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Living in a new country opens the door to a world of exciting differences — from the food, the people, and their rich culture, to the currency and even the time zone! Adding a job to the experience means you'll also get the chance to collaborate with diverse teams and gain fresh perspectives in the workplace.
Daily life brings new routines shaped by local infrastructure, public transport systems, architecture, and the rhythm of the city — all of which add to the richness of the experience.
China's infrastructure
When I arrived in China, to a very large city of 15 million in 2016 (it was expected to double within five years – wow), the mere size of the city was more than I’d ever experienced for living. Mostly, I was struck by the comment from a local, `China is a developing country'. I was wowed, and the statement still holds true nearly four years later. Now Shanghai and Beijing, Tianjin and Guangzhou (the larger cities – yes, even more than 15 million) may be different, but the vast majority of other cities are indeed ‘developing’ in every single way. It is not unusual to be caught unawares and amazed at garbage in the streets, very poor air quality, the fact that water from your sink is not drinkable, also that you cannot flush toilet paper. There is also an incredible amount of construction of buildings, roads, and transportation (rail) in most cities (the race to keep up with the ever-growing population), and the debris and dumping seem unusually haphazard. Something important to point out is that China is truly an ancient country and most of the country has well-built structures from thousands of years ago (picture the Great Wall, hanging temples, etc.) when no plumbing or roads were finished to the likes we have today. Motorized vehicles didn’t exist then and to still be able to walk the streets and touch these walls that people have for thousands of years is mind-blowingly amazing!
Unique experiences
My first experience eating in a small restaurant and enjoying the most delicious rough-chopped chicken dish was truly amazing. That dish remains one of my most memorable and favourite meals in Chinese cuisine, and the experience of eating out for the first time is just as unforgettable.
Firstly, the obvious difference is that table condiments in China are quite unlike what you’d find elsewhere—you won’t find salt, pepper, napkins, or cutlery on the tables. Instead, there will be spicy chilli oil, vinegar, soy sauce, and chopsticks.
Also, most Chinese people do not usually drink water or other beverages while eating. When they do, the water is generally hot—never cold or iced.
The Chinese have a lovely and sociable way of dining called ‘family style’, meaning all dishes are shared among the group. Each person has their own bowl of rice and soup, but everyone picks from the common plates. I actually love this way of sharing a meal with a group.
One big cultural difference that took some getting used to is that people in China often expel or spit out fish bones or rough-chopped meat and poultry bones onto the table, creating a sizeable pile.
Peek-a-boo I see you
At first glance, this might seem unsettling to a foreigner. Although I will say that street cameras are more common in the US and European cities than we often admit—albeit usually more covert—in China their presence is very obvious and standard across all cities. Personally, I feel safe and more secure because of it. I figure it this way: on the off chance that something were to happen to me, someone monitoring those cameras could help or find me. Most foreigners share the same sentiment, feeling very safe on the streets of China thanks to the extensive surveillance.
One thing that still takes some getting used to is the censorship and monitoring of conversations on many tech platforms, such as the widely used WeChat or QQ. Additionally, public information—namely news sources—is government-controlled, so the information we receive may be edited or limited. These circumstances tend to curb the conversations you have with both your foreign and local friends. Chinese people rarely discuss politics or sensitive topics in public, and if they do speak about such matters in private, the conversation is often shallow at best.
It’s not all negative, though, as there are countless other subjects to talk about and plenty of activities to enjoy with friends. Still, as a Western foreigner, adapting to this has taken some effort.
It is important to remember that whenever you are a tourist or a short-term resident in a new country, you are a guest—a visitor. Be mindful of local rules and laws and be polite, which means accepting that some things, though unsettling to you, are simply how they are here; learn to let them go and carry on with your day.
Knowing these obvious differences in how things are done, come prepared to live, experience, and grow both personally and professionally during your time in China. When you look beyond these differences, you will discover the true riches of China and fall in love with her: the genuine and resilient people, the tenacity of her cities in growing while maintaining ancient cultures and traditions, the unique and rich cuisine of every province, the breathtaking beauty of her countryside, and her incredible, ancient history found everywhere.