Introduction

Arriving in a totally different country can be confusing more many people, both culturally and professionally. Some difficulties will be there, but after 3 months in China I can say that the first 2 weeks were the richest weeks of discovery and experience!

The difficulties encountered during this period not only allow us to develop our problem-solving skills but also make the experience even more exciting!

Before You Arrive

Of course, to avoid some problems on your arrival, it’s sensible to take some steps before your departure:

• Check the dates of your visa to buy your plane tickets. You must always return to your country at least 2 days before the end of the visa.
• Tell your bank about your departure dates and your destination so that your card does not get blocked once in China, which could be very inconvenient! In addition, do not forget to consult your bank regarding withdrawal limits and payment fees. In China you do not pay with your credit card everywhere, you often have to withdraw. Note: with a Visa card, you can’t withdraw from all bank ATMs China.
• Purchase a VPN. Without this, many Western sites will no longer be accessible and it is difficult to download a VPN in China (without access to Google & Google play!)
• Download Baidu, Baidu Maps and Baidu Translate.
• Check the weather in your chosen city to know what to pack, to avoid suffering from cold/ heat and having to buy clothes once you arrive!
• Tip! If you want to control your expenses, do not hesitate to download a currency converter on your phone.

Your First Two Weeks in China

Remember that any problems or difficulties you encounter in China will always have a solution!

I will now quote some of the “classic” difficulties that you will encounter during your first 2 weeks in China, and explain how to overcome these in a simple way!

Lost on the way to your internship?

1. On your first trip to work with one of the InternChina members, take pictures of the bus stop / buildings as a landmark.
2. Plan the trip on BaiduMaps. You can find a quick tutorial here!
3. Contact InternChina if you are really lost or unsure about your orientation. We are here to help you!

Not sure what to do in the office? Very busy colleagues?

1. Do some research on the market, the competition and make a list of the new vocabulary you encounter.

   

2. You can then impress your colleagues and managers with your knowledge and show that you are thirsty to learn and be involved!
3. Ask what is expected of you and the tasks you will need perform – the Chinese appreciate and encourage proactivity among their employees

Having problems with the language barrier?

1. Explain that you are a little “rusty” in the morning (no coffee yet!).
2. Ask them to clearly write their request so that you do not forget.

Do not worry, over time you will learn to understand the different accents of your colleagues!

If English isn’t your first language, are you shy because you are not confident?

1. Don’t underestimate your English skills and don’t be discouraged. Your English will gradually improve over time and you will become confident very quickly!
2. Remember, youu will not be the only non native-English speaker on the spot!
3. Feel free to express your lack of confidence if you want to be reassured.
4. Nobody will judge you, on the contrary! People are aware that it is not easy for you to start and that you need time to adapt.

Do you have trouble making yourself understood by taxi drivers?

1. Take BaiduMaps (tutorial!) and ask your colleagues a few well-known places in the city.
2. Add these places to your BaiduMaps favorites and learn to pronounce them in Chinese!

Believe me, this is a good workout! After 2 or 3 tries, the driver will understand you and you will be on your way to independence!

You do not know where to exchange your foreign currency for RMB?

1. Simplest option: do this directly upon your arrival in China (at the airport or port). Currency exchange counters will be present.
2. If not, ask one of the members of InternChina, they will know how to answer you for sure.

Some counters offer cheap exchange rates, it is sometimes better to compare before making a choice. For advice, contact our team!

Want to meet new people?

1. Whether you live in an apartment or a homestay, don’t hesitate to join our dinners on Thursday evening and our activities or trips on weekends. Find out more about our services in Zhuhai here and Qingdao here.
2. The other interns also want to make new friends, so don’t be shy! Add the other IC members on WeChat (Wechat tutorial) and get to know them!
3. The outings between trainees are numerous, you’ll have many opportunities!

What to eat at the restaurant?

Going to a restaurant can be intimidating when the local language is unknown to us and we can not read or speak it! Fortunately, there are some useful tips:

1. If the menu is written exclusively in Chinese and you can not read it, refer to the images to choose your dish.
2. If you want to know what you are eating and are ready to learn some basics, here is a very useful blog on how to read a Chinese menu!

Conclusion

I hope these few tips will help you get a glimpse of what awaits you in China and have reassured you about your potential! With some effort, it’s quite possible to overcome any difficulties you may encounter during your first 2 weeks in China. You will come out of this experience bigger and more independent than ever! And don’t forget, our team is available 24 hours a day to answer any problem!

Ready to embark on the InternChina adventure? Click here!