What has attracted an expat to settle in Guangdong for almost 20 years? What can an expat do to be involved in local communities? How do they find happiness here?
On the evening of January 12, seven expats from the Philippines, Belgium, Switzerland, the UK, Mexico, the US, and Brazil participated in a Pecha Kucha event themed on "Living in Guangdong", held by GDToday at Guangzhou International Finance Centre. Through their Pecha Kucha presentations (20 images, 20 seconds each), the participants shared their stories with Guangdong, concerning traveling, living, studying, working, culture, and friendship.
1# David Butler (British)
David Butler is from England and has lived in China since 2005. He is the Director of Frank Butler Consultants (FBC Training), which provides innovative corporate training throughout greater China. He is also the General Manager of the Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Club. His previous positions include director of a training centre in Beijing, program manager at China Southern Airlines in Guangzhou, and head of teacher training at an Australian university. David has successfully taught presentation skills to thousands of managers at HSBC, China Southern Airlines, Intertek, CapitaLand, Swire Pacific, Montegut, and other multinational corporations. He also teaches and assesses teacher training programs and is a Cambridge Conference keynote speaker.
Topic: The Stories of Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Club
2# George Irineu (Brazilian)
34 years old / Businessman / International model, over 50 commercials during his career / Pro horse rider / Like to exercise and keep fit.
Topic: Choice We Made
3# Alexandra O Solís (Mexican)
Alexandra is a Mexican architect with a strong appreciation for the importance of quality spaces in everyday life. Nearly 20 years ago, she moved to Guangzhou, China with her husband and two daughters in 2005. Throughout this period, Alexandra learned to speak Mandarin at a conversational level. She was driven by her curiosity to better understand and integrate with Chinese culture. Consequently, she became engaged in the local and international artistic and cultural activities, particularly in Guangdong, aimed at sharing her perspectives and finding common ground with local artists. Eager to discover more about China, she and her husband began to travel around the country to appreciate its history, architecture, tradition and culinary treasures.
Topic: My life in China and why have I been here for almost 20 years?
4# David Fank (Belgian)
He was born in the German-speaking part of Belgium. He studied fine arts at the Beaux-Arts de Paris and the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. After graduation, he used to live in Macao. He has worked at the Art Institute of the Orient in Shamian, Guangzhou, and now he teaches at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts.
Topic: From Guangzhou to Macao and back
5# Anna Szklanowska (Swiss/Polish)
Anna specialises in East Asian affairs. She got a Masters in Political Science from Sciences Po in Paris. She has worked as a policy researcher at the European Commission and the OECD. Anna moved to China in 2023, and is currently working at the Swiss Consulate in Guangzhou.
Topic: How I found my community in China
6# Carlos Rojas (US/Colombian)
Born in Miami to Colombian parents, Carlos has been in and out of China for the last 5 years and continues his career in Guangzhou. As a lover of Chinese food, tourism and culture, Carlos finds himself right where he wants to be!
Topic: From teacher to trader while exploring culture in China
7# Christian Saavedera (Filipino)
Christian has been in China for 10 years since 2013, 2 years in Shenzhen and 8 years in Guangzhou. He is Bachelor of Information Technology, the University of the Visayas, Cebu City, Philippines. He is a musician, singer and multi-instrumentalist musician. He teaches guitar and vocals. He has won multiple gold medals and awards in International chorale and singing competitions. Now, he is playing in different places like hotels, bars or restaurants in China.
Topic: I found true happiness as a musician
Reporter: Holly, Ariel, Fanny, Nancy, Qin Shaolong
Editor: Olivia, Nan, Monica, James
He Shangkui, Ou Jiahui, Will, Eastbrook, Lydia, and Alice also contributed to this article.
