Being an expat in China is both exciting and taxing. As stunning as China is, it is extremely different from what most people in the West are accustomed to.
It’s not an awful location to live for a while, but going into your trip to China prepared can help you get the most out of your stay there.
Understanding Standard of Living in China
Here are five things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of moving to China and starting a career there.
The place you choose to call home as an expat in China has a significant influence on your whole experience.
Choosing where to live and work in China will have a significant impact on your expat experience. As a result, your first obstacle will be coming to a conclusion that is appropriate for you.
Smaller cities and even rural areas provide a whole different kind of travel experience than major cities like Beijing or Shanghai.
However, this doesn’t imply that you’ll dislike the smaller scenes, but you should thoroughly investigate each place before signing a contract.
If not, there are a plethora of opportunities to teach English in China.
You’ll feel like a celebrity, and it’s something that everyone should have the opportunity to do at least once in their lives.
As China is a rather homogeneous country, seeing a foreign face is fascinating for most people.
People will approach you to snap pictures of you even if you’re in a huge city where there is significantly less traffic. Take a picture of yourself by directing the camera towards yourself.
Don’t take it personally. All they care about is whether or not they like you.
However, if you want to live quietly by yourself, this may be a major obstacle for you.
Learning the Chinese language might be challenging, but it’s always worthwhile to put in the time and effort.
Mandarin Chinese is difficult to learn.
Despite the fact that you may be able to get by in China if you don’t understand the language, you should definitely take Chinese courses to get the most out of your time there. Nowadays, the mobile world provides a wide variety of simple language applications that may help you learn Chinese more quickly and effectively. If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll always be lost and confused when you’re there.
Consider the subject matter before making a decision: respect the traditions
As Americans, we take our freedom of expression and other liberties for granted. It’s easy to overlook the fact that each country has its own unique political culture and traditions.
Discussing politics and critiquing the government is a pastime for many Americans. In China, you should not do such a thing.
Everything should be OK if you don’t bring up any touchy subjects.
Nourishing and stimulating your senses via food
If you want to experience authentic Chinese food, you’ll have to let go of your preconceived preconceptions about what it is.
After some time, you’ll notice parallels and some familiar products from your favorite Chinese restaurant back home. However, when you initially come, have an open mind and try as many things as you can.
Get a first-hand look at it.
There’s a lot more to living in China than this, and the best way to learn about it is to actually do it. Living in China has its ups and downs, but it’s an experience that will permanently alter your life.