Photo provided to Hangzhoufeel
Story
By Huang Yu & Lim Jiajia
Do you truly know yourself? Before meeting Adina Deacu, my answer would have been, “Of course!”
One ordinary Friday, I clicked on an article about “entrepreneurship” and was intrigued by an author who described her entrepreneurial journey using terms like “woman band”, ghosts, and unicorns. Curious, I was compelled to learn more about the writer. While browsing articles on Tianmei’s World Academy (TMWA), I stumbled upon a video. In the video, a woman with short hair and square, thin-rimmed glasses spoke eloquently, introducing her field of expertise--environmental psychology. That woman was Adina Deacu.
The most compelling quality a person can have is the ability to attract and inspire others, and Adina is a perfect example of this. As the founder of Tianmei’s World Academy, established in 2015, she has inspired countless members across China to focus on personal development. Although Adina spends most of her time in Shanghai, Hangzhou holds a special place in her heart. The city is home to By River Bistro & Canteen, which serves as the Academy's only physical activity hub.
Since Adina is currently in Shanghai, I decided to get to know her better through a video interview. The call began. On the other side of the screen, Adina sat poised, her hand delicately resting against her lips. Her slender-framed glasses gave her an air of sophistication. Her greeting was gentle and warm, yet her presence exuded grace and confidence, leaving a lasting impression.
When I asked Adina which language she preferred for the interview, she jokingly responded in Chinese, “Are you doubting my Chinese? It’s up to you.” A few seconds later, she began explaining “Tianmei’s World Academy” and “environmental psychology” to me, speaking fluently in Chinese. That was when I realized that her journey was about much more than just a career--it was a form of social innovation.
“You’re allowed to be yourself, but what exactly does that mean? That’s what Tianmei’s World Academy aims to explore with you,” Adina explained. The Academy is intended to be a decentralized "network of classrooms" and a cross-cultural educational platform. It transforms everyday spaces--cafés, offices, and more--into alternative learning environments. By using the principles of environmental psychology, it helps people understand which types of environments and methods best suit their personal learning and self-development needs. This approach empowers individuals to integrate these insights into their daily lives, unlocking their potential and moving beyond the “one-size-fits-all” mindset.
During our conversation, Adina shared that her entrepreneurial journey in China came about entirely by chance. Originally an urban planner from Romania, she had the chance to intern in China through a friend’s recommendation. At the time, in 2012, China was already undergoing rapid development. As someone who thrives on new experiences, Adina didn’t hesitate to make the move. However, she could never have imagined how deeply this decision would shape her life’s course.
Before founding Tianmei’s World Academy, Adina had explored various jobs, the longest of which lasted just eight months. When a friend once asked her, "What is it about entrepreneurship that has kept you going for four years?" she responded, “I feel like my life is all about constantly learning new things. Once I’ve figured out how to solve problems in a job and learned what I need to, I find reasons to move on and start something new. I excel at solving problems, and entrepreneurship offers an endless stream of them.”
This mindset led her to cross paths with Lang, the owner of By River Bistro & Canteen, during an event in Shanghai. Their shared ideas and philosophies quickly forged a bond, and Lang, who has a keen interest in environmental psychology, saw the potential for Tianmei’s World Academy to benefit many people. “Collaborating with Tianmei’s World Academy has transformed By River into more than just a restaurant,” Lang said. “Here, anything feels possible.” The collaboration was soon initiated, bringing a new dimension to both of their ventures.
So, what do the members do at the physical activity hub? “We share our thoughts and insights on a specific topic, and Adina asks questions and encourages all members to express themselves,” said Da Shou (a nickname), a member of Tianmei’s World Academy. Da Shou also participated in a spiritual retreat in Quanzhou organized by Adina. During the retreat, Adina helped her overcome her inner fears, making her more open to expressing herself confidently. “Adina told me, ‘There’s no right or wrong, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, just look at the situation from a different perspective and turn a period into a question mark.’ For me, it was like a beam of light shining into my heart. I felt seen and understood for the first time,” said Da Shou.
Before the interview, I had little understanding of psychology and often dismissed my negative emotions as mere mood swings, whereas Tianmei’s World Academy emphasizes an important perspective: even when faced with what might seem like mood swings or failures, it is crucial not to remain stagnant. Instead, focus on finding solutions within the challenges, as this is the only way to truly discover what works best for you.