Susie Alba from the UK loves being principal of Craigclowan Preschool Xi'an. [Photo/Visual Xi'an]

"Although I have been in Xi'an for less than two years, the friendliness of the city and the cuteness of the children made me fall in love with it," said Susie Alba, who is the principal of Craigclowan Preschool Xi'an.

"As long as I don't leave China, I will work and live in the city and will cultivate more future international talent for Xi'an," she added.

Having been in China now for nine years, Susie speaks Chinese very well and her daily communications with Chinese colleagues and friends are basically barrier-free.

In August 2021, for the first time, Susie went to Craigclowan Preschool Xi'an. She now leads nearly 40 teaching staff members, thinking all the time about how to enable nearly 100 children there to get the very best education.

"An international preschool is by no means as simple as bilingual teaching. It should be a school with international education concepts," she said.

Susie Alba talks to some of the kids at Craigclowan Preschool Xi'an. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

Under her guidance, teachers identify fresh instructional topics and objectives each week. Through each key word, the knowledge learned by the children is interconnected.

During each traditional festival held by in two countries, Chinese and British children send blessings to each other. When it came to this year's Dragon Boat Festival, children learned how to make Chinese rice dumplings with the guidance of their teachers in Craigclowan School in the UK – with the Chinese children cheering their friends from afar via video link.

Susie said that with the acceleration of globalization, the charm of China's excellent traditional culture has influenced more of the world. The preschool will continue to integrate that culture into its educational program, she added.

Susie Alba communicates with teaching staff members. [Photo/Visual Xi'an]

In her spare time, she likes to travel. She adores the Qinling Mountains, the Terracotta Warriors and the Xi'an City Wall. "I have also learned about Xi'an's current technological innovation and its rural vitalization through various activities,” she said.

"The more I know, the deeper I love the city."

Looking to the future, Susie said she will take the preschool's teaching and management to an even higher level. Also, she hopes to carry out exchanges and cooperate with more schools in Xi'an.