Jeanine Hsu interview

 

Can you tell us a little bit about you and your family?

My mother is Austrian and my father is Chinese and I was born in London and raised between there and HK with a few years in Austria along the way - so lots of different cultural influences!

My husband Lars is German and has lived in Germany, the US, Mexico and Singapore before arriving in HK where we met and soon had 3 boys together; Kai who just turned  8, and the twins Kuno and Cosmo who are 4 years old.

What brought you to Hong Kong originally, and what prompted your move away?

At the age of 7, my sister and I moved from London to Hong Kong together with my mother who remarried there. I lived in both cities at different stages of my life, following the best place for my studies and career. During the pandemic my husband and I luckily took the children to Bali for some fresh air and to escape the mental health pressures that were unbearable for both small children and their parents in HK at that time. Spending time there in that context we quickly realised it could offer an alternative childhood rooted in lush nature catering for them both spiritually and things like sports as well. This dovetailed with it being a great opportunity for my business, so we decided to make the move.

How long have you and your family been living overseas?

We arrived here in May 2022. To be honest it was an idea I manifested in 2009 when I had the privilege to spend a month in Bali at yoga retreats and 2 weddings. I visited the remarkable Green school (shown around by John Hardy himself) and was inspired by and drawn to this realization of a radical concept that resonated so much with my own values.

Prior to that I had made the decision to uproot my life in London and move back to HK to be closer with my family and arrived wondering what to do next. 

I had started the jewellery brand already but was questioning at that point whether to continue - I listened to my heart - and visualised an evolution of my life where I would have a successful sustainable jewellery business, 4 Children, and be living in Bali. And so, here we are! (Minus 1 child, but we’ve also adopted a street dog :)) or my husband can often be a substitute!

What’s your favourite thing about living in Bali?

The space and the immersion in nature, I think it’s the general positive and spiritual energy that is so apparent and celebrated daily

 And what’s the thing you’ve found most difficult to adjust to?

I think the getting around part. I have still not mastered how to ride a motorbike, nor do I feel I can risk it with the amount of accidents out here and being the mother of 3 children. In london I had my bicycle and in Hong Kong I walked everywhere so being dependant on someone else is rather frustrating (although I drive a car the constant intense traffic & lack of parking is  annoying)

 

 

How is parenting different from in Hong Kong?

The vibe here is more child friendly, and socially children are welcomed into more diverse occasions which means we spend more ti
me as a family here than we did in HK where we felt more reliant on nannies.

How have your career prospects changed since moving?

I have continued working on my brand niin, with the ethos of treading lightly on the earth.

I am determined to bring this dream, which began 13 years ago, to its complete fruition. Living in Bali allows you to live more intentionally, immersed in a more like minded culture which acknowledges the importance of the impact we have, both socially and environmentally. I’m constantly meeting people who appreciate what we do - spreading positive energy day to day.

How has it been making friends and establishing a social network?

Luckily we already had some good friends who lived here, then met some great people through them - plus you meet parents at schools all the time and they’re consistently pretty cool and/or friendly :)

 

 

Top tips or recommendations for families moving to Bali?

It takes a village (and a lot of paperwork!) Get a good trusted agent for your VISAS / KITAS and join the group chats of communities which are super helpful. (Reach out if interested and I can possibly help guide you)

What’s the thing you miss most about Hong Kong?

So many things! The wonton noodles, family and friends, hiking, boating, the convenience of getting around and the art and culture.

  

 

 

Is there anything you do regularly with your kids to remind them of their time in Hong Kong?

Dimsum!

 We celebrate Chinese tradition and try to keep up with traditions here too - we visit their grandparents who are still living there as well.

What’s the one thing you’d miss most if you left Bali?

The relaxed way of life (which includes stunning sunsets, very affordable massages.. and the sea of smiling people)

Any last comments you’d like to add?

Please like us on Insta @niin_jewellery / www.niin.co

Thank you so much 🙌🏼🙏💪🏽