New Staff 2019
In the beginning of 2019, 3 new staff members have joined the GSEF Secretariat.
The incoming of new staff (Benjamin JOUANNES from France, Martin HO from Hong Kong and Sewon LEE from Korea) with their multilingual skills has further internationalized the Secretariat.
Benjamin contributes to the development of GSEF projects, focusing primarily on Europe and West Africa.
Martin’s main task is to develop projects in Asia, Northern America and English-speaking countries in Africa.
Sewon focuses on the administration and the membership management.
Their solid working experience and academic background will contribute to the expansion of GSEF and effective promotion of SSE internationally.
Wanna know a bit more about them? Please check their introduction below:
Benjamin JOUANNES
French/English
1) Favourite food - Not an actual dish but fruits will always put a smile on my face. Inexplicably and madly fond of raspberries.
2) Favourite hobby - Going to the movies (no really, I mean it).
3) Favourite book - Jirô Taniguchi's A distant neighbourhood/Quartier lointain and many other works by this talented mangaka whom is dearly missed.
4) Favourite movie/drama - Kim Jee-woon’s A bittersweet life
5) Favourite country - The country I've visited and liked the most so far is probably... Portugal. But I am a Winter person so I look forward to visiting Mongolia, Nepal and Canada one day - one of which might take top spot.
6) Someone you would like to meet - Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to meet Alan Rickman before he passed away... Maybe Ian McKellen or Obama?
7) Something you wanna do right now - Netflix and Korean fried chicken
8) Favourite quote - Mmmh hard to choose... My 3 favourite quotes then. "Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose." Tennessee Williams / "Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful, if it's bad, it's experience." Victoria Holt / “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Gandalf in J.R.R Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
9) If you could travel back in time, what would you say to yourself? Don't impose limitations upon yourself. Others will do it for you anyway, and you'll have to fight back if you want to get somewhere. Now, get out of bed!
10) If you could solve 1 social issue in the world (poverty, hunger, inequality, climate change, etc), which one would you solve? Climate change, otherwise there will soon be nothing left to enjoy or love, or endangered biodiversity (not sure if there is still time...). Definitely and environment-related issue.
11) Favourite athlete - Probably a French one haha. Kevin Mayer (decathlon) or Martin Fourcade (biathlon). But I also really like rugby and its widespread values of respect, teamwork and sportsmanship.
Martin HO
Cantonese/Mandarin/English/French
1) Favourite food - Seafood. Make sure it is fresh and use less spices as possible to keep the fresh taste. Just steam it or eat it raw
2) Favourite hobby - When the weather is good, jogging ; when the weather is bad, PS4
3) Favourite book - Désolé , Benjamin. Stephen Clarke's A year in the Merde
4) Favourite movie/drama - The Best of Youth directed by Marco Tullio Giordana
5) Favourite country - Thailand - nice food with sunshine on a beach
6) Someone you would like to meet - Neil Armstrong - I wanna ask him if he did land on the moon
7) Something you wanna do right now - Go home and sleep without my 3 years old daughter
8) Favourite quote - “My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.” Forest Gump
9) If you could travel back in time, what would you say to yourself? Except French, learn Korean as well. You are going to live there!!
10) If you could solve 1 social issue in the world (poverty, hunger, inequality, climate change, etc), which one would you solve? Climate change. If we cannot even breath, how can we solve other issues?
11) Favourite athlete - Paolo Maldini - he dedicated his carer to only 1 team. After his retirement as a player, he continues the youth training in AC Milan.
Sewon LEE
Korean/Mandarin/English
1) Favourite food - Dimsum- it made me remind of the period of time when I studies abroad in Taiwan
2) Favourite hobby - Singing a song - when I was in High School, the only thing that I relieve my stress was to sing a song with friends
3) Favourite book - a little prince- whenever I read the book 'a little prince', I realize the fresh lesson every time
4) Favourite movie/drama – Notebook- this movie makes me remind the first love of my entire life :)
5) Favourite country - Taiwan- During the time when I was in Taiwan as an exchange student, I had good memories such as traveling around Taiwan, Chinese Food, Good friends
6) Someone you would like to meet – Teacher in Taiwan- someday I want to meet my mentor who taught Taiwan's culture, language, food, customs
7) Something you wanna do right now - Want to go back home
8) Favourite quote - Stay hungry, Stay Foolish goes by Steve jobs - It makes me think of what is the most important in my life
9) If you could travel back in time, what would you say to yourself? Don't waste it giving someone else's life
10) If you could solve 1 social issue in the world (poverty, hunger, inequality, climate change, etc), which one would you solve? Climate change. Climate change has tremendously big effects on people's life
11) Favourite athlete - Kaka (football player) - I love his attitude and mind regarding football