More joy and understanding.
We believe in the transformative power of intentionally designed conversations and experiences that build bridges and foster deeper understanding.
Our goal is to unite people around shared values and interests—such as culture, cuisine, history—creating a rich, resilient global community of adventurous optimists.
Xiaokun Song
Sourcians founder
Kun is a lifelong student of Humanism, deeply believing in the power of the Humanities to unite people, celebrate our shared history, and foster cultural understanding. Through this philosophy, she aims to inspire a broader appreciation of art, culture, and human connection.
She holds an M.A. degree in Western Art History and a Ph.D. degree in Chinese Studies.
Meet Kun
Kun grew up in Beijing, China, with a father who was a pilot. Every time he returned from his travels, he would bring her little treasures from around the world. In the 1980s, it was rare for a young Chinese girl to be exposed to foreign cultures, and these small surprises sparked a lifelong curiosity and a deep interest in the world beyond her own.
At 21, Kun moved to Germany to study Western Art History, where she lived for over a decade. During this time, she developed a growing fascination with her own culture, China—realizing she didn’t understand it as deeply as she had assumed. This prompted her to pursue a Ph.D. in Chinese Studies, where she discovered how both East and West often held limited, stereotypical perceptions of each other. With her unique perspective, shaped by years of studying both cultures, Kun saw an opportunity to bridge the gap.
Today, Kun is back in China, where she is a proud mother of two boys. Through her work with Sourcians, she continues to create meaningful moments and foster cross-cultural understanding.
“From home-cooked meals with locals, to behind-the-scenes experiences in museums and teahouses, my friends and I left China in awe.”
— Dominic after his Sourcians tour through Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu & Chongqing.
Get to know us even more
Origin Story
“The idea for Sourcians came about from an offhand remark made by one of my favorite professors on the very first day of my freshman Classical Archaeology class. He walked into the lecture hall and said, ‘Most of you won’t get a job in Classical Archaeology, but welcome to the class anyway.’ He was right. Nearly a decade later, on the same day I received my Ph.D. title, I also found myself officially unemployed—along with many of my classmates.
Unfortunately, my story isn't unique. It's a reality shared by countless scholars across the Humanities. I know many dedicated researchers who produce incredible work but struggle to find stable, long-term positions. Many of them end up as visiting fellows, moving from one temporary appointment to the next, often uprooting their families and hauling their research wherever they go. Instead of focusing on advancing their work and sharing their knowledge, they spend years writing application after application, hoping for the rare permanent role.
This experience led me to believe there must be other ways for scholars to share their expertise with the world, outside the traditional academic path. That's when the idea for Sourcians was born.
At Sourcians, we’re driven by two core goals:
To create meaningful, alternative opportunities for scholars to contribute their knowledge and skills to society.
To offer the general public new, engaging ways to see the world—through the lens of well-researched, niche subjects that inspire critical thinking and intercultural understanding.
We curate and host courses and immersive trips designed to challenge conventional perspectives and offer deep dives into fascinating topics. Our work is rooted in the belief that by broadening our perspectives, we can not only grow as individuals but also make a positive impact on the world.”