Growing up on a modest family farm in regional China, a shy child named Xin Yang (Ritchie) lived with his parents, three older sisters, a flock of chickens and not one clue his life was going to change.

Raised in a humble hands-on and fundamentally analogue environment, Ritchie’s existence could not have been further from the dynamic urban buzz of Sydney, and the rapidly transformational world of artificial intelligence. Yet in April 2026, we celebrated his graduation at Macquarie University – and it all started with a spur-of-a-moment decision.

The robotics club

“A teacher at my high school asked my best friend (who was good at physics) if they wanted to join a new robotics club. My friend said no, so I asked, can I come?” explained Ritchie. “I wasn’t sure why – robotics wasn’t part of my world at all back then – I just thought, why not?”

From then on, he was hooked. “My best friend did end up joining too. We studied and learned robotics; we would stay late at night after class to build. They would lock the school at 10pm, but we would be there until after midnight. We had to climb a wall to get out,” he laughs.

The new club not only kickstarted Ritchie’s passion for AI, it also was to be his first ticket overseas when his team competed in an international robotics competition. His team ultimately placed second (a remarkable achievement for a regional team with no blueprints), but to one generous spectator Ritchie was the standout winner.

The speech

While competing in an international competition was no small feat, to Ritchie the most daunting part of the event was the speech.

“My team needed someone to deliver a speech representing the project, so I volunteered,” Ritchie said. “I was terrified of speaking on stage. My Chinese is not perfect, let alone my English. But my coach, he encouraged me, told me it’s not just about the game but also presentation.”

Despite trembling throughout, Ritchie’s speech was the second act of bravery that officially transformed his whole life trajectory. For among the audience of robotics enthusiasts was one benefactor who recognised a quiet brilliance in him and decided to help him reach his potential.

The next thing he knew, Ritchie was offered a full scholarship to study abroad at Macquarie University. He only needed the courage to accept.

“When my teacher told me, at the time I was not sure I could really accept because my grades were not good, I spent much more time on robotics than on my school studies,” he said. “But studying abroad is my dream, it will help me and my family so much. So I accept or I wouldn’t get another chance.”

Taking the leap

Thanks to this scholarship, Macquarie became Ritchie’s new home for the past four years, studying advanced robotics and artificial intelligence – careers that the quiet little boy on the farm would never have thought possible.

“I am so confused – even now – because my heart is always thinking, is this real?”

He also learned fast that the dream life he set out for needed more than just financial support but tenacity, resilience and a good community. The life of an international student can be heavy and the cultural transition and language barriers hit Ritchie hard.

“It was really hard, I had to change my major and even failed some units along the way, but I eventually moved into AI and it has been a much better fit for me,” he said.

From then on Ritchie thrived in his studies, and with the help of a great language coach, Ritchie went from speaking no English at all to conversing well with his classmates. “Or at least, I try,” he laughs.

Finding his support system in Sydney has also helped Ritchie to build his confidence. “After graduating, I had some support to find jobs and build professional connections. I told them, I really don’t think I deserve all this help, and they said we help because you deserve it,” he recounts.

The next chapter

While Ritchie’s story demonstrates the power of raising your hand at an opportunity, it also demonstrates the profound impact of a supportive community.

“Without this scholarship, there’d be no study abroad, no Macquarie. No robotics,” he reflects. “I also really thank my teachers, my coach and my teammates from high school. If not for their help, then maybe I wouldn’t be here.”

As Ritchie prepares to step beyond academia and into the professional AI world, he is determined to make the most of the opportunities given to him – and one day, give back.

“I hope to get a job in Sydney, to come back here, achieve my dreams, but also help my family,” he says. “I hope someday to also help someone like me, the kid who thinks they cannot make it, but really, they can.”