Culture

It's more than a buzz-word. Culture affects the way people think, live, act and react.

Check out some resources (non-affiliated) that will help you start to understand the environment you will work and live!

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Great short Chinese history summary

Expat tips for navigating modern-day culture

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Diving deeper in preparation as an Expat

Language

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Start to familiarize yourself with the language (non-affiliated links)

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• Tones

LTL-chengdu.com​​​

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• Quick Phrases

​https://kicochinese.com/​​

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• Apps:

Language learning:
Hello Chinese, Duolingo

Translators:
Microsoft Translator, Baidu Translate
 

Dictionary:

Pleco

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• Videos

Yo-yo Chinese

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Finances

Prepare financially before your travel. Financial planning may vary from person to person, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't plan. Here are some topics you may want to consider to do some research prior to moving to China: 

 

Make an ideal budget range

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Check out Cost of Living
 

Is International Insurance if for you?

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International Banking, fees & rates

What's available here?

​Get an idea of what to expect when you get here.

 

On Campus:

McDonalds

Starbucks

Pizza Hut

Haagen-Daaz cart

Dairy Queen

Small - Medium size Grocery Stores
Gyms
Swimming Pool
Golf Driving Range

Bowling Alley

Convenient Stores

Coffee Stands/shops

Fastfood

Clothing boutiques

Flower shops

Barber shops

Milktea boutiques
Coffee boutiques

Gift shops

Copier boutiques

Stationery boutiques

Sport courts

Mini-parks

Mini arcade

Picturesque gardens

Scooter rentals (in campus)

Many Chinese food spots & courts

And more

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Close by:

Small to Large Grocery Stores
Convenient Stores

Coffee shops
Restaurants

Pharmacies

Hospital

Fruit/Vege shops

Fastfood

"Foot Carts" mini Night Market

Food-Restaurant Street/Row

Medium Parks

Small City Squares

Small Malls

River

Driving Distance
Affordable Car-hailing (about 1-2 yuan per mile)

International Airport (20-40 min)

Large Parks (15-30 min)

Larger malls (10-15 min)

Longhu district (25-40 min)
Zhenghzhou center city (45 - 65 min)


Check out our Notion Resource page, here for more information​

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​Apple Maps Guides
Xinzheng
Zhengzhou

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Does new food get old?
 

New food is exciting, but its funny what you will crave when living abroad.

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After the excitement of trying new foods has worn off, you may have cravings that are more familiar to you.

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You will be able to find some diverse food in the "big city," Zhengzhou, but you may not make it there as often as you would like.

 

Think about packing some seasonings or sauces that may hit the "homesick" food cravings.

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Some teachers will consider cooking, because it will help them adjust, explore healthy ways of eating, or perhaps, hit that spot that yearns for home-cooking.

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You may want to consider investing in some cooking appliances (which is very affordable here in China.

What to Pack? What not to.

Helping you to prioritize your packing strategy.

List of what to bring:

• Good quality technology (phone, laptop, tablet) - these will be your lifesavers

• Comfortable shoes

• A couple of converter head-plugs

• Some clothes for all seasons - (If you are considered a Western size small or Medium, it can be easier to find clothes & shoes your size)

• Hand Sanitizer

• Travel TP packs

• Spices, seasonings, sauces
  (you think you will miss)

• Specialized meds, supplements (Meds that have been on the market for a while can be prescribed here and are often affordable. Note: over-the-counter drug may be lesser in potency here.)

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Click here to download the complete packing list guide!

 

After Arrival:

TP

Trashbags

Plate

Cup

Utensils

Water

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*Note: Online shopping is extremely affordable. The catch? You will need to have your Wechat/Alipay set up to link to approved creditcards or Chinese bank account, and your long-term Chinese phone number set-up.

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Taobao.com

PInduoduo

JD.com

How to prepare professionally?

​(Coming soon...)
 

How is the workplace different from my country?

TESOL/TEFL tips

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Chinese students


 

Technology: It will be a bigger part of your life

When you no longer carry a wallet or purse, but only your phone...Good quality technology will help you go further quicker.

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Phone 

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Laptop

Translation App

 

VPN - essential to communicate back home 

Wechat Pay / Alipay : Credit card - linking 

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Departments use App platforms for work

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Legal  transfer  
-Bank (takes long processes)

-Wise app (need tax verification)​

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Self Reflection

(Coming Soon...)​

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Self-care

Research and know when to ask for help
 

Observe when its culture, and when its personal