Mark Buckle

I was born in the South Island of New Zealand and lived more than 40 years in 3 different cities there.

Although my wife spent most of her adult life in New Zealand, she was born in a small Island Kingdom in the South Pacific Ocean called Tonga. Her people have their own language, history and rich culture quite different to my own European background. Interestingly, DNA and ancient artifacts, connect her people with people from Taiwan and Guangdong .

In 2012 my wife and I left all that was familiar and close, to come to work and live China.

I first came to China in 1991 as a tourist visiting Guangzhou and Beijing, then subsequently returned several times after that with my wife and visited about 20 Chinese cities.

After arriving to stay in 2012, we first lived for 9 months in Zhejiang’s Ningbo city before coming to Chongqing. I was working for a large international education company as an Education Manager. Within this time I also had the opportunity to work in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu for training or to support other branches. It was a rich as well as challenging experience which gave me a new understanding for Chinese culture.

From this new understanding, I decided that no matter what the future held, if I was to remain in China long term, then a greater grasp of Mandarin was essential. Therefore, from this new springboard, I quit my job and enrolled at SISU as a full time Chinese Major. I will soon complete my degree and I am looking forward to what for me will be the 4th chapter of my China life. Whatever that may entail, I know for sure it will be a new adventure of learning and adapting in this vast and vibrant country.