Perkuhn’s path to China first leads via Mexico. There, she worked as an au pair in 2003. In the southern Mexican province of Oaxaca, a play about Pacific sea voyages sparks her interest in East Asia. She is left with strong impressions; in Germany, Perkuhn digs through the descriptions of the study courses and decides on sinology – and with it, „for the greatest challenge and the unknown.“ But is sinology also a decision for China? No, says Perkuhn. „Sinology is a decision for the Chinese cultural region.“