Meet Our Team

Nick grew up in China before he came to the US for graduate studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has extensive business relationships with Chinese schools, companies, and NGOs. 

Nick is a cross-cultural communication expert and enjoys learning via travel. He has been leading Real Asia to help many schools across the US with their faculty-led study trips.

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With over ten years spent abroad, Joe has developed a vast global network and has been able to travel extensively throughout all of Asia. He has coordinated and led numerous MBA & EMBA overseas trips. Such programs include Wharton, Stanford, Columbia, HBS, Kellogg, and many more.

Joe is consistently praised for his excellent customer service, as well as for his leadership and passion for Asia. He currently lives in Taiwan and manages most of Real Asia’s Taiwan trips.

Carol began her career as an award-winning assistant producer for Taiwanese television working on travel shows, food features, and news segments while building strong communication and project management skills. After moving to the U.S., she shifted to e-commerce and digital marketing. Today, Carol designs immersive, customized travel programs across Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and other Asian destinations. With strong local ties and attention to detail, she curates authentic and engaging experiences. A passionate traveler, Carol loves exploring cultures and hidden gems.

Originally from New York City, Tai is half-Chinese and has extensively traveled and lived throughout China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. With over 15+ years of experience working in the US-Asia cross-cultural education arena, his dedication to Real Asia’s mission speaks for itself. Tai has led, sold, designed, and directed a diverse array of experiential learning programs for US students, Asian students, and adults throughout the world. He holds an MA in Intercultural Services, Leadership, and Management from SIT Graduate Institute, and completed the ICLP Mandarin-intensive language program at Taiwan National University. Tai is a girl dad and loves spending time with his family. During his free time, he can be found cooking, doing art, and traveling to new countries (30 and counting!). 

Diana has lived and studied in China, Japan, and Canada, earning graduate degrees in documentary filmmaking from Communication University of China and Waseda University. She spent eight years in Japan as a producer and director, capturing cultural stories across Asia. After further studies in Asian Studies at UBC, she transitioned into education, leveraging her filmmaking expertise and fluency in Uyghur, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean to create immersive travel experiences that connect people with Asia’s rich heritage.

Eric grew up between the US and China, has traveled to over 25 countries, and spent several years living in Thailand. With more than 6 years of experience in sales and fluency in English Chinese and Thai, he is passionate about connecting people across cultures, and sharing his Asian heritage through travel. Outside of work, Eric is also a musician, a chef (in his own kitchen), and a certified scuba diving enthusiast--always on the lookout for his next underwater adventure.

Jade has over 12 years of experience in customer service, technical support, administration, and B2C and B2B sales management in a variety of different industries such as TELCO, Insurance, Recruitment, and Travel. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, certified and passed the Insurance Certification in Singapore College of Insurance, and gained over 95% score in Abacus and Amadeus (GDS).  Jade is an expert in the Philippines and Singapore from her time studying and residing in these countries.

Ann-Marie is an Masters graduate from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, studying Korean society and culture. Her background is centralized in communications, sociology, education, and media, allowing her to have extensive experience in various fields of expertise. She’s a Texas native with over 2 years spent living in Korea, exploring and learning the language while leading research work on social issues. Her passions reside in sharing the intricacies of Korea with the world, especially young scholars, and helping them discover the unique experiences she had while studying and working in Korea.

Zoe Chen is from Shanghai and graduated from SISU, where she majored in Tourism English. Her academic journey was filled with enriching experiences that greatly shaped her perspectives and expanded her knowledge. After graduation, she traveled to over 20 countries and joined a travel agency. She has guided and coordinated numerous MBA & EMBA trips all over China. Zoe always believes teaching is learning and learning is teaching. She will continually delve into different cultures and the tourism industry. 

Nelly has over 8 years of experience in customer service and excelled in roles across hospitality, healthcare, and retail industries. Nelly's passion for travel has had a significant role in developing a broad cultural perspective and deep appreciation for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Nelly has built a strong understanding of global customer needs and service excellence, which has been invaluable in crafting personalized experiences that resonate with clients. Nelly's love for languages, having majored in French, further complements a rich travel background, fostering a unique ability to engage effectively across cultures. Nelly is excited to bring this blend of global insight, customer service excellence, and personal passion to the team, contributing to our collective success.

Jasmine is a seasoned professional in the educational travel industry with a rich background in cultural exchange and international education. She holds a Bachelor of Applied English from Northeast Normal University, and completed a Hotel Management Program in Australia after graduation. Since returning to China, Jasmine has dedicated over a decade to the educational travel sector. She has managed more than 100 international school projects and MBA programs, with a strong focus on promoting Chinese culture and providing foreign students with immersive experiences that highlight China's diversity. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and designing programs that allow students to explore and appreciate the multifaceted aspects of Chinese culture.

Born to Japanese parents, Miki has lived not only in Tokyo and Osaka but also in the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Iran, the UAE, South Africa, and the United States, experiencing a diverse range of cultures. Having spent her childhood in several Asian countries, she is particularly passionate about sharing the beauty and richness of Asian cultures with the world. For the past 5 years, Miki was in charge of human resources and marketing and contributed to the growth of a social startup in Tokyo, Japan. She is a mother of 3 children and a great cook, especially Japanese cuisine.

Sarah brings over 8 years of experience developing educational programs across China and Southeast Asia. A Chinese native, she previously managed travel programs at Minds Abroad, where she developed US academic partnerships and designed customized faculty-led experiences. Sarah also founded 51 Adventures, a boutique travel company specializing in Yunnan province experiences that earned a perfect 5.0 TripAdvisor rating. She excels in creating innovative educational itineraries and maintaining exceptional client relationships. In her free time, Sarah is passionate about learning through traveling the world, especially exploring China and Southeast Asia.

Renee has lived and studied in China, Canada, and Taiwan, which has shaped her into a highly adaptable professional with a truly global perspective. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Victoria in Canada and brings over eight years of cross-industry experience across banking, technology, and luxury goods. Her background spans finance, project coordination, and international trade operations, making her well-versed in navigating complex, multicultural environments. In her free time, Renee enjoys traveling, discovering new experiences, and exploring the underwater world through scuba diving. Her curiosity and sense of adventure extend beyond the workplace, enriching her approach to both life and work.