In late August 2010, I stepped off a United Airlines flight at Shanghai Pudong Airport knowing little about China, its distinct history or culture — let alone could I speak a single word of Mandarin Chinese. 

Nine years later, I passed the highest level exam of Chinese literacy and fluency in less than three years, the HSK 6, obtained a master of laws in international relations (in Chinese) from Fudan University, and helped U.S. firms engage in the country and around the region.

In my spare time, I write about China-centric issues, analyze shifts in the country’s domestic policy landscape, translate articles, and snap photographs with my Nikon D7000. I currently reside in Washington, D.C., so feel free to reach out if you happen to be in the nation’s capital.