Mint Mocha Musings

The hotelier's wife: an expat affair around the globe

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Expat in a New Country? My Top Ten Survival Tips

November 5, 2014 by Nicole Webb

Latest Column for Expat Focus….

Muslim Quarter in Xian China Expats

I’ve been living in the middle of China for almost two months now.

It’s my second expat posting, so while I’m not a newbie to “expat life”, having bandied about the term ‘culture shock’ on this column many times, I’ve got to say, in all honesty I had rather naively forgotten how confronting moving to a new country could be.

Arriving in Xi’an, North West China, I knew no one – not a single soul, bar my husband and 3 year old daughter. We arrived at the Westin Hotel – our new home, in the middle of a grey, wet night.

A short flight from Hong Kong, but I went from living next door to the world’s 7th tallest skyscraper on the 43rd floor to a five story hotel that stands opposite a 1300 year old wild goose pagoda. Chalk and cheese to say the least!

It’s fair to say, my first week had me lost in a blur of speechlessness, afraid to breathe for fear of being overwhelmed by the rawness of such a contrasting culture.

China is a place where road rules seem non existent — cars, busses, bikes and pedestrians all competing for the same spot with the same vigor, their hands heavy on the horn but not the break. Someone once said, “In China, whatever’s bigger, gets right of way!” As a pedestrian, crossing the road is taking your life in your own hands. Undecipherable Chinese characters flash vibrantly on neon-lit signs from the side of buildings, strange looking three-wheeler motorbikes rattle on by, loaded up with precariously balanced goods. Cars mount footpaths for faster access….most toilets are holes in the ground and spoken English is minimal.

There is a distinct lump in my throat and that sinking feeling lingers in the pit of my stomach as I desperately try to keep my head above water and tear free, reminding myself this is all part of the ‘journey’. To read more click here…to Expat Focus

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Nicole Webb

Nicole is a journalist and writer (former News Reader with Sky News Australia) who, back in 2010, took a leap of faith and embarked on a journey to the city that never sleeps, Hong Kong! Fast forward four years, and Nicole, her hotelier husband and toddler stepped things up a notch and moved to Central China, where they lived in Xi'an for 2.5 years. Back in Sydney after a whirlwind adventure, Nicole continues her musings! Check out Mint Mocha Musings for plenty of intriguing, humorous and uplifting tales from her expat life in Asia so far. You can also find her on Twitter: @nicoledwebb. and Instagram at Mint Mocha Musings.
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Latest posts by Nicole Webb (see all)

  • China Travel: Six Important Things to Know Before You Go. - November 19, 2019
  • Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby… - October 16, 2019
  • Views from Both Sides of the Border: Hong Kong and China, the People’s Voice. - August 20, 2019

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Filed Under: Mint Mocha Musings Tagged With: Expat in Xian, expat life, Expat Living in China, Expat Survival, Life in a foreign country, Tips for Foreigners

Comments

  1. Ersatz Expat says

    November 5, 2014 at 11:13 pm

    It hits you like a train doesn’t it. I am on posting no 10 or 11 (have lost count and we did go back to the same country a few times) and I still find myself reeling in a new posting. Takes some time to get used to the new life.
    Ersatz Expat recently posted…Lambir Hills National ParkMy Profile

Trackbacks

  1. Characteristics of an expat says:
    November 16, 2014 at 6:35 am

    […] Expat in a New Country? My Top Ten Survival Tips […]

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Expats – Need to Transfer Money Home?

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About

Hey there! Nice to see you. I'm Nicole - a former News Reader with Sky News Australia turned Expat, Writer and Mum in Hong Kong, before heading to deepest, darkest China and then back again to Sydney. What a journey!
Jump on board and enjoy the musings with with me, my hotelier husband and hyped up blondie. Read More…

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