Meet the Founders
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We’re a Team
We are a team of educators, program designers, and parents with deep roots in both China and Australia.
Australian-born Chinese with young families of our own, we draw on lived experience across cultures, having grown up in Sydney and spent over a decade immersed in life and work in China. With more than 20 years of combined expertise in early childhood education, bilingual learning, and international academic programs, we’ve created Mandarin Mates to bridge worlds in a way that’s joyful, meaningful, and family-led.
Our team has successfully operated childcare centres and designed play-based programs that blend academic foundations with creativity, cultural insight, and immersive language learning. We believe learning should spark curiosity, grow confidence, and build connections across generations.
Mandarin Mates is more than a camp, it’s a cultural journey, a shared experience, and a celebration of who we are and where we come from.
Our team brings a unique blend of academic rigour, international experience, and early childhood expertise to Mandarin Mates.
With qualifications that include a Master of Finance from Tsinghua University, an MBA from Cornell University, and certifications in Pikler, RIE, and PITC, we combine pedagogical insight with real-world, cross-cultural understanding. Our backgrounds span early education, bilingual program design, and global academic pathways.
Members of the team have led international student initiatives and coordinated placements in prestigious settings—from Ivy League–led research programs to global forums such as Model United Nations. This work involved close collaboration with school leaders, teachers, families, and students to design meaningful overseas learning experiences and build strong university-ready portfolios. With first-hand experience in academic travel logistics and cross-cultural engagement, the team brings a global perspective to everything we do.
We believe real learning happens when families explore together. Mandarin Mates was created to bring language, culture, and travel to life, not just for young children, but for the parents who want to grow and connect alongside them.