At just 27 years old, Jenny Zhu has a global fan club of 300,000 listeners registered with her Chinese language ChinesePod podcast and is also host of Chinese lifestyle radio show, Soulfire Radio. She spoke to Sophie Loras about her Australian education experience after winning the 2009 Australian Alumni Award for Media and ICT.

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Jenny Zhu
Host of ChinesePod / Manager of ChinesePod Learning Centre
Winner: 2009 Australian Alumni Award for Media and ICT
Universities: University of Sydney / UNSW

Australia China Connections: How did you become involved in ChinesePod?

Jenny Zhu: I came back to China right after I finished my studies in Australia. I started working partly as an interpreter and partly as an English teacher in Ken Carrol (my co-host of ChinesePod lessons)'s English school in Shanghai. Ken was one of the founders of ChinesePod. He was looking for a Chinese to host the podcasts with him. He interviewed me and put me through some audio testing. As they say, the rest is history.
 
Australia China Connections: What you gained from your Australian education?

Jenny Zhu: Critical thinking, intellectual curiosity and to embrace and thrive on diversity.  
 
Australia China Connections: What role has your Australian education played in your successes?

Jenny Zhu: I spent my most formative years in Australia, which really helped shape how I see the world and even my personality. I was a shy kid growing up, but the Aussie sun and diversity definitely made me a much more outgoing and confident person. I don't think I can do my work at ChinesePod without those qualities. I also strongly identify with the down-to-earthiness and unpretentiousness of the Aussie identity, which helps me stay grounded in a city (Shanghai) that's big on material opulence.     
 
Australia China Connections: Why did you pick Australia for your overseas study experience?

Jenny Zhu: My parents had a family friend who lived in Sydney. He was an avid advocate for the wonderful lifestyle and education offered by Sydney. He recommended me to go there and study, something that I will forever be grateful for.

Judges comments:

"Jenny Zhu is pioneering new media in a highly competitive climate, and taking a leading role in providing not only platforms but also content as well,” said Australia China Alumni Association judge Rowan Callick. ■

To read more on the 2009 CPA Australia China Alumni Association Awards, click here.