Our expat community thrives on connection, and here at Jingkids, we’re all about our readers, what they need and want in order to maximize their time here in Beijing. Every Monday, we’re going to feature a prominent member of our expat community and get to know them a little bit better.
My name is Nirvana Sun. I was born and raised in Nanjing and moved to Hong Kong where my husband is from shortly after I got married. We have two adult children, Grace, 22, and Marc, 21.
I have been blessed with wonderful opportunities to work in the field of education. In 2004, upon my return from completing my study in Australia, I joined the founding team of 3e International School in Beijing where I spent the following 14 years as its director of operations. In 2019, I joined a former colleague to found Auesome Place, a private non-profit academy in Beijing for children with learning support needs.
What’s on your mind?
Outside of work, my kids are always on my mind – their health, education, and future career. Grace is finishing college this year and Marc is studying to become an actor. There is an old Chinese saying: “Even at the age of 100, a mother would always worry about her 80-year-old kid.”
What’s your motivation to get moving?
I love the line in Forrest Gump the movie, which says: “Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re going to get!” It helps me to stay positive amidst certain uncertainties in life.
My family is my motivation. I am very blessed with a healthy and loving family. We are very close. In addition, we have two very cute Yorkshire Terriers to come home to at the end of a long day at work.
Sun’s son Marc acting in a major Chinese movie
How do you stay sane in all the madness?
As a family, we love gyming. My husband and I – sometimes with our adult children as well – would go to the gym on average four times a week. We would take advantage of the drive to and from the gym, which takes about an hour, to chat about what’s on our mind or just joke around, which is hard to do at home as everyone is always on their computers or cell phones.
What’s your favorite thing about Beijing?
From when we first moved here 20 years ago, Beijing has become a very vibrant, diverse international city. If I were to say my most favorite thing about the city, I have to say that it is the people. I have friends who are old Beijingers, and people who are like myself who moved here from other provinces and countries.
Have someone you believe deserves some recognition for their outstanding contributions to our community? Nominate them for our weekly spotlight by writing their name in the comments below!
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Images: Courtesy of Nirvana Sun
