My Story
My family: my whole world
With my closest friends
With my siblings in Australia
Roots in Hangzhou
While my story began in Los Angeles, California, in 2013, my heart and my home have long been rooted in Hangzhou, China. I grew up in a wonderfully diverse household: my father Werner is South African, my mother Rania is Chinese, my older sister Lisa was born in Hong Kong, and my younger brother Mike is American. With so many different cultural backgrounds under one roof, we needed a place that could embrace all of us and Hangzhou became exactly that.
Hangzhou is a city of striking contrasts that deeply influences how I see the world. It is famous for the serene, poetic beauty of West Lake, where weeping willows dip into the lake and ancient pagodas rise in the distance. Yet, just minutes away from the tranquil tea plantations of Longjing, Hangzhou is also a bustling hub of modern technology and innovation. Growing up here has taught me to appreciate the delicate balance between preserving history and embracing the future. I love spending weekends hiking the lush green hills surrounding the city or walking along the tree-lined streets that make this city feel like a giant garden.
For my family, Hangzhou is the unifier. It is where my parents built a life together, where my siblings and I have formed our closest friendships, and where our diverse heritage blends into the local culture. The warmth of the local community and the deep-rooted traditions of the region have given me a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Beyond its natural beauty, Hangzhou is an incredible gateway to the wider world. Thanks to its world-class high-speed rail network and international airport, it serves as the perfect base for exploration. From here, my family and I have traveled across China, ventured through the rest of Asia, and journeyed even further beyond. These travels have instilled in me a deep curiosity about different cultures and a profound appreciation for the vastness of the world I am just beginning to explore.
Friends Who Feel Like Family
Some of my closest friends are the same children I shared crayons with in kindergarten. Because I have attended Hangzhou International School since PreK, my friendships have had years to grow, from classroom peers to lifelong friends.
My friends come from all over the world, and our differences are what make our time together so rich: we share food, languages, festivals, and perspectives. Whether we are studying for a test, hiking the hills around West Lake, or laughing over snacks after school, I have learned that true friendship is built on showing up for each other, again and again.
The World Is My Classroom
Travel is how my family learns about the world together. From our home base in Hangzhou, with its high-speed trains and international airport, we have journeyed across China, through Asia, and to far beyond.
I've been fortunate enough to travel widely. From Australia and Switzerland to Italy, Malaysia, Hawaii, California, and the Philippines. Each place has taught me something no classroom could: how to navigate unfamiliar streets, taste foods I'd never heard of, dance to music in languages I don't speak, and find my way through conversations in broken phrases and hand gestures.
But the biggest lesson came not from the places themselves, but from the people I met along the way. Spending time with friends from Korea, Germany, Brazil, Japan, and everywhere in between, I discovered something that surprised me: even though we look different on the outside and grow up in different cultures, we're often the same on the inside. We all care about love and friendship, we all worry about fitting in, we all laugh at the same silly jokes. Our differences are small but our similarities are huge. That realization has shaped how I see the world and how I want to contribute to it.
Always in Motion
When I am not studying, I am usually outside and moving. One of my favorite rituals is cycling along the Qiantang River with my younger brother Mike — wind in our faces and the city skyline glinting in the distance.
Table tennis training and music practice fill my weeks with rhythm and discipline, but some of my happiest moments are the simple ones: a bike ride by the river, a family walk around West Lake, or a pickup game with friends. Staying active keeps my mind clear and my spirit light.
My hometown: Hangzhou, China
Cycling with my brother, Mike, along the Qiantang River
First Time on Snow: Les Elfes Ski Camp, Switzerland
December 2025 · Les Elfes Ski Camp, Switzerland
In December 2025, I did something I had never done before. I boarded a plane all by myself, flew over 9,000 kilometers to Switzerland, and spent two weeks at Les Elfes Ski Camp. All of this without my parents, without any adult I already knew, and without ever having stood on a pair of skis. I have always had a fear of heights, and the idea of strapping long boards to my feet and sliding down a mountain felt completely terrifying. But I wanted to prove to myself that I could face challenges and overcome it.
The first few days were humbling. I fell more times than I can count, my legs ached in places I didn't know existed, and every time I looked down the slope my stomach took a turn. But I kept showing up. I listened carefully to my coach, watched the more advanced skiers, and practiced until the movements started to feel less like survival and more like flying. Amazingly, the end of the week, I had progressed from a total beginner to a Level 2.5 skier. More importantly, I had learned that fear doesn't disappear; you just get better at managing it.
Beyond the skiing, the camp gave me something I'll carry for the rest of my life: the confidence that I can drop myself into a completely unfamiliar place, a different country, a different language, a different group of people and still find my way. I met students from all over the world, shared meals in a language that wasn't always my own, and learned that asking for help is just as important as being brave. As a bonus I learnt that skiing is actually a whole lot of fun and I can't wait to get back on a snowy mountain again.
Looking Ahead
Though I was born in Los Angeles, California, and hold American citizenship, I spent almost my entire life growing up outside the United States. Living in China, traveling the world, and attending an international school have given me a global perspective that I am deeply grateful for. But as I look toward the future, I feel a strong pull to return to my American roots, to live, study, and eventually contribute to the country that is, on paper and in my heart, my home.
My dream is to become a lawyer or work in public service. Growing up between cultures has shown me how much the world needs people who can bridge divides and who understand different perspectives, speak more than one language, and care deeply about justice and fairness. I want to use my voice and my education to advocate for people who don't always have someone in their corner, whether that means working in civil rights, immigration law, or community advocacy.
Attending a U.S. boarding school for Grade 9 is the first step on this journey. I am looking for a school that will challenge me academically, push me to grow as a person, and surround me with curious, kind, and driven peers. From there, I hope to attend a top university in the United States where I can study law, political science, or public policy and build the foundation I need to make a real difference. I know the road is long, but I also know that every big journey starts with one brave step. This is mine.
Looking forward to what's next
"Today is the first day of the rest of my life."