#8 Chormui Lee: Singapore to Everywhere to Florence, Italy

Wayfinders: new country immersions

Send us a text

In this captivating episode of Wayfinders, we explore the remarkable journey of Chormui Lee, whose quest for creative fulfillment has taken her from Singapore to the Renaissance city of Florence, with stops in China, the Philippines, and the Netherlands along the way.
Chormui's adventure begins with a pivotal semester abroad in Maastricht, Netherlands, where she first encountered a radically different approach to education. The experience of problem-based learning and open discussion challenged her educational background and sparked a lifelong appetite for exploration. As she puts it, "I learned a lot from that six months... and I've never turned back."
Her professional journey started in Singapore with roles at major companies like Singapore Airlines, HP, and Philips. But it was China that would shape the next chapter of her life. Through a government traineeship program, Chormui found herself managing procurement at a Philips TV factory in Suzhou, witnessing firsthand the fascinating collision of Western and Chinese business cultures. Her initial two-year stay evolved into seven years across Suzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing, where she developed expertise in market research and gained deep insights into China's rapid transformation.
A pivot took her to the United Kingdom for public policy studies, followed by a strategic role in advertising and a position with the Asian Development Bank in Manila. But it was her bold decision to pursue a second career in design that is most interesting. This led her to Florence, Italy, where she immersed herself in the birthplace of Renaissance art and design.
In Florence, Chormui discovered a profound connection to the city's artistic heritage, particularly through the work and philosophy of Leonardo da Vinci. His approach to creativity – viewing every piece as a work in progress and constantly seeking improvement – deeply resonated with her own journey. Walking the same streets where Renaissance masters once worked, she found herself surrounded by centuries of artistic innovation and cultural history.
Chormui's story is particularly inspiring for anyone contemplating a creative career transition or considering study abroad. Her experience demonstrates that it's never too late to pursue one's passion, and that sometimes the most enriching path is the one that leads us far from our original plans. As she advises others contemplating similar moves: "You just have to start somewhere. You just have to take the first step."
This episode of Wayfinders reminds us that the journey of personal and creative discovery is ongoing, and that each new destination can open unexpected doors to growth and fulfillment. Through Chormui's eyes, we see how the courage to embrace change and follow our creative instincts can lead to a life rich in experience and meaning.
-----
Thank you for listening to this episode of Wayfinders! If you find Chormui's story inspiring, please share it with others who might be contemplating their own creative transitions or international adventures.