AIESEC in Mainland of China Life In China
AIESEC in Mainland of China
LifeIn China
Living China is not only one of the biggest countries in the world but also one of the richest, not just in monetary terms but also in its people and culture. The country is ever evolving and major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou are well developed with good infrastructure. The official Language is Mandarin but there are many local dialects as well as other languages such as Cantonese and English. What you can expect from China: • • • • • • •
Overall the people are very friendly and willing to help even with a language barrier. Delicious food and drink.(Everyone should try Bubble Tea!) Opportunities to visit some of the world’s greatest sights, such as; The Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City and the Terracotta Warriors. A good insight into the Chinese culture. Wonderful and inspiring shopping plazas and street markets which sell many different items. Karaoke! KTV is a very popular past time not just in china but across Asia and it is highly recommended that you give it a try! Depending on the time of year that you are in China you may have the chance to experience the holiday festivals such as the Dragon Boat Festival. (May/June)
What you can’t expect • • • • • • •
Although in major cities there are English signs do not expect everyone to speak it. Beggars are common on the streets, and subway. Although China is becoming more and more modern there is still a lack of hygiene amongst the general public. Smoking is common in restaurants and certain other public places. The pedestrian does not have right of way, traffic can be chaotic and so one must be careful when crossing the roads, especially in major cities. Living conditions aren’t quite the same as fully developed countries and so it is advisable that you bear this in mind. For everything to go perfect, at some point there may be a hardship whether it be culture shock or an incident.
Day to Day Life It may be that you encounter a lot of different aspects which are different to your own culture, but you should bear in mind that everyone and everywhere is different. In that case you should pay attention to:
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It is common for people to spit on the ground. At peak times public transport can be extremely crowded, so take care not only of yourself but also of your belongings. Tap water is not drinkable and so either boil it first or drink bottled water. Don’t leave a gap in a queue as people will push in in front, for example at the bus station or train station. People tend to talk loudly especially when on the phone. One should take caution when speaking abouttopics such as governmentsor politics as this is a very sensitive issue in China and saying the wrong thing could get you in trouble, especially in certain areas such as in Beijing. Chinese people also tend to answer their phone even when in the middle of a conversation and many do not realise that in some cultures this is perceived as rude. Don’t be offended if people ask personal details such as age or marital status as this is quite common in Asian cultures. In crowded areas such as streets, people tend to bump into one another and they don’t apologise for it as it is seen as normal, therefore don’t treat it as a big thing as they don’t mean to invade your personal space. Also, in China many people do not express their affection in public so do not be adverse to receiving strange looks (especially by older people) if you hug or kiss a friend in public.
Make the most of it! The best advice is just to try and embrace the culture as much as possible. At certain times you may find yourself in hardships, but if you have the attitude of ‘I came here to have a good time’ then you can overcome any obstacles! Another good motivator is to remember why you wanted to come to China in the first place e.g., to make new friends, to develop a global mind-‐set, increase cultural awareness, enhance communication and leadership skills etc.