Living in China (Zhengzhou) – Interview With an Expat

What is it like to live in China?

China is an intriguing country and an increasingly popular destination for people to travel to or to move to.

That’s why I loved doing this interview to find out more about what moving to and living in China is really like.

In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips for other (future) expats, and information about the city, town, or country the expat now calls home.

Expat Life in China

Name: Rebecca Chun
Home town: Los Angeles, California

Why Did You Move to China?

“Moving to China was an unexpected surprise for me.

After living and teaching English in South Korea for 2 years, I moved back to the USA trying to figure out what I wanted to do next with my life.

Fortunately, the travel bug bit me and I was longing to travel and explore the world again.

I was ready to go back out to the world, and luckily, a professor of mine introduced me to a teaching position in China. I packed my bags, flew to China, and after a year decided to sign another contract to stay for another year.”

What Do You Like About Living in China?

“I love the people, the food, and the culture.

China is such a big country that every city has something unique to offer.

Whether it’s their own signature dish, their own dialect, their own diverse demographic, or their own history, there’s something special in every part of China.

I’ve been traveling around the country for two years and I still don’t feel like I’ve experienced enough.”

Also Read: an interview about living in Shanghai and about living in Hong Kong

What Do You Dislike About Living in China?

“In any new country you move to, you will always experience some level of culture shock. It’s normal; so if it happens to you, don’t worry. It happens to all of us.

When I first started living in China, the hardest thing for me to adjust to was the lack of personal space. Growing up in the US, it is normal to give people a lot of personal space. In China, however, it is normal to be in someone else’s space.

For example, when you’re waiting in line, expect other people to get really close and personal.”

What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Zhengzhou?

“Because of my job, teaching English to college students, I live in Zhengzhou, a college town with thousands of college students.

When I stay in my city for the weekend, I love hanging out with my students because they are always introducing me to something new about their culture or something in the area.”

What Is the Expat Community Like in Zhengzhou?

“In almost any city you visit in China there is an expat community.

In Zhengzhou, we have a very diverse expat community of people from the US, Europe, India, and so on.

It’s great because having an expat community means I can converse in my first language, eat food I miss from home, and find a community to support and be supported while living in a foreign country.

Zhengzhou’s expat community is smaller compared to cities like Beijing or Shanghai, but it’s growing.

Most expats here are teachers, business professionals, or students. The city isn’t a major international hub, so you won’t find as many Western conveniences, but there are still foreign restaurants, international supermarkets, and a few expat-friendly bars.

Social life often revolves around local expat groups, WeChat communities, and international schools.”

Is Zhenzhou Safe as a Place to Live?

”Zhengzhou is generally a safe city to live in. Like most places in China, violent crime is rare, and the city feels secure, even at night.

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, can happen in crowded areas like train stations and markets, but it’s not a major issue if you stay aware of your surroundings.

The biggest safety concerns tend to be related to traffic—drivers can be unpredictable, and crossing the street requires some confidence!

Air pollution is another factor to consider, especially during winter when smog levels can be high.”

Any Tips for Moving to and Living in China?

“Don’t pack too much when you move to China.

You can buy almost ANYTHING on a website called Taobao. It’s like the Amazon of China, but with a wider variety of items.”

Also Read: Things You Should Consider Before Moving to Another Country

Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in China?

“When moving to a foreign country, it’s important to find a good community. I met a lot of great friends using apps on my phone. I guess you can say it’s the new way of meeting people.

Some of my favorites are Couchsurfing, Meetup, and different groups on Facebook.

There are countless hangouts and events happening in different cities in China. And that makes building a life in China a lot easier!”

Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in China?

“Even though I’ve been living in China for more than two years now, I still feel like I haven’t seen everything I want to.

China is such a beautiful country with so many different cultures within the country.

If you come to China, make sure you visit Xi’an (map) and Guilin (map). These are two of my favorite cities in China.”

Also Read: Visiting Shanghai – A Complete Travel Guide

About Rebecca – An Expat Living in Zhengzhou, China

Rebecca, also known as Reb, has traveled to over 25 countries and lived in 4.

Currently, she is teaching English in China to college students and travels at every opportunity she gets.

Whether it’s sleeping on the Great Wall of China or climbing the most dangerous mountain in Huashan, you can always find an adventure with her.

Also Read: 6 Reasons Why Moving Abroad is Sucha a Valuable Experience

About Zhengzhou

Zhengzhou is the capital of Henan Province in east-central China.

The city lies on the southern bank of the Yellow River, and is one of the Eight Great Ancient Capitals of China.

Sometimes it is called the Green City, for the number of trees it has, or rather had.

The city has a population of over 6 million inhabitants and is growing rapidly. Greater Zhengzhou was named as one of the 13 emerging megacities or megalopolises in China.

Zhengzhou is one of the economically most important cities in inland China.

It is located in one of the most populous areas in the world and has a strategic location within China’s railway, road, and aviation transport networks. Because of this Zhengzhou is increasingly attracting domestic and international investment as well as migrants from other areas, transforming the city into one of the largest economic centers in China.

To travelers, Zhengzhou is a convenient starting point to explore a series of Chinese cultural sites such as Kaifeng, Luoyang, and Shaolin Temple.

Are You Thinking About Teaching English Abroad?

Tip: The TEFL Academy offers online TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses and paid internships. Plus they help you find a job teaching English not just in China but also in the rest of Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and other destinations.

Also Read:

• Living in Beijing as an Expat
• Interview With an Expat About Living in Shanghai, China
• Interview With an Expat About Living in Hong Kong
• Things to Know Before Moving to Hong Kong
• 6 Reasons Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience
• What It’s Like to Live in Mongolia as an Expat

 

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