SEPTEMBER 2015 CONTENTS
32
46
34 PARENTING
42
The Hot Topic
Sally Wilson addresses the expat empty nest
ESSENTIALS
43
The Echo Chamber
7 8 12 58
Ember Swift is enthralled by TCM
Happenings in Beijing’s international family scene
The Gilliland family shares their best of Beijing
FEATURES 46
What’s Up, Daifu?
Getting treatment at Chinese public hospitals
50
Cover Me
How to choose medical insurance
54
Protecting Against Disease
China’s vaccination schedule
64
Editor’s Note September Events New Arrivals The Circuit Family Favorites
ON THE COVER: Selma Hassan (age 6) dressed up as both nurse and patient for our cover, swapping roles with her counterpart “Bear.” The Hassan-Alireza family is Saudi Arabian. Selma and her older sister Yasmine (11) are both students at the International School of Beijing. Dad Faisal Alireza, who is a director at Aramco Asia, headquartered here in Beijing, came to drop off Selma, and Mom Mona Hassan, who is a PR specialist at Saudi Aramco, kept Selma company throughout the photo shoot at Vista International Medical Center. Photography by Dave’s Studio