What makes a place feel like home?
For Mark McCallum, a Canadian educator who has lived overseas for decades, the answer has evolved over time. Today, he calls Dongguan, in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), his home.
As Head of School at the International School of Dongguan, McCallum leads a life blending global influences with Chinese cultural elements. His house is a true reflection of this journey. A Balinese gong, antique Chinese doors, paintings inspired by his experiences, and lingering incense—all tell the story of a man who has traveled widely and found a sense of belonging in China.
One of the first things visitors notice is the aroma of incense. McCallum adopted this habit after settling in Dongguan. Lighting incense has become part of his daily ritual, helping him stay relaxed and serene. Each morning, he also strikes a gong that has traveled with him around the world to greet a brand-new day.
His connection with China dates back long before he moved here. In 2018, McCallum completed one of his greatest challenges: a half marathon along the Great Wall. The 21-kilometer race took him six hours and twenty minutes to finish. "It permanently put China in my heart," he recalls.
Several years later, an opportunity led him to the Greater Bay Area. Having worked for more than two decades in Singapore, he joined an innovative education program in Shenzhen that combines China's national curriculum with Western teaching approaches. He then moved to Dongguan, where he continues to advance educational innovation to this day.
McCallum believes the Greater Bay Area's openness and international outlook make it an ideal place for such experiments. He sees the region as a model for future educational development and a hub that connects different cultures and ideas.
His passion for Chinese culture extends beyond education. His Chinese name, "Meng Huaijin", carries special meaning. Instead of using a straightforward phonetic translation, he chose a name inspired by the philosophies of ancient sage Mencius and modern scholar Nan Huaijin. The name embodies values that resonate deeply with his own beliefs.
Although he lives thousands of kilometers away from Canada, family remains an important part of his life. Photos of his children can be found throughout his home, and he stays in close contact with them through daily conversations and shared photos. His daughter visits China regularly, and he hopes both of his children may build their own connections with China someday.
Having spent much of his life moving between countries, McCallum has developed a unique perspective on what home means. Many people associate home with a specific place, a culture, or familiar surroundings. For him, however, home lies within. "I've long since stopped worrying that I don't have a home," he says. "Because I am home," he adds, placing a hand on his chest. "My home is here."
Today, as he continues his life and work in the Greater Bay Area, McCallum describes the region as an interconnected economic powerhouse, where major cities are linked by convenient transportation, innovation, and opportunities.
For this globally renowned educator, the journey to China was far more than a career choice. It was a discovery of a place where different parts of his identity could come together and where he could finally redefine the true meaning of home.
Reporter | Li Fangwang
Video | Li Fangwang, Ou Xiaoming
Poster | Lai Meiya
Coordinator | Hu Nan
Special Guest | Mark McCallum
