About Me

I’m Jess, Zhuhai’s new Cultural Events Management and Marketing intern. Given by my teacher, my Chinese name “má là” (麻辣, spicy) replicates the sound of my surname (but is also in part due to my hair’s reaction to humidity reminding her of a particular spice girl). Although just beginning to learn Mandarin, I recently graduated from MSoA and moved to China two weeks ago.

Background

Film and photography are my passion, but I also have experience in project management of my own non-for profit social enterprise LightUp Collective. The allure of travel, language and culture drew me away from my UK projects to this internship in China. In hand with a fast growing economy, the country is investing record amounts in the cultural sector. Through organizing events and excursions, my role ensures that our interns are enriched in Chinese culture. My camera, captures them doing so.

Experience of Interning in Zhuhai

Leaving for China can be daunting. On the last leg of my 22 hour journey, stressed and agitated I trudged off the plane. Although most excited for the prospect of my bed, as I stepped off the aircraft into Guangzhou, the realization that I had an opportunity to work in paradise (or near enough) hit me as quickly as the wave tropical heat.

Two weeks into my time in Zhuhai and my mornings consist of a commute lined with palm trees, my days spent working hard affront a view of Macau glistening on the horizon. China, Zhuhai especially, is not what you expect, it’s more.