Westerners living in China?

Question

I would like the opinion of some westerners living in China. I would like to spend some time living in China, either as an English teacher or just perfecting my Chinese as I believe the best way to learn a language is to be around fluent speakers. What is it like for a westerner to live in China? How are we seen? Are there any prejudices if so please give me an example? How is the day to day life of a westerner living in China different from the locals? And any other information would be appreciated thank you or should I say Xie Xie ^_^.

Answer 1

I have lived in China since 1988, when I came over to teach English.

If you live in a large city like Beijing (where I live) or Shanghai you will not really be able to distinguish it from living in the US. Starbucks, music clubs, cars and cell phones, and enough fluent English speakers so your Chinese will never improve. If you want to see China, and not imitation west, you should find a position in a second-level city. Xi'an is probably OK, though I haven't been there in several years. The smaller and farther from the coast the better.

In the big cities foreigners are so common there is no real reaction anymore. Earlier in Beijing, and travelling in more out-of-the-way places, there are 2 types. One type is incredibly nice to foreigners, possibly for their cachet, possibly for what they can get out of them, or possibly just for politeness. The other type, which you rarely see because they stay away, despises westerners (especially those with Chinese spouses).

So, if you really want to learn Chinese and about China, I suggest finding a family to stay with. Stay away from the big cities, stay away from the foreign communities, stay away from the Chinese who want to work on their English - it is so easy in any of these cases to surround yourself with English speakers and never get the immersion you want. I taught here for 6 months without any improvement in my Chinese, but then over summer travvelled for 3 months by myself by train and bus through isolated areas. I learned more in those 3 months than in the year before.

Answer 2

People keep watching at you...but usually foreigners are regarded by Chinese people.Prepared for culture shocks