For many in the West, China is a land of mystery. For others, given its status as a touted economic superpower and its burgeoning cultural climate, it's a land of promise. China has been the centre of much media attention, from the current Shanghai Expo and 2008's massive Olympics, through to touching stories, and reports on disasters and scandals. We thought that it would be worth finding what China means to the individuals who come here to work, study, and live, by asking China expats what their China aspirations were before coming to the Middle Kingdom, and how they feel their stay here has influenced and shaped their long term objectives.    

Gareth, 31, USA
Gareth is a denizen of Beijing's Wudaokou student district. With a ponytail and artistic style, a pleasant if not slightly intense demeanor, he is one of the crowd drawn to china by its 5000 years of culture.

"I hoped to immerse myself in a foreign art scene; I thought that studying in China would be cheaper and more interesting than any colleges in America. I have been learning screen printing, Japanese wood cuts and traditional Chinese ink painting alongside doing English teaching. The teachers here are knowledgeable and friendly."

"The reality of living in China is that I have changed my perception of success; I view success from the standpoint of cross cultural exchange. I have taken away with me more than just my studies in art. When I leave Beijing I will have a deep cultural understanding and a greater appreciation of the transience and fast pace of life in modern China. I now hope to teach Chinese ink painting back in the States, it has become an integral part of my life and a skill-set I want to share."

Sven, 23, Sweden
Sven is a towering, fair haired young Swedish man with an easy charm and outgoing personality. He has been in China just under 3 months.

"I previously came here to visit my sister whilst she was studying at BLCU, staying for only three weeks. I felt like that I had my eyes opened to the world; I had previously only traveled in Europe. I have been here for only a few months since I graduated in June. My aspirations are to become fluent in Chinese and get a position in a multinational like IBM or Siemens. After two months I found that there are too many distractions. Even though I have had a Chinese girlfriend my Chinese is taking off very slowly. I think I will have to spend more time in the study room and less at Propaganda with my Korean and African mates if I am to reach my goal.'

Phoebe Wilcox, 25, England
Phoebe is quietly spoken British girl. She is very amiable and has a gentle, bespectacled air about her.

"My best friend in England got me a job at the kindergarten where she was working. Previously I worked in an office in Milton Keynes in the UK doing administrative work. I really didn't know what to expect when I came, I find the Chinese children so lovely and inquisitive. I didn't read much about China before I stepped onto the plane, because I wanted it to be a great adventure, without preconceived notions."

"I feel that I have adapted well to living in China, my mum and dad still can't believe I am living here. Now I am here, I see more and more opportunities every day. I recently got involved in doing some voluntary work for an NGO which is a charity for migrant workers. I feel like I am giving back to the world around me. I would like to use my experiences in China as a springboard for doing a master's in international development. Living in China really gave me direction in life."

Robert, 43, USA
"When I came to China it seemed like a chance for new beginnings after a painful divorce. I previously served in the military and then I became a jack of all trades, ran a bar – even construction work, when times were hard. I had a small travel company which went bankrupt not long after 9-11."

"Life in Bejing is not always easy when you don't speak the language. However, I know how to get my point across and lots of Chinese people have been very kind to me."

"My main aspirations are my recent business plans and I don't talk about those in case things don't work out. I am also trying to find Mrs. Right, as I have found that I don't think I could go back to America where the women are not pretty, slim and submissive like they are here."
 

Related Links
Our Favorite Things About Living in China (Part 1)
Seven Reasons to Stay in China
3 Things I Misunderstood About Chinese People Before I Came to China

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Keywords: china aspirations china expat experience dreams of china what I used to think about china Newcomers dreams of china