Name
Johannes Chun
Time at GESS
1992-2001
Year of Graduation
2001
What has your learning journey after GESS been like?
After my graduation, I “returned“ to Germany (which I did not consider to be my home or country at that time) to attend university. I studied Sports Science with a focus on Computer Science at the TU Darmstadt, graduating in early 2007.
Immediately after submitting my thesis – and technically before formally graduating – I went on a six month language course in Beijing. I studied Mandarin intensively and became pretty good. Unfortunately after 13 years of no practice, I can barely speak it now.
I returned to Germany once more, and at the end of 2007, started my career at Accenture in Frankfurt. I worked as an IT consultant and SAP project manager for 10 years, working on projects all over Europe. In fact the first time I worked on a project in Germany was in my 4th year, and that only lasted for a few months before I felt the urge to get on the road again, so when the opportunity came to get on a project that took me to the UK and even India, I jumped on it.
In 2015, my family and I relocated to Indonesia and in 2017, I decided to quit Accenture and follow my passion of working with and helping people become healthier, fitter and better humans. I founded my own fitness community called Kinsei-Do, running group outdoor sessions as well as personal training.
Realizing I needed to balance my passion with a “steady“ job, I joined the British School Jakarta as an Enterprise Development Manager. In this role, my team and I look at maximizing the school’s business and marketing potential outside of the core business, which is of course, academics.
Occupation
- Enterprise Development Manager, British School Jakarta
- Founder and Head Coach of Kinsei-Do Functional Fitness
What is your favourite memory of your time at GESS?
There are far too many for me to recount all, but I had the best time of my life while being in high school. To this day, my closest friends are some of the people that I met back at DSS (Deutsche Schule Singapur – how GESS was known back then) over 20 years ago, and with these bonds came countless wonderful memories. From competing at the South East Asia Games from 1997 to 2000, to the various class trips from Tioman to Hanoi, and of course all the “normal“ things like Friday night football at the Institute of Physical Education (a.k.a. PE), these times can definitely only be described as golden!
What do you miss most about your time at GESS?
As with most great memories, they are made great by the people that you made them with, and it’s the same with my childhood memories in Singapore!
What do you miss about Singapore and your life here?
Even though I am aware that the Singapore of today is largely different from the Singapore of the 90s (both positively and negatively), not a day goes by without me thinking about Singapore in one way or another and wishing that I was there. Living in Indonesia with my family, the thing I probably miss the most about life in Singapore would be its convenience. In Singapore, the streets are safe, public transport is amazing and the air is clean. These are the little things that are easily taken for granted until you do not have them anymore.
Do you have any favourite spots in Singapore?
It is difficult to name just a few spots, but I certainly love the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, as well as the condominium where we used to live and where my parents still live. So many great memories there!
Of all the new things that have come up in Singapore since I left in 2001, I really like the entire Marina Bay area for running, walking or just for spending time outdoors with the family.
Do you think your time at GESS and in Singapore has impacted your (future) life?
Massively! First and foremost, after leaving Singapore in 2001, I missed it so much that I came back almost every year during the semester break, and I met my wife there in 2002! My whole life would be very different now if not for that!
What did you learn during your time at GESS that you could not appreciate yet during your time there, but that you consider a valuable lesson now?
Being able to go to a good international school where every student is valued and looked after, a school where you can gain a network of supportive, tightly-knit group of friends is an absolute privilege which should never be taken for granted.
Is there any piece of advice or any experience you would like to share with current GESS students?
You might not be able to see it right now, but you are in one of the best schools in one of the most amazing countries/cities in the world, so try to enjoy every day and make the most of your time there! Be grateful for the small things and the big things, for the highlights, the challenges and the setbacks. Life is very unpredictable, but you will have the best possible foundation to go out and make a big impact in the world!
You are a GESS Alumni and would like to share your memories of GESS with us? Please email us at alumni@gess.sg. We will love to get to know you!
