Chen Junyu

junyusoso@163.com

“FOLLOW me, please, or you’ll miss out on the amazing Chinese legacy!” Xie Jinyan, a Chinese volunteer at Nanshan Museum, passionately urged her guests as she shared fascinating Shenzhen-related stories in fluent English. Her expat guests would occasionally burst into applause as she spoke.

Xie, affectionately known as Jennifer by her friends, is an experienced docent and a bilingual volunteer of the International Volunteer Team at Nanshan Museum, having served for over 1,400 hours. The first of its kind in Shenzhen, the team officially registered in 2019 in Nanshan District, drawing in expats and multilingual Chinese residents eager to contribute. Nanshan now boasts several international volunteer teams, including the Zhaoshang Subdistrict Volunteer Team and Shekou International Volunteer Team.

Before devoting herself to volunteering in Shenzhen, Xie traveled and lived in many countries. Armed with a degree in computer science from a foreign university, she secured a respectable position at a Fortune 500 company.

However, her husband’s job, demanding frequent moves, prompted her to resign and prioritize family over career. Over the years, they lived in over 10 countries, including Canada, the U.K., and Malaysia.

The pivotal moment came in 2018 when the family decided to settle in Shenzhen. With her children growing older, Xie found herself with newfound time and energy and started volunteering at Nanshan Museum. In 2020, she embraced the role of an English-speaking volunteer, assisting expats in COVID testing.

“I notice that there are an increasing number of international residents in Shenzhen, and with my language skills, I could help them better integrate into China and understand Shenzhen through volunteer service,” Xie said.

In addition to volunteering at Nanshan Museum, Xie also participates in volunteer activities organized by Nantou Ancient Town and OCT Wetland Nature School. Communities in Futian and Luohu districts also invite her to conduct lectures and activities for international residents.

This November, Xie received an invitation to participate in the “Discovery of Nanshan” activity organized by the Nanshan District Foreign Affairs Office. Serving as a volunteer guide, she led nearly 50 expat students and residents on a journey through ecological parks in Nanshan.

(Lin Jiazhao, Jia Luyi, and Lin Yuting contributed to the proofreading of the article.)