"There was always someone who would listen, no matter what it was."

"If you just have an abstract idea, it's very difficult to know what path to take with it."

Growing up in a cross-cultural family, Serena was always curious about how culture shapes worldviews and why people understand politics and society so differently. She became fascinated with history. Learning about Nasser's Egypt, Castro's Cuba and Soviet Russia, gave her a way to explore those questions.

Her history teacher taught her to write essays and think critically. Her higher education counsellor introduced her to international relations and the London School of Economics (LSE). When she graduated in 2021, that was where she went.

"Before that, I didn't even know political science and international relations were two different things," she said.

"The reason I went to Ghana was basically out of a very casual conversation I decided to have with my professor."

Serena's interest in China-Africa relations began at about 15, when her mother introduced her to the China Africa Project (now the China Global South Project). "To be honest, I couldn't really understand the articles at the time, "she said. "But it really sparked my interest."

At LSE, she continued exploring the subject. Her undergraduate dissertation examined Chinese foreign policy towards Sudan by analysing official Chinese statements on the Darfur conflict between 2004 and 2023. It was later published in the LSE Grimshaw Review.

Encouraged to see examine these issues firsthand, Serena began looking for opportunities beyond the classroom. A conversation with one of her professors eventually led her to Ghana. What stayed with her was not simply the opportunity itself, but how naturally she felt able to seek guidance and ask questions.

After graduating in 2024, Serena chose to spend a year in Ghana before beginning postgraduate study. There, she took part in election observation, interned at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development and led research into why neighbouring West African countries had followed different political paths.

"China-Africa still, even though it's developing very quickly as a discipline, it's still quite under-researched."

In Ghana, Serena spent weekends travelling an hour to a nearby port city to interview Chinese people who had settled there. "Many haven't been home in three years and can't see their children, "she said, "Chinese migrants found ways to recreate home abroad, from sharing meals around revolving tables to making dumplings for Chinese New Year."

Today, she is studying for a master's degree at Georgetown University, focusing on China-Global South relations. 

For the past year, she has also worked as a research associate at Afrobarometer, a pan-African survey network, where she co-authored African Perspectives on the Global Power Scramble for Africa with CEO Joe Asunka. Her research explores how people across Africa view China's economic engagement. "I want to understand what shapes people's views: how visible these economic activities are, the impact they have and how people compare China with other countries," she said.

"Wellington gave me an open mind and the confidence to consider all these possibilities. Without those seven years, I wouldn't be who I am today."

The girl who once needed a teacher to listen is now a woman who makes sure others are heard. From election monitoring in Ghana to research on China-Africa relations, Serena has started building a career around understanding people and the world around them. Her next chapter is still unfolding. But her journey already shows what happens when we nurture curiosity, foster understanding and encourage young people to act in the world with purpose.