About us

Our people

Our people

 

The multilingual Hutong School staff consists of both foreign and Chinese employees, always available to make your stay in China truely unforgettable.

Jan Wostyn

Jan Wostyn

Managing Director and Co-founder

Languages: Dutch, English, French, Mandarin, Spanish, Norwegian and German

I was born and raised in Flanders, Belgium. After obtaining my Master Degree in Economics at the University of Leuven, I left for Wuhan, China to study the Chinese language. I returned to Belgium to get a Bachelor in Chinese studies in Leuven, and then continued studying Chinese at Xiamen University and Fudan University (Shanghai). In 2005 I co-founded Hutong School in Beijing and acted as Marketing Manager and later General Manager. In 2008, I returned to Belgium to obtain an MBA at Vlerick. As a Managing Director, my goal is to further promote the Hutong School worldwide, by establishing a wide network of agents, universities, Chinese language schools and companies doing business in China. 

Brussels [email protected]
Jeremie Rossignol

Jeremie Rossignol

Co-founder

Languages: French, English and Mandarin

Hi! I'm Jeremie from France. I arrived in China in 2002 for an internship. These few months in Beijing changed my life. After graduating in Law and Politics in 2004 I returned to China and co-founded Hutong School. Since then, I am devoted to developing an organization driven by human values and offering young people from all over the world an experience that will impact their life durably. 

Paris [email protected]
Anne Hak

Anne Hak

Program Director

Languages: Dutch, English

Hi There! I am from the Netherlands and a year after my studies in the United States, I moved to China. I work for Hutong School for many years already and enjoy the dynamic and interesting environment that we offer to students. China is an interesting country and it will challenge you every day in a positive way! Experience it yourself and join our student network in China! 

Beijing [email protected]
Ida Speyer

Ida Speyer

Marketing Director

Languages: Danish, English and Spanish

Ni hao, my name is Ida and I am from Denmark. I have lived all over the world but in 2015 China drew me back with its incredible cuisine, culture, people and diversity. Shanghai offers an exciting mix of old and new China, making sure that you are always experiencing something new wherever you go. I believe everyone should come and see China for themself as it really is impossible to explain it all in words. 

Shanghai [email protected]
Wei Ming Virasami

Wei Ming Virasami

Financial Director and Branch Manager

Languages: Mandarin and English

Hello, I’m Wei Ming Virasami, Financial Director and Branch Manager at Hutong School and I’m based in Shanghai. I am originally from Shandong Province - home of Lai Yang Pear and Tsingdao beer! I studied in the UK where I majored in accounting and finance before I settled in Shanghai. I was a senior auditor at Ernst & Young for several years before I joined Hutong School three years ago. I enjoy traveling and learning about other cultures. Thanks for stopping by our website and hope you get a chance to visit our school located in the beautiful Former French Concession

Shanghai [email protected]
Sang Rongli

Sang Rongli

Education Director

Languages: Mandarin, English, Japanese

Ni hao! My name is Xiǎo lì (小丽). I'm from the Province of Anhui. I graduated from Anhui Nomal University, and since then I have been teaching Chinese for over 6 years in Shanghai. I have specialized in teaching Chinese and I have studied the history of Chinese language, both modern and ancient. In these 6 years I had the honor to teach Chinese to over 200 students, from any part of the world. I really appreciate the time I spend with my students. In my free time I like travelling, cooking and reading.

Shanghai [email protected]
Chang Haina

Chang Haina

Branch Manager Beijing

Languages: Mandarin and English

Hi, my name is Haina. I’m a Beijinger and I have deep emotional ties with this old city.  Beijing was the capital for two dynasties with every ancient structure having its special story. That’s also one of the reasons I absorb myself in Chinese history and culture.  After graduation, I became a member of Hutong School team and it has been two years since then. As an education coordinator, I will do my best to help you with studying Chinese and if you’d like, I’d be happy to share stories of Beijing as well.  Hope to meet you in China and I believe you will fall in love with this country as my colleagues and students do!

Beijing [email protected]
Joseph Williams

Joseph Williams

Program Manager

Languages: English, Mandarin

Welcome to Hutong School! I love having the opportunity to meet so many new students every month. As an Englishman, I hadn’t learnt another language before Mandarin, so I know how daunting the task ahead can seem. However, irrespective of education, age or background anyone can succeed in learning Chinese! Feel free to ask me anything about life in Shanghai, I play lots of football (Soccer, the one that you actually use your feet) here and keep myself busy with other activities around town. Maybe you would like to get involved too? 

Shanghai [email protected]
Astrid Soetanto

Astrid Soetanto

Program Consultant

Languages: Dutch, English, Indonesian, French

Ni hao! I'm Astrid and I was born and raised in Belgium. I studied Intercultural Relations Management and International Business and was always fascinated by Asia. I started my China adventure with Hutong School by doing an internship in Beijing and Shanghai. I had the best time of my life! China is such an exciting country that learns you how to grow on a professional level but also on a personal level. As a Program Consultant, I hope to share this great experience with individuals from all over the world who are curious about what China can offer them. I'm happy to guide our students through their China adventure and help them overcome any doubts or challenges. Every day in China is an adventure. If you live like a local, living expenses are quite cheap, good food, feels very safe in the streets, it’s easy to meet new people and there are lots of places to travel to! 

Shanghai [email protected]
Robert-warman

Robert Warman

Program Consultant

Languages: English, Mandarin

Hi everyone, my name is Robert, and I’m from the UK. I have a passion for learning Mandarin and getting to know Chinese culture. Beijing is a city that has so much going on! I love live music and playing in bands, so I was surprised to discover Beijing has an amazing music scene. Besides music, I have spent a lot of time getting to know Beijing, and I enjoy showing others the great things the city has to offer. 

I understand that it is a big step to “take the plunge” and move to China and it is a pleasure to be able to help new students prepare for their trip. Learning Chinese while being surrounded by the language 24-7 is an amazing experience. The more Mandarin you learn, the more the world comes alive around you which is vital for actually understanding the people and culture.

Upon arriving in Beijing, I quickly realized that the Mandarin that I had learnt in class back in the UK, only scraped the surface of how people communicate here.  I especially like the Beijing dialect. They have a bizarre errr twang on the end of many words that makes them sound like pirates when they talk!

There is something new to learn and experience every day here. Although I have lived in Beijing for a while now, I am still learning and finding new things I like about the city.

I hope you can join us soon and I look forward to meeting you!

Beijing [email protected]

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