China Forum

jiangsusaint
Joined 2009
Posts: 1

14 years ago

Life in China

14 years ago

Ni hao!

I am a 29 year old bloke from England thinking about moving to and trying to find a job in China.

I am sure you may have heard this story before but please bear with me!

I visited China for a business conference recently, and I have met my girlfriend there. Now I am seriously thinking that I would like to build my life there. I am currently studying for my MBA (part-time, outside my full-time work as a Business Intelligence Analyst) and I have been thinking about leaving the UK a lot for my long-term future and am sure that better opportunities lie in other countries, but I am not really that excited by the 'normal' destinations for British expats - Australia and Dubai, for instance, would be too hot and I don't like the culture as much as China.

Now I am sure I know what you're thinking - just another romance-struck lao wai who thinks the grass is greener on this side of the world. And I'm sure you'll relieve me of that idea! (and you are right to) But it is something I have given serious consideration to, and now I am embarking on a journey that will hopefully get me there.

My main reason for posting here is just to get any advice I can get on moving to China and finding a decent job.

My girlfriend lives in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, so realistically I would be looking at jobs in Nanjing, Wuxi and Shanghai, and other cities around that reason. I love the area and know the climate is very tolerable for most of the year (although I know Nanjing is one of the three furnaces in the summer).

I have a bachelors degree, a master's degree (Computer Science/Information Systems) and pending an MBA (finishing next March, and I have distinctions in all modules studied so far). I have studied at prestige institutions such as Warwick and Liverpool and am now studying at Chester Business School (not amazing, but convenient when I have to combine study with a full-time job).

I am currently a Business Intelligence Analyst, with a remit that includes consultancy work and project management of large-scale Data Warehouse projects.

I also study Mandarin as much as time and cost (private tuition in this area only unfortunately) allows.

Hopefully this background will allow you to give me some good advice.

Thanks so much if anyone can tell me anything - about job hunting, about the expat experience in China, about the kind of jobs I could realistically expect to get, about anything to do with the culture and the area I am looking to relocate to... If you have an opportunity that is a good fit and would like my cv, even better!

Feichang gan xie!

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in China Guide

Expats living in China find learning Mandarin a big challenge, but most say that learning even a little is very worthwhile. They also agree that the spitting, squat toilets and Chinese culture take some getting used to.

China Forum
Join our China forum to meet other expats and talk about living in China.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in China.

Best Places to Live in China

If you're considering a move to China, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in China in 2023.

Healthcare in China

Expats living in China discuss health insurance and quality of medical care in China. Tip 1: if you're going to the hospital in China (or to a doctor

Cost of Living in China

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in China.

Moving to China Guide

Expats in China offer tips for newcomers and others considering a move to China. Advice what to bring when you move to China, health insurance and healthcare, finding an apartment, expat banking and more.

Real Estate in China

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in China.

Pros & Cons of Living in China

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in China.

Retiring in China

Advice for people retiring in China.

10 Tips for Living in China

If you've recently arrived in China, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in China.

Additional Information:

Visit our China Index for a Full List

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in China by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in China.