The nearer it got to the date of flying to China, the spaz excited but dying nervous I was feeling. Ticking off everything I needed for my ‘business trip’, the last thing I did was pack. I didn’t pack until the night before and was panicking in case I would forget something!! I have this thing on my way to airports where I have thoughts that my passport is not with me although I have a vivid memory of putting it in my bag! When everything was finally done - I smacked a kiss on my mother’s cheek, squeezed my boyfriend a goodbye and I was gone. After having been upgraded to First Class, 147 movies, 3 course meal, 78 snacks, a stop in Hong Kong, 52 cans of lemonade, 20 trips to the loo and a second requested blanket later; I arrived in Beijing!
Firstly, a few things about China; 1.351 Billion people are currently living in this country!!! Billion. There are 34 provinces and in 160 cities, the population exceeds 1 million. Since 1979, there has been a 9.14% of growth rate!
Pollution is a bit of a downer for well, pretty much everyone, strangely thanks to the infrequent rain, it’s not too dusty. The sheer density of the city’s population all work together, in better words, conspire to make Chinese cities some of the most polluted on earth, blue sky is only a slight memory and acid rain withers plants but since the Olympics in 2008, the Chinese government began to take pollution seriously and factories were being relocated as well as the elderly and black fume-y buses were scrapped. There are still terrible black fumes from buses today though. One day I forgot to bring my mask out to a trip out so I purchased another mask at a nearby health shop because I’m like that but so contributed to the Chinese economy.
Fuel yourselves with the spirit of revolution and perhaps a slight cultural shock in terms of the language, the people, the food and definitely the weather! For me it was like a re-entry to London as Beijing is so modern, however last year I flew to Thailand and the differences truly amazed me so the experience was the realisation of China winning in every ways. China is very safe in my opinion however the insanity that can be Beijing traffic can be so very dangerous. With cars beeping ‘’save yourselvessss’ and bicycles screaming ‘’kill meewe’’ I wouldn’t recommend driving!
It’s strange to say I live among 1.3 billion people all at once, but on any given rush-hour subway or bus ride, it’s very easy to feel the numbers. On my third day of work, my way home was deadly – catching the packed bus, my feet were off the grounds and I was hanging from someone’s arms. In London, when a bus is full, it drives straight pass you and you would understand why – well usually! NOT in China, they are constantly taking more people in at every stop. From work, its 8 stops until I reach home and every rage in my bones wanted to lash away and break someone’s nose. But I saved face. I did very very well. Or have I said too much?
The weekend before we started work, the girls and I arranged a visit to The Forbidden City and Beihai Park on Saturday and Monday during the Dragon Festival holiday!! Lots of people were taking a million photos and we just posed for them all! It was hilarious though as we didn’t mind although it took up most of our day at first. Sunday was raining with Typhoon-like winds so instead we ate like pigs. The filth.
Here are a few self-advisory tips for wishful visitors to China;
· Push your way onto public transport or wait forever
· When ordering food at a Chinese Restaurant, do only try say as little as possible and slowly! For example;
Don’t: Hiya! Oo not sure if I should get this but can I have your small rice and spicy chicken curry,ah but is it spicy? Oh actually make that thai green curry! No stick that to chicken curry with rice right? Did you write rice down?
Do: Rice. Chicken curry. One.
· People will spit on the pavements regardless of your coming pass so try be quick to jump.
· People love whoever who doesn’t look Chinese here. It could be a different hair colour, skin colour or distinctive style. Just smile and wave.
· People will keep snapping photos at you whether you like it or not or pretend to take photos of their surroundings that they have seen thousands of times before – (really they are taking you). If you pose for the picture, they either give you a thumbs up or smile.
· Zebra crossings mean very little here so think twice before stepping out to cross the road.
· You can and perhaps should bargain in markets. Sellers would quote you up to 50% more than real prices of their products. I advise to quote back 75% less and work from there. It works 93% of the time and saves you a bundle of money.
· If you are a weak chopsticks user – whenever you get one that are already stuck together, leave it be. Just split the sticks slighty and gently with your middle finger and eat. Easy.
3rd of June was my first day of work!7.37am I took my shower and got dressed into my work suit. I combed my hair and I was downstairs for 8.15am! More people were arriving and it was just us looking so cutely dressed ready for our first day at work. Our leaders took a group photo of us all as though we were starting our first day of school. Soon after we were grouped in each van and driven to work. I was so nervous; I began to feel tired and sweaty. Sorry that’s gross but bear in mind the weather was over 30 degrees too so it’s almost appropriate to feel that way! Traffic was insane! People were crossing the road not taking in the fact that cars were literally driving among their very toes. I was a long short drive if that makes any sense at all. Basically it was a long journey but my work place was close by, thankfully. I was first to be dropped off and Sarah Hansen led me into the tall building of Tower 1 and up the lift to floor 4. Informing the receptionists that I was here, ‘a new intern for the month’; the receptionist picked up the phone and spoke to whomever in concern. I was smiling a little too much and only relaxed it when I was told to sit down and wait. Shortly after, Carma Elliot came in and spoke with me. She apologised that she was going to have to dash for a meeting but will return at 11.
My intern was at the Cultural and Education Section at The British Embassy at Tower 1, Floor 4. I was working for the Country Director for the British Council in China and minister of this section – Carma Eliiot. She was also the executive director at China largest international NGO – ‘half the sky foundation’! She was a very busy lady because I only saw her for less than 2 minutes each time I bumped into her. I was scheduled to meet with her at 2.15pm. So while I waited, I was given a welcome pack and did further research about the British Council and their vision.
What I do is a standard 9 - 5 desk based research job; I work on researching suitable and sustainable sponsorship partners for an initiative we have at the department. I research the top 25 UK business companies in China such as HSBC, Royal Dutch Shell etc and their focus on outreach in China. This will feed into a wider piece of work on a sponsorship strategy. I draft a strategic sponsorship plan and aim to get the most for GenUK out of the summit with a wider outreach. About the Generation UK - its aim is to increase the number of opportunities for young British nationals to engage with China through funding work experiences and study opportunities - 80,000 students to study or intern in China by 2020 is their goal! It helps students to gain greater exposure to and understanding of China, putting them in a more competitive position in the job market, both internationally but also to increasingly keep the growing trend of inward investment from China within the UK. Fabulous right?
Within the first hour of my placement, I was in the position to hand over my business card to one of the managing supporters. I tried so hard not to smile so much but it was possibly the best feeling ev-vuuur. Anyhoo, back to business, I was assigned to desk 10 but it is flexible - it is by the window on my right hand side. Around me were Chinese workers who spoke fabulous English and smiled lots too. I was given a tour around the Cultural and Educational department of the British Embassy by Li Hongli who is also a managing supporter of the office ground. Lunch was served and for £1.20 I had Liang pi and Rou jia mo with three other workers of the department. They were lovely! They spoke great English and ask lots of questions but enough not to make me feel uncomfortable! After lunch, I was introduced to every worker of the department who looked at me like I was a newly designed alien put on earth. Some were non-chinese and most were, they welcomed me well! Some have stayed just up to 2 months to 3 years! I had an idea that some did not want my company but I may just be overthinking. I loved my view to where my desk was located; in that moment of gaze I was sent my first meeting this Friday by email, Room Blue 4/F at 3.30pm.
There are rows of desks, each occupied with a computer and a telephone. Each desk is separated by heads, computers were back to back with blue boards to stand between them. Right where I am there are sounds of air gushing out of the conditioner but I feel no air and I don’t feel cold but I don’t feel hot. The windows beside me are large; It doesn’t open which could mean it is entirely just for the view. The two little windows further up top can open a quarter less than it fully and capably can. There is also a locker for each desk and a large work plant at each end of the room; white pots and green hair.
Lunch was over and it was back to the computer. As I swung my chair toward my computer I generally felt like I was a part of the committed and dynamic team. Now I try to take my experiences as a foreigner at face value rather than constantly compare the life in the country to what I’m accustomed to back in London. I’m beginning to have the understanding that cultural differences are much more than just differences in the language, food, appearances, and my surroundings. Your culture reflects very deep perceptions, beliefs, and values that influence your way of life and the way that you view the world too. Opportunities like this helps to discover new strengths and abilities, overcome new challenges, and solve new problems. Coming across situations that are really unfamiliar to you, you begin to learn to adapt and respond in effective ways. I don’t think I realise before that I was on the ride for potential success.
My colleague would make me chrysanthemum flower tea – it literally has flowers floating in my cup, it was nice but not ‘’oo may I have some more’’ nice – it tasted of a summers garden, not that I would know what that tastes like. I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with my boss and made me far more eager to do research even as a career and leave Psychology as my backup, I regret nothing as if it weren’t for my degree, I wouldn’t be where I am! I gave her my lush business card and she emailed me my first task, I was dead excited as it was being in the open office. It feels American. I began working around 2.30 and since planned my research and prepared my sources. I made sure I understood everything I was meant to do and what this was all about.
Day 2
9 to 5
Intense researching
Completed my template and wrote on 5 companies
Finished at 5 and headed home on the 405 bus which took half an hour
Grocery shopping and a quickie to eat
Failed movie night
Day 3
10 to 6
Today was calm. I was fully awake and fit to work. Listening to music helped me throughout the day.
Movie night at mine.
The time goes.
Day 4
10 to 6
Bang on time to work. Started on my project right away while working on a new search
First meeting on draft plan
Lunch with the non-natives
Back to work
I'll be back next Wednesday for a short post!
come back too xx
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