About bchen

Currently Lives:

Beijing, China

Citizen of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

China: intercultural training for china:

Hi I don't know if this info is too late in getting to you, but I figured it was worth a shot. I am an American in Beijing and am also in the relocations field. I first came to China in 1989 and have lived in Asia for 9 years since. I agree with some of the other advice but my experience as a relcoatee as well as the person conduction the orientation has taught me that what you need first and foremost is a good orientation program, not a freebie thrown in by the company that moves your household goods. Schools do have waiting lists, but American passport holders by pass the lines (only behind Embassy employee dependents) since it was originally started as an Embassy school. Fair or not, that is the way it is. A good relo company will help get your applications in for you. I think the housing budget was a little low. Those rates seem more like ones you'd get from a landlord, not a management owned unit. Not that landlord's are bad, but you definitely get what you pay for. You need to decide primarily if you want to live in- city or in the suburbs (Shunyi) and then in a house or in an apartment. Rents can also include management fees, utilities, clubhouse fees and on occasion cleaning service, so find out what is included in that monthly rent. Your wife and child(ren) can adjust well with all the offerings for expats in BJ...sports, cultural activities, etc. Driving is crazy to the uninitiated, and many expats have drivers (some companies provide them). In city residents can get by on taxis, biking and walking, but a car is necessary in Shunyi. Since SARS, many people (local and expat) have bought new cars, and the traffic has gone from bad to worse. If you have specific questions, email me at bchen715@yahoo.com and I'll be glad to give you some insight to expat life in BJ, as an American and mother.

China: penpal:

Hi We are also an American family, but living in Beijing. To enhance our expat experience, we decided to enroll our daughters in local Chinese schools two years ago. My oldest daughter is 10 1/2 and in grade 4. She is always looking for penpals and can provide some true insight to the life of the typical chinese pre-teen, and without a language barrier! You can email her via me (initailly, until I am comfortable with her using her own email for this type of correspondence) at bchen715@yahoo.com Hope this helps Barbara

China: Travel Agent - Beijing:

Hi Joyce at kingdom travel can speak excellent english and has done some trips for me. Her service aren't the cheapest, and there is a surcharge to use credit cards (4%) Most places in China that accept credit cards will pass the charge along to you. I have gone straight to the airlines on more thna one occassion becasue there ahve been some good deals and they don't charge the 4% for credit card use. Hope this helps Barbara

United Arab Emirates: Looking for an expat shopper:

Hi I am an American expat in China who has been to the UAE and loved it. I bought soem Vaseline Heal Guard on my trip and have not been able to find it in the US or China or any of my stops in between. This is a common product in Dubai, and the only thing that has worked on my cracked heels. The foot cream is ina 5" tube with beige and blue writing in arabic and english. It simply says Vaseline Heal guard with a pciture of a heal and costs about 4$US per tube. I am looking for someone to do one of the following: a you buy about 10 tubes of it and mail it to me in China. In return I will send you a check from a NYC, USA bank for the amount or wire money into your account. b: you buy about 10 tubes of it and send to me in China and will offer to send you something you can't get locally that maybe I can and ship it to you c: you buy 10 tubes of the cream and send to me and I will send you something Chinese of equal value. This is no scam , I am not a freak, I just want to get my foot cream and I have no wasta in the UAE! thanks, barbara

Burma: travel in Feb 2003:

Hi I am an american expat in China looking to visit Burma in Feb2003. Are there other expats out there who can provide solid advice on safety, costs, "don't miss" sites and pertinent info ? you can also emailme at bchen715@yahoo.com

Date Joined:

11/23/2002

Total Posts:

5

Posts/Day:

0.00