American academic learns the pleasure of making a home in Macao

Timothy Simpson never expected his stay in Macao would turn into such a long haul.

He arrived in 2001, thinking it would be a good stepping stone to greater adventure in Asia. Two decades later, the American from Alabama is firmly rooted in the city that has become his home.

"I came to Macao 18 months after its return to China in 1999," Simpson says, speaking of the days when he first took up a job at the University of Macau. "I thought I'd stay for just a couple of years."

But life had other plans.

Macao's energy, growth and cultural mix, and the university's expanding opportunities kept him there for longer than he had intended.

Now an associate professor of communications at the UM, Simpson has spent much of his career teaching classes and conducting research, focusing on topics like media, culture, communication and the gaming industry.

When he first arrived, the university was located on its old campus, a modest space compared to the sprawling, modern facilities it occupies today.

"I've seen the university's growth firsthand," Simpson says. He's watched it evolve over the years, as its academic standards rose, attracting an influx of talented students from Macao and the mainland.

"The students are incredible, bright and motivated," he says. "Actually, they've improved dramatically over the last two decades. Today, getting admitted is very stiff competition."

Simpson's ties extend beyond his role at the UM. He met his wife through the local Thai community, and he credits this personal connection as a major reason for making Macao his home.

As an expatriate, Simpson's experience of living in the city has been shaped by its blend of cultures. Centuries of Portuguese influence have left their mark, resulting in a multicultural atmosphere that he has come to cherish.

The Lusofonia Festival, an annual event celebrating Portuguese-speaking cultures, is one of the many expressions of Macao's multicultural identity that Simpson enjoys for its mix of music, dance and food from countries including Portugal, Brazil, Angola and Mozambique.

"It's moments like these that give me a real, vibrant sense of how diverse Macao still is today," Simpson says, adding that for him, the city's diversity isn't just in history, it's alive today in its people and the traditions celebrated every day.

He lives in the historic center of Macao near Senado Square, one of the most popular tourist areas. "It's sometimes difficult to navigate the sheer number of visitors, but tourism has contributed to Macao's development in the last 20 years."

Despite his roots, learning the language has been a challenge.

"The biggest failure of my life is that I don't speak Chinese fluently," he says. "I've taken both Mandarin and Cantonese lessons over the years, but I still struggle."

English is widely spoken in Macao, especially among younger generation, which makes it easier to navigate life.

His relationship with the city has deepened over time.

"Macao's growth has been astounding," Simpson says. "I happened to live here during this massive transformation of the city, the economy, and the population. It's a place that's constantly changing, constantly expanding."

The skyline has exploded with towering resort complexes, and he has observed a gradual, yet significant shift in the economy. As the government seeks to balance the gaming industry with other emerging sectors, Macao is navigating toward diversification.

"It's a big experiment," Simpson says. "What's truly fascinating is watching how the policies and strategies unfold, and seeing how these efforts create alternative economic drivers."

Being an expatriate has shaped his teaching approach. Drawing on his own experience of navigating cultural differences in Asia, he teaches students about the complexities of intercultural communication.

"I often share my mistakes with students," he says, adding that this helps them understand the realities of adapting to new cultures, whether in Macao or elsewhere.

Despite only intending to stay for a short while, as he looks to the future, Simpson says that he has no plans to leave. "I've made Macao my home. It's where I built my life, my career, and my family. I plan to stay here until I retire."