From a small village in Henan province to the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, 25-year-old Tian Feifan's journey embodies the power of dreams transcending humble beginnings.
Tian Feifan poses for a photo in UN's meeting room.
“My first day at the UN Office in Geneva was a mix of nervousness and excitement,” recalls Feifan, her eyes gleaming as she describes walking into the Palace of Nations. Growing up in a farming family in Kaifeng, she never imagined she would one day step onto the world stage.
Her journey from a rural schoolgirl to a graduate student at China's first modern university--Tianjin University, and now a UN intern, proves that dreams know no boundaries. Despite her agricultural background, Feifan's parents prioritized education, supporting her through her computer science degree at Tiangong University and her master’s at Tianjin University’s Medical School.
The turning point came in September 2023 when she read an article about a fellow alumnus who had made it to the UN. “It was the first time I realized working for international organizations wasn't as unreachable as I thought,” she says.
On Tianjin University's Weijin Road campus
After five months of rigorous preparation, including language enhancement and interviews, Feifan received her acceptance letter from the UN Geneva Office in March 2024. Now working in conference management, she handles web development projects, drawing on her undergraduate computer science background.
In the Gran Canaria, Spain
In front of the Milan Cathedral
The experience has been transformative. Working in Geneva's French-speaking region, she enrolled in UN-provided French classes to better integrate with her team. “The UN is like a global village,” she reflects. “Cross-cultural communication is crucial here.”
During her free time, Feifan explores European countries, each journey adding to her worldview. From the Louvre's treasures to Dutch windmills, from Milan's cathedral to the Canary Islands' beaches, these experiences have broadened her perspective while strengthening her connection to her roots.
“I want to encourage more young people to explore the world,” she says. “International organizations like the UN need more Chinese voices. Don’t let your background, age, or language skills limit you. With preparation, opportunities will come.”
As her internship continues, Feifan represents not just herself but her country and generation. Her story proves that ordinary individuals can achieve extraordinary dreams through determination and preparation. “The world is vast,” she often says, “and full of possibilities waiting to be discovered.”
By Eva Yin
