• Moving half way across the world
    89 replies, posted
Hi FP, I'm a 20 yr old Biritsh citizen, I worked in retail and am looking for a better job like alot of other people in the UK. I have been given an amazing opportunity by my Dad to go and live with him and his girlfriend in China so I can work there and hopefully make a future for myself, It's going to be very different from life in the UK, Limited internet access (still get on FP though!), driving will be different, daily language barriers, travel, immense heat and travelling to Hong Kong every 30 days are just a few things I'm going to have to cope with. I leave this Sunday and am looking forward to a new start. Work wise I'm looking at a part time web development job for a British owned pub, Working with my Dad and Laptop/pc repair for the western community over there. I'm looking forward to all 3 jobs. As for travel the local taxi's are really cheap and I plan on using those if my Dad can't give me a lift, I want to learn to drive there because my UK license isn't valid over there but I should just be able to jump straight into both Chinese theory and practical as I can already drive, no lessons needed as such, I'll learn any extras from my Dad. Food is a problem for me over there because I don't like authentic Chinese food, I'll eat the odd dish here and there but luckily there are alot of western resturaunts too ranging from Brazillian, Italian and English cuisine so when we can't be bothered to cook we will go eat out for cheap. So far I have sold my pc to get myself a laptop I can move around depending on the job I'm doing. My room has been re decorated for my sister to have when I leave and currently I'm packing all my clothes I have started a blog for my friends and family to see how things are going over there, I thought a few people on FP might find it interesting so ask me any questions you might have. If this thread is still up by the time I get over there next week I may start posting some experiences in here. Blog: [URL]http://simonlazell.tumblr.com/[/URL] I'm just getting ready to go to London in an hour. I fly tomorrow night at 9pm! I feel like I am forgetting something though. UPDATE: I'm in Dongguan now, just chilling in the office with 3 lovely ladies, There is a Dunkin Dounuts next door I think I know where I'm going for lunch.
Sounds like an amazing opportunity. All the best to you mate!
good luck man, and for driving, it's really chaotic in china, at least in all the places I've been. I think going around in a bicycle would be better.
Thanks guys I would regret not taking the opportunity, especially in this recession. Yeah I've seen people reverse up the motorway over there, Driving is crazy but personally I think I might have a heat stroke cycling over there. Spoke to my Dad today and currently its 41 degrees C over there.
Best of luck to you. Can you speak any Chinese or are you going to have to start from scratch on that too?
This Thursday I'm leaving to England to study from Malaysia for 2 years, so I guess I have a rough feeling of what you're going through, but I guess the feelings are more intense on your end, since I need a change of scenery anyway.
Funny how alot of people escape China for the same reason. Good luck anyway.
I know someone who also went to China for business. He said it was an amazing experience. Bad thing is, he doesn't want to come back home. He is there for like 5 years now instead of 1/2 a year.
lolsnipracism Have fun learning Chinese x_x
I hope you're not intending to rely on the western community over there and not learn chinese.
I can speak little bits of Chinese, I plan to learn the language from my Dads girlfriend and by interacting with people on a day to day basis. I plan on staying there for years too. I like the country and there is more for me there than there is here. Which is odd, like The Mouse pointed out, as they come here to do the same. Callius I think you might agree it would be ignorant for me to not learn Chinese if i'm moving over there. It's gonna be dfficult but I'm gonna learn.
My brother just moved to China on Sunday to work as an English teacher. Fifteen hour flight from the US and then adjusting to the timezone must of been a pain. Good luck.
You will regret it
[QUOTE=Zaure;31767533]My brother just moved to China on Sunday to work as an English teacher. Fifteen hour flight from the US and then adjusting to the timezone must of been a pain. Good luck.[/QUOTE] The flight I don't mind because I get free beer and movies so I'm sorted. The timezones arent too bad for me either, my tip is not to sleep on the plane unless its around your usual bed time, then sleep again at your usual bedtime in the country your now in, keeps the jetlag away from me. If that last sentance made any sense it might help someone else. [QUOTE=Wnd;31767787]You will regret it[/QUOTE] Why will I regret it?
Best of luck on your future endeavors.
[QUOTE=The mouse;31767172]Funny how alot of people escape China for the same reason. Good luck anyway.[/QUOTE] theres a lot of chinese people who are outiside. My parents for example, they've been living in portugal for around 20 years. But the more recent ones tend to go back to china, because they have more opportunities there Also, I'm moving to germany in a few weeks. It's not like going to China, but hey an asian in germany, I hope neo nazis don't kill me. and i hope i can pick up the language quick
[QUOTE=D3TBS;31769248]theres a lot of chinese people who are outiside. My parents for example, they've been living in portugal for around 20 years. But the more recent ones tend to go back to china, because they have more opportunities there Also, I'm moving to germany in a few weeks. It's not like going to China, but hey an asian in germany, I hope neo nazis don't kill me. and i hope i can pick up the language quick[/QUOTE] you're an asian from portugal that's moving to germany, that's pretty cool
Have fun they have a ton of neat stuff in China, you can buy really cheap fake products, like iPhone's but they function just the same. Enjoy!
[QUOTE=D3TBS;31769248]theres a lot of chinese people who are outiside. My parents for example, they've been living in portugal for around 20 years. But the more recent ones tend to go back to china, because they have more opportunities there Also, I'm moving to germany in a few weeks. It's not like going to China, but hey an asian in germany, I hope neo nazis don't kill me. and i hope i can pick up the language quick[/QUOTE] So much multiculturalism it hurts my head! but good luck with that :) never been to Germany but I bet you will enjoy a new change of location [QUOTE=An Actual Bear;31769778]Have fun they have a ton of neat stuff in China, you can buy really cheap fake products, like iPhone's but they function just the same. Enjoy![/QUOTE] My iPhone is from China.. hence why the app store never worked! But you should see the computer shopping center, its 4 floors of hardware and components, I spent hours in there once, they have everything I need. Thanks for the support guys :)
[QUOTE=SiMoN 23259;31770251]So much multiculturalism it hurts my head! but good luck with that :) never been to Germany but I bet you will enjoy a new change of location My iPhone is from China.. hence why the app store never worked! But you should see the computer shopping center, its 4 floors of hardware and components, I spent hours in there once, they have everything I need. Thanks for the support guys :)[/QUOTE] The best of luck to you!
Two friends of mine just moved to china with their dad. I think its definitely a good idea. World experience is a wonderful thing to have and your experience will change the rest of your life. I myself am moving to israel in 1 month for a year and a half. Good luck on your adventure.
[QUOTE=luverofJ!93;31770750]Two friends of mine just moved to china with their dad. I think its definitely a good idea. World experience is a wonderful thing to have and your experience will change the rest of your life. I myself am moving to israel in 1 month for a year and a half. Good luck on your adventure.[/QUOTE] What takes you to Israel? This experience is invaluable, no matter what I do afterwards just being able to put my time in China on a CV or apply it to something else will be better than any university course. Thank you :D
oh yeah all games there are cracked and almost nobody uses macs
Pretty intense, man. Best of luck! It might be worth it to check out some Rosetta Stone for Chinese.. Wouldn't hurt to get some exposure!
Seeing as everybody is talking about moving. In UK, going to California. excited. But I really hope you do good there. I love Chinese food but I'd probably get fat eating it. I want to travel there one day. The more I hear about it the more I realize how countries still have spheres of influence there. Also heres to hoping their government doesn't screw you over somehow!
[QUOTE=Mr. Sun;31771566]Seeing as everybody is talking about moving. In UK, going to California. excited. But I really hope you do good there. I love Chinese food but I'd probably get fat eating it. I want to travel there one day. The more I hear about it the more I realize how countries still have spheres of influence there. Also heres to hoping their government doesn't screw you over somehow![/QUOTE] Maybe we'll be neighbors :buddy:
I literally just moved from America to Hong Kong, China and I say I made an excellent choice, the experience is amazing. Everyone is nice, the public transportation system is great, ALL of the food is healthy I don't see fat people anymore. Unless you are going to college in your home country, you are always going to come back home and it's going to hold you back from what potential you are able to have. I took advantage of the opportunity of my father relocating for a business and you should too.
I looked at the Rosetta Stone stuff the other week and its £350 so I think I would rather learn for free courtesy of my Dads other half. But your right it was worth a look. I have to visit Hong Kong every 30 days because of the type of visa I have, Maybe we should go for a drink or something next time I'm in Hong Kong Shiftyze. I love Hong Kong, I'm going to be living in Dong Guan in the Guan Dong province. Its all good for me D3tbs, my games are legit and I can use my Steam account over there :)
[QUOTE=SiMoN 23259;31772292]I'm going to be living in Dong Guan in the Guan Dong province[/QUOTE] that made me laugh
[QUOTE=ghosevil;31771459]Pretty intense, man. Best of luck! It might be worth it to check out some Rosetta Stone for Chinese.. Wouldn't hurt to get some exposure![/QUOTE] If you live in another country with a low level of English literacy you pick up the native language QUICK rosseta stone is no match for just getting out and interacting.
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