China-based Staff

Beijing Staff

Han Bing, Director, Beijing Program
Han Bing is a native of Beijing, who has worked in study abroad and Chinese language teaching since 1997. He has many years of experience as a program director as well as a Chinese language instructor in China and the United States. In recent years he has taught Chinese language, culture, film studies, and Chinese business culture in China and in the US at both Vassar College and Williams College. He has also led numerous student trips throughout China, including Yunnan, Sichuan, Northwestern China, Silk road, Northeastern China, Eastern China, Guangdong, and Tibet. In addition to managing the Beijing program, Han Bing leads the Field Study Trip for Fudan program students. Han Bing earned a BA in Electrical Engineering in 1996, a BA in International Trade in 1997, and an MA in Microwave Communications Technology in 2000.

Guo Wenjing, Program Assistant/Full-Time Teacher, Beijing Program
Guo Wenjing earned her BA in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language from Shaanxi Normal University and went on to pursue her MA in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics from Beijing Language University (BLCU). Guo Wenjing has been teaching Chinese to students of varying levels since her first year of graduate school. She participated in the American University Program and received the top teaching evaluation. She was also awarded the opportunity to teach as a full time professor at American University in Washington, D.C. During her tenure at AU, Guo Wenjing was also the advisor of Chinese Club. Guo Wenjing joined the Alliance after completing her MA in June 2009. In addition to teaching full-time, she also fills the role of program assistant and manages the administrative side of the BLCU office.

Shanghai Staff

Tian Zhuo, Language Director, Shanghai Programs
Tian Zhuo brings to the Alliance a strong background in Chinese language teaching. Through her experience of teaching for several years at a well-known study abroad program in Beijing, she developed a keen understanding of Chinese language pedagogy and the needs of American students and was promoted to Head Teacher. In 2005, Tian Zhuo joined the Chinese Department of Middlebury College in Vermont and remained there until 2007. As Language Director of the Alliance’s Shanghai Programs, she is responsible for maintaining superior language instruction by supervising and training Alliance language teachers and working closely with the our students. Tian Zhuo earned a BA in Accounting in 1996 and a MA in Minority Economics in 2001.

Wang Kai, Director, SUFE International Business Program
Wang Kai brings to the Alliance an academic background in communication studies focusing on intercultural communication, coupled with hands-on experience working in the field of study abroad, higher education, and professional training. He has taught and advised U.S. undergraduates at the University of Kansas, and has taught English to undergraduates in China. Kai received his PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas and an M.A. in Communication from Pittsburg State University. His personal interests range from playing Go, watching sports, to traveling in the U.S. as well as in China. He serves as a resource to our students in the SUFE International Business Program, organizes activities and trips, and helps them deepen their understanding of China.

Helen Wang, SUFE Program Assistant
Helen assists the Program Director in all aspects of student services at the SUFE International Business program. She has experience teaching Chinese to foreign students and acting as a translator for several organizations. She earned her BA in Political Science and English from Liaoning Normal University, and her MA in International Relations from East China Normal University in Shanghai.

Michelle Sans, Director, Fudan Programs
Michelle, who holds MA degrees in Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language and in Chinese Language and Literature, first went to Taipei in 1986 to teach English and study Chinese. Since then, China has shaped the course of her professional life. She lived in Nanjing for four years, where she studied and later taught at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center; and after returning to San Francisco, she chose work that would regularly bring her back to China. That has included leading a dozen academic tours throughout China and researching and writing two chapters of Frommer’s first China Guide, which took her to some of the less visited provinces, including Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Qinghai (still three of her favorite destinations.) While directing VIA’s (Volunteers in Asia) China program, Michelle worked with volunteer organizations across the country and developed a keen interest in China’s burgeoning civil society. Shanghai, best known as an economic giant, is also home to a number of grassroots organizations. Michelle looks forward to finding new opportunities for Alliance students to interact with this growing nonprofit sector.

Zherui Ding, Fudan Programs Assistant
Zherui (Ella) Ding graduated from East China Normal University, where she majored in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. Ella supports all aspects of student service and is involved with program planning and coordination at Fudan. In addition, Ella also teaches Chinese for the International Business program at SUFE. As a native of Shanghai, Ella is very familiar with the city and local culture and is great resource for exploring all this amazing city has to offer.

Xi'an Staff

Omar Ali, Director Xi'an Program
Omar developed a passion for China while studying Chinese language and culture during his junior year abroad in Beijing. He strengthened his language skills at Johns Hopkins University where he studied Intermediate and Advanced Chinese. Omar later spent several years in Beijing, returning to lead student trips on the Silk Road, teach English, and produce educational documentaries about China. Most recently, Omar worked as Director of China Relations with the Asia Pacific US Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles. As Director of the Xi’an Program, Omar is responsible for all aspects of program management including orientation, activities and trips, health and safety, and academic advising.