In a pivotal moment at a university volleyball league in southern France, Yang Jiayi, a finance major from the Sino-French Institute of Renmin University of China, stepped up to serve, with the match point against her team. She delivered ten consecutive points, leading her team to a remarkable comeback victory. 

Yang Jiayi celebrates with her teammates after clinching a dramatic comeback victory in a volleyball league final in France.

As the league's only Asian player, Yang was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in three of six matches this season. Her influence, however, extends far beyond the volleyball court. Through sports, cultural exchange and volunteer work, she has become a young ambassador fostering dialogue and friendship between China and France. 

At 4 pm in KEDGE Business School library, Yang transitions smoothly from studying to training. "Sports have taught me how to focus," she explains, displaying her meticulously planned schedule. "I give 100 percent to learning in class and 100 percent to the game on the court. That's how I make every hour count."

Yang Jiayi waves to the camera while participating in the 2023 Suzhou No 1 Road Around Taihu Lake Marathon.

Yang began her education at RUC's Suzhou Campus and is now completing her third year at KEDGE Business School in Marseille as part of the Sino-French Institute's dual-campus program. Excelling academically, she ranks in the top 10 percent of her class while skillfully balancing her studies with sports.

Though not a sports major, athletics have always been integral to Yang's life. In France, she quickly adapted to new cultures by joining varsity basketball, climbing, and volleyball teams. "Sports spark instant understanding," she says, emphasizing the unspoken teamwork that takes shape when anticipating a teammate's move.

Her French teammates appreciated her strategic "Eastern style," while Yang embraced their relaxed, process-oriented approach. "They taught me to enjoy the game itself," she reflects.

Yang Jiayi introduces Chinese traditions such as paper-cutting and writing the character "Fu" (福) to local children during a "Chinese Culture Workshop" at the Chinese Consulate General in Marseille.

Off the court, Yang extends that spirit of connection through cultural exchange. She has volunteered at the China-France Cultural Forum, Suzhou Jinji Lake Culture and Art Week and the Chinese Consulate General in Marseille, promoting Chinese culture and cross-cultural understanding through her volunteer work.

"Sports taught me that you don't have to be the strongest individual," Yang says. "But you can always be the bridge that connects people."