Han Zhang

Master of International Studies, University of Queensland
M.A. in Applied Linguistics, Southwest University, China
B.A. in English Language and Education, Southwest University, China

Born and raised in Kunming, Yunnan, Han attended university in Chongqing, and
then worked in Chengdu. His broad experience in Southwest China helped him
develop unique insights to the region’s diverse ethnic groups, cultures, social customs
and geography. As a seasoned NGO professional, Han served seven years for Heifer
International China Office in various capacities of fundraising, program management,
communication and networking, including hosting more than 30 study tours for
donors, international schools and scholars to visit rural and ethnic minority project
sites.

Around the same time, Han also volunteered for several other NGOs including
Interplast, a California-based cleft surgery charity; and ShelterBox, a UK-based
disaster relief charity and a Rotary working partner. He participated as a front-line
relief volunteer in the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, and subsequently, in 2010, in the
Yushu Earthquake (Tibetan region), Qinghai Province. Han was honored by
ShelterBox to undergo a 9-day military styled training in the U.K. and became the
first Chinese to receive the ShelterBox certified response qualification.
As a Rotary Peace Fellow, Han completed his second master’s degree in International
Studies at University of Queensland in 2017, instilling in him a solid theoretical
foundation of international relations and a thorough understanding of peace and
conflict resolution.

Due to his love of public speaking and leadership training, Han was a co-founder of a
Toastmasters club in Chengdu and has been a member and a mentor for many young
members for more than seven years, rising through the ranks to become a Division
Governor for Toastmasters South China District 89.
Having spent the past three years living in Australia, he has gained a profound
understanding of Western culture, acquired quite a few Aussie slangs and explored a
number of fascinating aspects of the Australian wilderness.

In his spare time, Han works as a freelance translator, a language tutor, and as a
diligent dad of a 20-month old baby. He plays tennis twice a week, and enjoys
hiking and jogging every now and then. He is keen to share his local knowledge and
explore new places with Dragons students.