of quantum. Elisa Torres Durney is the founder of Girls in Quantum, a nonprofit she launched in 2022 to introduce more girls around the world to the field of quantum. Born and raised in Viña del Mar, Chile, Elisa turned a personal passion into an international platform, bringing young women worldwide into the world of quantum computing and science.&...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Mohammad Shazil Imran from Lahore, Pakistan. Shazil founded a nonprofit in 2022 and has been working every day to improve the lives of those around him. He grew up cooking with his mother and learning about the fashion industry from his father—experiences that shaped his perspective on service, resilience, and purpose. In this episode, we talk about life, purpose, God’s plan, and the importance of truly understanding others. "This time too shall pass." ...

Send us Fan Mail My guest is Festus Akintayo Akinsola, a fourth-year undergraduate student at DKU from Southwestern Nigeria. Festus grew up in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State and the largest city in West Africa by landmass. Festus belongs to the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria and speaks the Yoruba language. In this episode, we discuss the vibrant culture of the Yoruba ethnic group, its poetic language, rich music, traditional dishes, and beverages. Tune into today's episode to le...

Send us Fan Mail My guest is Yuchen Zou (Cici), a third-year student at Duke Kunshan University, from Beijing, China. In this episode, we discuss Beijing's rich culture, norms, and way of life. Cici comes from a town in Beijing known for its rigorous academic achievements. During the fall in Beijing, leaves turn red, winter is filled with snow days and snowmen, and year-round, the people strive to succeed academically. Tune into today's episode to learn more about Beijing and Cici's per...

Send us Fan Mail My guest is Kristina Rogozhko, a third-year student at Duke Kunshan University, from Moscow, Russia. In this episode, we discuss Moscow’s culture, norms, and way of life. Kristina comes from a Russian Orthodox family and is the oldest of 7 children. Not only has her global perspective changed since arriving at DKU in 2023, but also her understanding of the culture in which she grew up. Please tune in to today’s episode to learn more about Russia through our discussions! Suppo...

Send us Fan Mail My guest is Kamila Mejia Lay, a fourth-year undergraduate student at Duke Kunshan University, where she studies Political Economy with a focus on Public Policy. Originally from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Kamila is interested in politics, community service, corporate social responsibility, and nonprofit work. She is deeply motivated to improve the education sector in her home country and increase access to quality education across Honduras. Among Central American countries, Hon...