Canadian educator Donna Trafford believes she has found her niche in Shenzhen after working and living in the city for the past two years.

After working as a teacher in New Brunswick, Canada, for 35 years, including 10 years as a supervisor and principal, Trafford retired in June 2006. She obtained her master's degree in education and literacy from the University of New Brunswick in 2000.

In 2004, Trafford became the host for a Chinese teacher, surnamed Li, from the Shenzhen Concord College of Sino-Canada, who visited Canada with her students on an exchange program.

Learning Trafford had so much experience in education, Li asked Trafford about moving to China when Li left Canada with her students.

"Li is the person who convinced me to move to China after my retirement," she recalled. "But I didn't want to come to China just to take some pictures as a visitor."

In August 2006, two months after her retirement, Trafford was offered a job as a second-language teacher at the International School of Sino-Canada (ISSC) in Shenzhen, and says she had no hesitation in moving to the city. She became the new principal at the ISSC this September. "So far, I have no regrets in moving to Shenzhen, and I've found my niche working and living in the city," Trafford said.

Trafford, who comes from the northern rural part of New Brunswick in Canada, has been enjoying going to concerts and performances in Shenzhen.

"Because I grew up in a small town in Canada, I didn't have the opportunity to go to wonderful Beethoven concerts, orchestras, choirs, shows and performances," she said.

"I'm pleased that Shenzhen can offer so much wonderful international entertainment." (Newman Huo)