Hi there! Here is a bit of my personal journey :)

I was born and raised in a small city in China. I enjoyed reading books since I was a small kid, and have always been curious about the outside world, fascinated by different cultures, languages, and people.

After 12 tough years of studying in China's highly competietive education system, I finally had the chance to pursue what truly interested me at university. I studied International Affairs alongside Portuguese, which opened up an incredible opportunity to study in Brazil --a country on the other side of the world, distant, different, and intriguing. That experience marked the beginning of my ongoing journey of global exploration. 

I enjoyed my life in Brazil so much that I decided to go back after completing my degree in China, continuing to explore the country throughout my Master's and part of my PhD. During that time, I also travelled across Latin America, visiting countries such as Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Mexico. Beyond sightseeing and tasting local cuisines, what excites me most is engaging with local people. My fluency in Portuguese and Spanish has allowed me to connect more deeply and authentically with communities. Through these conversations, I’ve gained insights into how people in the region think, what they value, and where they disagree on issues like corruption, elections, inequality, and LGBTQ+ rights. These experiences sparked my passion for public opinion research, where I enjoy being both a curious observer and a patient listener. 

In addition to my academic journey, I’ve taken on various roles as part of the exploration:

• Part-time blog writter (in Mandarin) about Latin American culture and society for an educational and consulting institute (1 year); 

• Mandarin-Portuguese interpreter at business and government events (3 years)

• Mandarin-Portuguese subtitle translator for TV series (1 year)

• Mandarin teacher for Brazilian students (6 years)

In 2022, I left Brazil to pursue a joint-degree in the UK, starting a new chapter in a completely different cultural setting. My research has since expanded to a more global perspective, with a greater emphasis on generalisability of my findings (Still, I plan to incoporate regional focuses in my future research). By navigating the European academic system, I’ve tried to push myself beyond the comfort zone and developed a more comparative and inclusive mindset.

As I wrap up my PhD journey, I am still exploring new possibilities in my life. The uncertainty involved  is terrifying sometimes, but I choose to see it as an exciting opportunity to, once again, step outside mt comfort zone and continue my exploration as a global citizen. If you are interested in my work or simply want to have a chat, feel free to reach out! :)