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In this captivating episode of Wayfinders, we explore the remarkable journey of Chormui Lee, whose quest for creative fulfillment has taken her from Singapore to the Renaissance city of Florence, with stops in China, the Philippines, and the Netherlands along the way.

Chormui's adventure begins with a pivotal semester abroad in Maastricht, Netherlands, where she first encountered a radically different approach to education. The experience of problem-based learning and open discussion challenged her educational background and sparked a lifelong appetite for exploration. As she puts it, "I learned a lot from that six months... and I've never turned back."

Her professional journey started in Singapore with roles at major companies like Singapore Airlines, HP, and Philips. But it was China that would shape the next chapter of her life. Through a government traineeship program, Chormui found herself managing procurement at a Philips TV factory in Suzhou, witnessing firsthand the fascinating collision of Western and Chinese business cultures. Her initial two-year stay evolved into seven years across Suzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing, where she developed expertise in market research and gained deep insights into China's rapid transformation.

A pivot took her to the United Kingdom for public policy studies, followed by a strategic role in advertising and a position with the Asian Development Bank in Manila. But it was her bold decision to pursue a second career in design that is most interesting. This led her to Florence, Italy, where she immersed herself in the birthplace of Renaissance art and design.

In Florence, Chormui discovered a profound connection to the city's artistic heritage, particularly through the work and philosophy of Leonardo da Vinci. His approach to creativity – viewing every piece as a work in progress and constantly seeking improvement – deeply resonated with her own journey. Walking the same streets where Renaissance masters once worked, she found herself surrounded by centuries of artistic innovation and cultural history.

Chormui's story is particularly inspiring for anyone contemplating a creative career transition or considering study abroad. Her experience demonstrates that it's never too late to pursue one's passion, and that sometimes the most enriching path is the one that leads us far from our original plans. As she advises others contemplating similar moves: "You just have to start somewhere. You just have to take the first step."

This episode of Wayfinders reminds us that the journey of personal and creative discovery is ongoing, and that each new destination can open unexpected doors to growth and fulfillment. Through Chormui's eyes, we see how the courage to embrace change and follow our creative instincts can lead to a life rich in experience and meaning.

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Thank you for listening to this episode of Wayfinders! If you find Chormui's story inspiring, please share it with others who might be contemplating their own creative transitions or international adventures.

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In this fascinating episode of Wayfinders, we delve into the remarkable 30-year journey of Jason Spencer in Greater China. From his early exposure to Asian culture during his father's Air Force posting in Singapore and Malaysia in the late 1970s, to becoming deeply embedded in Shanghai's business and cultural landscape, Jason's story exemplifies how early cultural experiences can shape a lifetime of international adventure.

Jason's journey began with studying Chinese at the University of Queensland, leading to a transformative exchange year at Shanghai's Fudan University in 1993. It was here that he met his future wife, Stacey, setting the stage for a deep personal connection to China that would span decades. His academic pursuit of Chinese language and culture included translating previously untranslated Chinese literature, showing his early commitment to bridging cultural understanding.

What makes Jason's story particularly compelling is his perspective on being in China during what he calls its "golden age" from the late 1990s to early 2010s. As he shares in the episode: "Golden ages, you don't often recognize them when you're in it. Unfortunately, you need the distance of time to be able to take a look back over your shoulder and see it."

Key highlights from Jason's journey include:

• The impact of childhood exposure to Asian culture through his family's time in Singapore
• His academic journey from Chinese language studies to becoming a cultural bridge
• Living through and witnessing China's dramatic economic and social transformation
• The challenges and rewards of maintaining a family life split between Shanghai and Brisbane
• The evolution from being a cultural outsider to finding a unique identity in the "liminal space" between cultures
• Jason offers valuable insights into maintaining curiosity and engagement with a culture over decades, including his current approach to staying connected with his family while working in Shanghai. His story is particularly relevant for those considering long-term international careers or facing the challenges of maintaining family relationships across borders.

This episode of Wayfinders reminds us that sometimes the most enriching journeys aren't just about where we go, but about maintaining our curiosity and interest in the cultures we encounter along the way. As Jason puts it, it's not about being interesting, but about staying interested.

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In this captivating episode of Wayfinders, we embark on a linguistic and cultural odyssey with Genevieve Hilton, whose life story spans continents. From her early days in Pennsylvania to her current home in Hong Kong, Genevieve's journey is a testament to the transformative power of embracing new cultures and languages.

Genevieve's adventure begins with her family's influence, where dinner table conversations about international experiences sparked her curiosity about the world. This curiosity led her to major in linguistics with a minor in Slavic languages in college, setting the stage for her global adventures. Reflecting on her family's impact, Genevieve shares a poignant memory:

"My father and I watched a made-for-TV movie about a guy who was illiterate as an adult... He had a sudden realization of what it would be like to be an adult not able to read, the first time we went to Japan and looked at all the signs and couldn't make out a single word."

Her first taste of international living came through her work with Let's Go travel guides, taking her to Poland, Slovakia, Albania, and Ukraine. Genevieve's adventurous spirit is perfectly encapsulated in her own words:

"The day after I graduated from college, I got on a plane to Albania."

This bold move set the tone for a life filled with cross-cultural experiences and linguistic challenges.

A planned nine-month stay in Vietnam turned into a five-and-a-half-year adventure, where Genevieve launched her career in public relations. Her experiences in Vietnam, from learning the language to building a PR business from scratch, showcase her adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit.

What was intended to be a two-year stay in Hong Kong has now stretched to nearly 24 years, demonstrating how expat life can take unexpected turns. Genevieve offers valuable insights into the evolution of Hong Kong as an international business hub and the factors that have kept her family rooted there for so long.

Genevieve also shares her experiences of raising children in Hong Kong, balancing local education with maintaining their American heritage. Her family's story offers a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of raising multilingual children in a multicultural environment.

Key takeaways from Genevieve's journey include:

• The power of childhood exposure: How dinner table conversations about international experiences shaped Genevieve's future path
• From Let's Go to PR pro: Leveraging travel writing experiences to build a career in international public relations
• The "two-year plan" that became 24: How Hong Kong's professional opportunities and family considerations led to long-term expatriation
• Navigating cultural integration: Balancing an American household with local Cantonese education for raising multilingual children
• The evolving expat experience: Witnessing Hong Kong's transformation from a colonial outpost to a key Chinese city

Genevieve's story is a rich tapestry of cultural experiences, professional growth, and personal discoveries. Her journey from a curious college graduate to a seasoned PR professional and long-term expat in Hong Kong offers valuable insights for anyone considering a life abroad.

This episode of Wayfinders reminds us that sometimes the most rewarding paths in life are those that lead us far from our original plans, opening doors to unexpected opportunities and lifelong adventures.

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Thank you for listening to this episode of Wayfinders! If you find Genevieve's story inspiring, please share it with others who might be contemplating their own big moves.