Jacob Thoensen, a 21-year-old student of the University of Nevada, Reno, in the United States, made his very first visit to China this summer. Despite the long flight, he was excited, curious and full of wonder.

From the moment he arrived in Beijing, he felt like he had "stepped into a place where every corner tells a story, particularly through food", he says.

Every meal has been a new experience, from savory street food to carefully sliced Peking duck. He has gotten to know the city, where food isn't just about taste but also about connection, bringing people together across languages and cultures.

In addition to touring the city and visiting iconic places, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and Zhongshan Park, he made new friends through the 2025 China-US Young Maker Competition. The final event took place in the capital from Aug 2 to 3.

Along with his three team members, who are also students from the US, Thoensen worked on a project called Fursphere, an AI-powered pet management platform.