Salzburg Global Fellow Mia Yang reflects on her journey of belonging and self-discovery at the Salzburg Academy on Media and Global Change
This article was written by Salzburg Global Fellow Mia Yang, who attended the Salzburg Academy on Media and Global Change session on “Belonging in the Age of Machines: Reimagining the Soul of Media" in July 2024.
As I boarded the plane for my first solo trip to a distant country, I was keenly aware of leaving behind the densely populated skyscrapers and the fast-paced crowds of my home in Hong Kong. Everything felt surreal.
When I first learned about the Salzburg Academy on Media and Global Change, the theme resonated perfectly with my studies in communications and public policy, as well as my tech Public Relations internship. Yet, I was hesitant — shy and timid, with concerns about my English skills and the challenge of traveling alone to a foreign country. But there was another voice inside me urging, “YOLO,” and I decided to take the plunge. I haven’t regretted it.
Arrival
I arrived at Schloss Leopoldskron, where the Salzburg Academy on Media and Global Change took place. The extravagant historical site, set within serene surroundings, overlooks a lake that mirrors the distant snow-capped mountains. For the first time, I experienced a sky so wide and clear, free from the obstruction of skyscrapers, honking of cars, and the noise of crowded streets. It was here that students, professors, and professionals gathered to discuss how technology can be harnessed to make the world a better place.
Entering Fellows Hall in the Meierhof Building, I was struck as the diverse group of people — each from different ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds — gathered in a circle to introduce themselves. It was my first time encountering such diversity, and while I was eager to get to know everyone, I also felt a tinge of hesitation. But I soon learned to embrace the “new life rhythm” suggested by Professor Chris Harris — a rhythm that invites sociality, hospitality, loving discomfort, and the beauty of shared experiences.
Adaptation
Over the course of two weeks during the session, I was confronted with thought-provoking questions and engaged in activities that left me pondering long after they ended. A few key takeaways from this year’s Academy stood out:
- Technology mirrors human nature. As its designers, we must always act with good intentions.
- The art of presence is what sustains our connection to others in an increasingly tech-driven world.
- Only humans can write and create with a unique voice, incorporating their own emotions, experiences, and creativity.
On a personal note, the Living Library session was transformative. In Hong Kong, and much of Asia, topics like drug addiction, mental illness, and self-harm are sensitive, often kept private to avoid societal stigmatization. I was nervous, unsure how to handle the emotions of the “books” I would encounter.
But during those few hours, I practiced the new life rhythm — listening empathetically, without preconceptions, and without linking their experiences back to myself. The process was therapeutic. I witnessed the determination and courage of a recovering drug addict, the overlooked struggles of a prosecutor’s family, the importance of letting go when someone doesn’t reciprocate, and the slow, steady progress of living with disorders.
Though each story represented just a small piece of someone’s life, they all contributed to greater causes — rehabilitation, restorative justice, and personal growth. It was inspiring for me to listen to how people transform their shadows into light that now illuminates the paths of others.
Affection
As the program came to a close, I found myself with breakfast buddies, new book and movie recommendations, and the opportunity to share insights into the politics and media systems of my home country. Something inside me shifted — something inexplicable. Now, as I sit at my desk in Hong Kong, looking out at the small patch of sky, I know it’s much wider than it seems. I know that friends from all around the world are sharing this same piece of sky.
This article was featured on Medium, which includes more coverage from the Salzburg Academy on Media and Global Change session on “Belonging in the Age of Machines: Reimagining the Soul of Media.”
The Salzburg Academy on Media and Global Change is an annual program that convenes emerging leaders in media fields to build networks for positive change. If you would like to find out more about the Academy, please email , Faculty Chair and Program Director.
