Almost three years ago, Jordan Shapiro, then a Stanford University student, knew the day the Schwarzman Scholars Program was announced that he would one day be applying to its first class.

The scholarship, established by Stephen Schwarzman, philanthropist and co-founder of the Blackstone Group, a New York investment firm, aims to develop global leaders with an understanding of China through a one-year master's degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing - one of China's most prestigious universities.

While studying in a Chinese summer language program at Peking University after his freshman year, Shapiro developed a passion for the language and culture. The announcement of the Schwarzman program in April 2013 came at an opportune moment just after he decided that he would one day return to China to fully immerse himself.

Early this year, his dream came true. The 22-year-old Shapiro became one of the 111 members of the inaugural class of Schwarzman Scholars selected from more than 3,000 applicants worldwide.

Starting in September, the scholars, from 71 universities in 32 countries, will pursue master's degrees in global affairs and participate in internships and intensive travel seminars.

"I am eager to learn with, contribute to, and define the first class of Schwarzman Scholars," said Shapiro, who called himself a "combiner".

"I am passionate about finding ideas and opportunities at the intersection of seemingly disparate studies," he said. "The Schwarzman Scholars Program is the perfect intersection of my interests in technology, entrepreneurial leadership and global cultures."

Shapiro, who earned a master's degree in management science and engineering in December 2015, also earned a bachelor's degree at Stanford. He graduated in June 2015 with a degree in bioengineering and a minor in modern languages (Spanish and Chinese). He plans to pursue a master's degree in global affairs with a concentration in economics and business at Tsinghua.

"As a Schwarzman Scholar, I hope to broaden my understanding of Chinese markets and business practices, equipping myself with essential tools to bring about global technologies that improve everyday lives," he said.

To James Rizzo, 22, another Schwarzman Scholar, the program will allow him to better understand China's role in global trends.

"I'm interested in the ways in which innovative technology and public policy intersect," said Rizzo, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science from University of California-Davis in June 2015. "I'm hoping I can gain a more sophisticated understanding of China's perspective, which I believe will be vital to understanding global trends in technology and public policy."

An associate now in an early career leadership program at software firm Intuit in Mountain View, California, Rizzo will work toward a degree with an emphasis on public policy at Tsinghua.

Cybersecurity, for example, is complex, contentious and touches upon technology, public policy and China, he said. "I'd like to have the ability to understand these sorts of issues from both the US and the China perspective.

"I think there is a problematic perception among many Americans that the US and China's strategic interests are completely incompatible, that we should confront China at every opportunity, and that any form of concession to China on anything is a sign of weakness," he said.

"It's not the case with everything, such as China's role in the fight against Ebola. I don't think China's every move should be countered with suspicion and hostility. I'm in favor of a more nuanced approach, and I'm hoping that my time in China will help me develop a finer understanding of what that approach should be," said Rizzo.

liazhu@chinadailyusa.com