Sharon Adesola-David

About Sharon Adesola-David

I studied; English Literature, Philosophy and Textiles and I was really interested in integrating my creative avenues with my theoretical passions. I really liked literature at school, and I got an A* in it – I loved it! Philosophy provoked my thinking in considering other people’s perspectives. I learnt a lot regarding critical thinking as I used to see the world in a one-dimensional way, and I think philosophy forces you to open up your perspectives and view it in a more 360 way. And I’ve always loved fashion – and could sew before but wanted to learn more about sewing with machines, learn how to make garments, and I used to want to be a fashion editor too, so it just made sense to do writing and Textiles together! So that’s why I chose those subjects.

Looking back, what’s been the most valuable part of your experience at CTK?

The community! I’d say CTK never really let you go, and it’s a testament to Christian values embodied in CTK. I’m a Christian too and that support that I had at CTK never really left – even the years after, for example Mr. Bolton has always kept in contact with me and supported me with whatever I needed – so that community aspect has meant a lot to me throughout the years and is a really big thing that I look back on and I’m really grateful for. The community you make at CTK literally stays with you forever.
I was part of the Chaplaincy committee – the lead in helping maintain the chaplaincy, making initiatives in supporting people to engage with Christ and with school and attending Mass services.

Is there a particular skill or lesson you learned here that you’ll carry with you?

I think the idea of utilitarianism. So that’s the theory of sacrificing oneself for the greater good of others. I think as I explore work more in governmental politics, I realise that decisions are made to affect different people in different ways. And one thing CTK taught me was understanding other people’s perspectives, their experiences, how that shapes thinking and how you can try and do your best for everyone when you take that into consideration.

How did you choose the university or program you’re attending?

I’m currently studying for a BA in Culture, Media and Creative Industries with Chinese at King’s College London. I chose this degree because, after my gap year—where I interned at magazines and gained early experience in PR and advertising—I realised I wanted to pursue a creative path, particularly in fashion and media. I’d also been involved in my school newspaper at CTK, which sparked my interest in storytelling and communication. What drew me to this specific course was the opportunity to explore how creativity and media translate across cultures, especially in China. During my gap year, I was exposed to different types of advertising approaches, and I became fascinated by how campaigns are adapted for Chinese audiences. That made me realise I wanted to understand both the creative and cultural dynamics of working in the Chinese market, and this degree felt like the perfect intersection of all those interests.
King’s College was a dream for my mom, and my brother – my brother wanted to go there and didn’t get in unfortunately, so going – it felt like full circle, like I can make everyone really proud. And I love King’s College – I’ll forever be a lion! The community there and the international exposure has really opened up my horizons to things I never would have dreamed of. I wouldn’t have been where I am now to say that I’m able to live and work in Shanghai.

Have you always been good at learning different languages? What inspired you to pursue your Masters in China?

I’m a strong intermediate to advance in Mandarin. In secondary school I studied Spanish and I loved it – I always loved languages, and I kind of missed it after school. So, when I went to go on to do Chinese it really felt like full circle.
Learning Chinese is a real labour of love! It’s so difference to other languages that exist. It’s unlike Spanish or Italian which all derive from Latin. Where Chinese involves symbols and characters it was completely different, especially with tones and dictations. So, it was all about immersion for me. I used to watch Peppa Pig in Chinese – it was so humbling! Because some platforms don’t have access to being in China, people won’t dub over it in Chinese. So I used to watch the Chinese equivalent of Friends – it was called Ode to Joy – something easy to follow along. And I used to spend an hour a day doing my Chinese characters and in 2024, I spent one hour a day for 363 days – without fail – learning Chinese. And I also had friends who’d be really strict with me, as I have a lot of Chinese friends, and if the tone was wrong, they’d say, ‘That’s not how you say it!’
Learning a language is all about immersion and really throwing yourself into it, especially when that language is so far from your normal English dialect. But I loved it! And I’m one for hard work. I feel prepared to get around Shanghai and be fully immersed in the culture. The foundations are laid so being able to get fully immersed in the culture and the language will be amazing, and I do think I’ll reach fluency by the end of the year.
In my first year in Shanghai, I’ll be working with Western brands to help expand their presence in the Chinese market—focusing on market entry strategy, logistics, and building brand visibility locally. Then in 2026, I’ll be moving to Beijing to pursue a Master’s in Global Affairs with Chinese at Tsinghua University, often referred to as the ‘Harvard of China.’ The program explores key themes like geopolitics, the global economy, and the mutual perception between China and the West. I’m particularly interested in understanding how these global dynamics influence business and culture—and how I can help strengthen cross-cultural relationships within my industry. I also see this as a chance to deepen my understanding of China and continue advancing my language skills.

How are you preparing for the cultural and academic differences?

One of the biggest lessons my brother taught me is: “Don’t attribute to malice what can be attributed to ignorance.”
As I prepare to move to China, a lot of people ask me if I’m scared to be a Black person there, especially since there aren’t many Black people in China. The truth is, I expect culture shock—it’s a completely different world from the West—but I don’t expect racism in the way we often think of it. I think most reactions will come from curiosity rather than hostility. I’m focused on what I’m going there to do, and I see it as an opportunity to grow, not a reason to be fearful. There will always be ups and downs, but I believe in picking yourself up, brushing yourself off, and pushing forward.
What makes the biggest difference is putting in the work to learn someone’s language—it builds connection. I’m well received by my Chinese friends; in fact, my best friend is Chinese. I always say to my mum: “You haven’t even met all the people in the world who will love you.” Who would’ve thought some of my closest friends would come from places I’d never even heard of before? Language breaks down barriers. It opens doors to people, perspectives, and opportunities you never imagined.
I’ve been lucky to be exposed to so many different ways of living, and it’s given me a deeper appreciation for life and the world around me. Coming from a single-parent household, attending a public school, and growing up in low socioeconomic conditions—it hasn’t been easy. But CTK supported me in key moments and gave me the foundation to dream bigger. I now see what’s possible when you combine hard work with meaningful relationships and an open mind.
Academically, I know there will be big differences too. I’ll be studying at Tsinghua, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in the world—people from all kinds of backgrounds with incredible drive and intellect. As a Black woman, I’ve always been aware that I often have to work twice as hard to get half as much. That mindset isn’t new to me; I carry it with me into everything I do.
So going into this next chapter, I know I’ll need to work even harder—not just to keep up, but to thrive. But I see that challenge as part of the journey. I’m ready to meet it head-on. I want to show that I belong in those rooms, in those conversations, and at that level—not just because of where I come from, but because of the work I put in and the value I bring.

Is there anything you wish you’d known when you first started planning this journey?

If I’d known how measurable inputs each day would compound into something great, I would have worked harder at things and persevered a lot more.
I think progress isn’t linear – one day it can look really up and another day it can look really down. So, I think taking each day as it comes and doing little actionable steps each day that compound over time is something I wish I’d known, because patience and perseverance go a long way.