Expat Advice: Culture Shock in Shekou, China, China

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Shekou, China

What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?

One of the most difficult aspects of Shekou life for expats to adjust to is the busy lifestyle. The pace of life can be particularly frenetic due to the large number of people living and working in the area. In addition, while Shekou is generally very accepting of foreign cultures and customs, navigating the Chinese culture and language can still be a barrier. Another challenge is the consumer culture that has arisen in recent years, as expats might feel pressure to buy the latest designer clothes or newest electronic gadgets in order to fit in. Finally, Shekou is known for its extreme weather, meaning that expats must be prepared for scorching summer heat as well as temperatures that can drop below freezing in the winter.