Get to Know Elton… 

When did you join Grok?
2022

Describe yourself in three words.
Passionate, communicative, driven

What were you doing before working at Grok?
Before joining Grok and moving back to China, I was working at the University of Winchester for recruitment, partnerships in East and Southeast Asia, and looking after international social media marketing. Prior to Winchester, I worked for two other UK institutions, Queen Mary University of London as Regional Manager and University of Edinburgh as Deputy Director for East Asia.

What was your first job in education?
New Oriental as Management Trainee

What does international education mean for you?
International education is not purely about the degree that you get in the end, but also the culture, language and life experiences packed into the time you spent overseas. Being an international student who has worked in the industry for over ten years, it is undoubtedly a rewarding experience at both personal and professional levels. In today’s age of knowledge and technology, a well-connected network and global awareness are increasingly viewed as one of the most important sought-after assets.

What is one of the most satisfying outcomes you’ve helped a client to achieve?
I’ve been able to help expand the growth of the university’s partnership activities for two of my previous institutions, where they managed to secure research funding from overseas partner universities, as well as expand the number and models of TNE programmes in different subject areas. Secondly, as an international student recruiter, it is such a satisfying experience to be part of the international student journey and help them achieve their goal, especially when you welcome international students at Heathrow airport or on campus. They start to talk about their journey from a fair or event where you first met at their home country.

What is your favourite movie/book?
Hot Fuss

What is your dream travel destination? Why?
It’s hard to pick one! I love Southern France. It is the perfect combination of food, wine, small villages and Mediterranean Sea.

What is your favourite food to eat with friends?
Dim Sum and Japanese

What is a something you’ve learned from somebody inspirational?
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.’ Barack Obama