Mom, Vanessa Mackensen, and Dad, Michael Hofmann, have been together for 17 years. The couple met at work and have since lived in Italy and the US, before eventually landing in Beijing. Now, the couple calls China’s capital home along with their two children, Noah and Nayla who are currently students at British School of Beijing, Shunyi. The Hofmann family loves hiking, skiing, playing tennis, exercising, and movie nights together.
Michael
In my department, we have a very diverse group of people from many different countries. Here it is absolutely necessary to show respect to different cultures and working styles.
Vanessa
In Germany, I gave private lessons to four kids from a Syrian refugee family and helped them with the paperwork as a voluntary service.
Noah (age 13)
I play soccer and playing soccer means teamwork, collaboration, helping each other, and integrating new players into the team no matter which nationality or background.
Nayla (age 10)
I am very happy to have the chance to live in China, to meet many people from different countries, and that we had such a warm welcome as foreigners.
This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 September-October issue
