[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When I first mentioned to my friends and family that I will go to China for my year abroad, their first reaction was: “China? Why China? What are you going to do there? Why not Australia or America like everyone else? Is China even safe?” I’m sure everyone in the same situation as me, went through the same experience. But the question is why is everyone’s reaction like this about China?

Shouldn’t it actually be the other way around? Considering how rapid Chinas economic growth is, it’s a land full of opportunities! After being here for five months I keep asking myself, “why don’t we have the things they have here in China? Life here is so convenient and a lot of big business ideas could be brought back to Germany.”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Not to mention how attractive your CV will look with ‘Accomplished an Internship in China’ written on it. Behind these written words lays a wide range of professional skills achieved while working in China. Skills such as flexibility, strong mentality, adaptability, high stress tolerance etc. It’s definitely not easy coming to China to work – especially when you’re alone and coming from a Western country. This means that getting through the day can be difficult sometimes.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”62196″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border_circle_2″ border_color=”white” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]However, this shows just how much self-improvement that I’ve gained since working in China, and I’ve kept a few things in mind when things haven’t worked out the way I want them to:

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“Keep trying and don’t give up”

Even if things don’t work out the first time, you learn from what went wrong and you try again and succeed from the second, or even third time.

“Every day is a challenge that you will overcome and grow”

Especially when coming to China for the first time, as many things are different. However, slowly and surely you will figure out the system. Just simple things like learning how to use the metro/bus the taxi, or even ordering food for the first time. It seems hard at first but when you’ve done it, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and one day you may even be as good as the locals!

Coming to China is challenging but coming out of your comfort-zone really isn’t as hard as you think. You just need to take the first step, because after that there is only self-improvement and growth!

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”62199″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border_circle_2″ border_color=”white” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]Besides all of this, I fell in love with Chengdu. It’s a really fun and exciting city to live in. With lovely food and endless options to spend your spare time, even after being here for five months I’m still not tired of seeing parts of the city where elements of traditional and modern China clash together.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”62193″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border_circle_2″ border_color=”white” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]Even though Chengdu is one of the bigger cities, it doesn’t lack nature as the city tries to be a green city with numerous parks. Not to mention how affordable everything is – you could live like a King/Queen here and it’s still cheaper than in most western countries!

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