AbbieMoving to China from the UK was a bold move considering 1. I had never lived by myself before 2. I wasn’t a teacher but was going to teach English and 3. I’d basically picked the country most different to the UK. However, I am impulsive and do love a challenge that gets me out of my comfort zone. I have only been in China for a short time, but already there are so many things I wish I had known before I arrived. From navigating language barriers to dealing with app culture, here are 10 lessons I’ve learned the hard way (so you don’t have to).
1. The language barrier is real
I was slightly naïve to the fact that not many people actually speak English here. Although I was really looking forward to learning Mandarin, I wish I had started sooner as it would have prevented a lot of the challenges I faced when I first arrived (exiting the airport and realising you can’t get a taxi without Alipay/WeChat but you can’t use Alipay/WeChat without a mobile number, no SIM card shops open and no ATMs working in the airport). Luckily, I had the address in Chinese and I was with an agency who paid for the taxi when I couldn’t. The language barrier can be frustrating, but it’s also an opportunity to learn and grow. I am really enjoying learning Mandarin whilst being exposed to the language. Google Translate (especially the camera feature) has been a lifesaver, but I wish I’d known how essential it would be before I got here. I would recommend Duolingo and Pimsleur to learn. Duolingo is free and the lessons are quick and engaging. You have to pay for Pimsleur but I personally think it’s worth it. The lessons are 30 minutes long but they focus on proper pronunication and listening to conversations.
2. Patience is key
Getting settled takes time. Whether it’s waiting for a SIM card, setting up a bank account or figuring out the metro system, everything seems to take longer than expected. I was lucky to have an agency supporting me with all of this and would highly recommend ensuring you have a local to support you with the process too. Some processes are more complicated than I anticipated (and you’ll need local help to navigate them), but learning to stay patient has been an essential part of the experience. With that being said, not everything moves slowly. In fact, some things move at lightning speed – like starting work 4 days after arriving in China. It’s a rollercoaster of delays and sudden urgency and it’s giving whiplash. Also, communication here works very differently than in the UK. I’d been warned, but didn’t expect it to be so obvious in day-to-day life. Let’s just say my time working with a teaching placement agency was a crash course in cultural differences and miscommunications.
3. Apps are everything
If you don’t have WeChat or Alipay, you’re going to struggle. These apps are the heart of life in China. They’re used for everything, from paying for meals to messaging friends and ordering taxis. I wish I had known just how integrated these apps are into daily life here, and how essential it is to learn how to use them quickly. I would strongly recommend you download them and link your bank cards prior to arriving in China, and get a SIM card as soon as possible so you can link your mobile number. My UK SIM card did not work in China, the airport ATMs weren’t working and neither was the airport WIFI, so I would have been completely stuck if I didn’t have a local supporting me. I will be posting detailed information about both apps so you can get familiar with them, but for now, just make sure you bring cash with you and an international card to withdraw money with no fees (I use Starling).
4. DiDi is great, but watch out for location issues
Didi is China’s Uber. I generally order DiDi’s through the app in Alipay. The app can sometimes place your pickup spot in a different location than you’re actually at. Double-check the location as you may need to walk a few minutes in some cases for it to find you. It’s easy to cancel though if you find you’ve made a mistake with the location. Also, you can send a standard message to the driver to say that your GPS is the correct place you need picking up from, to avoid any confusion. Also, make sure you wear a seatbelt! My local friend was fined 200RMB when the police stopped the vehicle and saw him without one on. Honestly though, with the way some of them drive I don’t know how people dare go without!
5. It’s not as ‘international’ as you might expect
I expected more English signs and an overall international vibe, especially in Shenzhen where I first landed. But while some cities are super modern, a lot of things still feel very local (I’m not complaining, I was just surprised!) English signage is not as common as you might expect, so you really have to rely on your tech tools to navigate (Google Translate has basically become my new best friend). That said, I actually love it. Since moving to Guangzhou, where my apartment complex and the surrounding area are mostly locals, it’s been great to step outside and wander to the little fresh fruit and veg shops and markets, getting a glimpse of real local life. It’s the full experience! Plus, it’s definitely pushing me to improve my Mandarin so I can do more than just point and hope for the best.
6. Do more than just a TEFL diploma
When I first enrolled in a TEFL diploma, I planned to teach online. But once I realised you could teach English anywhere with a TEFL and a Bachelor’s, I thought, why not? I love travelling and exploring new cultures.
That said, I’d recommend researching the local teaching methods—especially in China. I had no idea about the different curriculums, especially in kindergartens. My first school used the IB curriculum, which meant creating lessons (English, Maths, Art, Science) from scratch around a theme, with no training or support from the agency. It didn’t feel right, so I left. After all, I came to teach English and that’s definitely not what I had in mind. After that, I always made sure to ask about the curriculum before accepting interviews and did my research upfront.
7. It can take time to connect
I arrived in China just before New Year’s Eve, with no job yet and no friends. Still, I decided to dress up and do my makeup, hoping to go to a bar alone and make some new friends, like I would when solo travelling. I picked a Western bar, hoping to meet English-speaking expats, but it was packed, and the crowd made me uncomfortable. I ended up going home, but I’m glad I gave it a try. Since then, making new friends has been a challenge. I’m lucky to work with other foreign teachers, so I have them to hang out with outside of work, but finding new people to connect with is tough. Luckily, there are plenty of WeChat groups for expats, which can be a good way to meet others. You just have to go looking, and once you connect with one person, it pretty much snowballs from there.
8. Expect speedy, convenient and budget-friendly delivery
While I enjoy walking to do my weekly food shop, sometimes I just need to save time. I can order groceries from the same store with a small delivery fee and have them at my door in under 30 minutes. I use WeChat to order, which has a translation feature and pictures to help with the items, but I’ve found that pasting the Chinese version from Google Translate and searching it that way is the most efficient. It’s much quicker than wandering around a store hunting for everything. Plus, you can order from multiple stores if one doesn’t have what you need. For everything else, TaoBao is the go-to site for clothes, snacks (both Chinese and Western), household items, and more. It even has a camera feature in the search bar where you can upload a photo, and it’ll find the exact item or something similar. This has been a lifesaver when I’ve been on the hunt for things from home, like HP sauce or Mitchum deodorant! Most stores on Taobao deliver within 2-5 days and the return process is super easy. I quickly realised I did not have to pack so much stuff to move here as you can get anything you need.
9. You will get stared at, but it’s harmless
Before I moved to China, I had read that foreigners might get some extra attention. When I was in Shenzhen, I did notice a few people glancing at me, but it wasn’t frequent, and it didn’t bother me much. However, since moving to Guangzhou, I’ve found it a bit harder to get used to. I live in a lovely area surrounded by locals, but if I walk just 20 minutes, I’ll come across other foreigners. While I love living here, I’ve noticed that a lot of people do stare as they walk by, which can make me feel a bit uncomfortable, especially when I’m just trying to enjoy a peaceful walk. I had an experience at the gym recently where a guy started filming, and after I made eye contact, he walked off, but then he came back and tried to sneak a shot while I was mid-set. Part of me understands – it must be a bit surprising to see foreigners, especially since I didn’t see many when I first arrived. But after living here for a while, it feels like I should be seeing more by now! Side note – I do have fair hair and blue eyes.
10. Work culture can be very different (but adaptable)
You might find that workplace culture in China is different from what you’re used to. Expect a more hierarchical structure, less direct communication, and sometimes longer hours than you’d anticipate. While it can be an adjustment, many of these cultural differences are not meant to be disrespectful; it’s just part of how things are done here. Learning to navigate the work environment can be challenging at first, but understanding and adapting to it will make your experience smoother.