One of my main concerns as a black man moving to China was its race relations. Coming from the States, I didn’t want to enter a foreign nation that treated those who look like even just as bad if not worse than in the States.
I’ve been in China for 7 months and my experience has had some low points but the highs are a lot more common.
Pros:
Safety: I had a discussion with one of my friends whose from NYC and we both had the same feeling. I’m from Detroit by way of Chicago. These urban communities are notorious for gang, gun, and violent crimes. Even the safe areas have some sort of danger element. Being in China, I never fear that my life is in danger. Yes, pick pocketing does occur and I do hear about the occasional fight or confrontation but nothing as extreme as 10+ people dying over the weekend or shootout in school zones. You never realized that amount of stress you carry until it’s lifted, and I feel so light without always concerning for my life.
The cost of living is noticeable lower. I was staying in an apartment on the Northside of Chicago for $850 a month which is about 5200 RMB. Below is a chart comparing the cost of living for Chicago and Shanghai.
Meeting new people. You meant a wide range of people.It’s very rewarding to meet people from completely different backgrounds and cultures. Usually when you go out to meet people, you may meet someone whose from a different state but you’re both American. But in Shanghai, you’ll meet people from all over the world i.g. South Africa, The United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, New York City.
Traveling is a lot easier. It’s expensive enough traveling from Detroit to California, let alone to Europe or Asia. Recently, I traveled to Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Macau for a week. It cost a little over $1000 USD and that’s all inclusive. Trips to nearby countries including Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and more can be very affordable.
Standing out as a foreigner – Everybody will notice you are different, you can’t avoid it.
Education and healthcare is cheaper. When I say cheaper, I mean A LOT cheaper. I have a minor surgery for almost $700 USD, a dental cleaning for $50, and going to study Chinese Full-time at Donghua University for $3000 USD for a year. Imagine those prices in the US, yeah right!
Cons:
The language barrier – Chinese is a very difficult language especially for Native English speakers. It’s doesn’t have an alphabet and your tones can determine two completely different words. Trust me, it will be very frustrating at times when you can’t communicate the smallest and simplest of things.
Standing out as a foreigner. People will stare out of curiosity, shock, ignorance, and all the above. Most days the staring doesn’t bother me, but their will be days when you don’t want someone’s eyes locked on you.
Not knowing the law and how the justice system works can never be anything good. God forbid you get into a situation where you are dealing with cops or someone with authority, and you have no idea of how to go about the situation. As a foreigner, you will never win. You will will be fined, jailed, and then deported if they wanted. Just be aware.
With the list above, the ‘Pros’ outweigh the ‘Cons’, easily. Living in China is different but more than anything, rewarding. I do not know how long I will be here but as I learn more about the culture, I am learning more about myself. Happy travels.
Guest Contributor:
