Just found out we will be going to China (Shanghai) for two years with my hubby's company, leaving in June. Has anyone done this? I would love advice on where to start doing research. I just ordered a book, but was looking for some type of message board (like this one) that I could ask questions on, but everytime I tried to search, I came up with sites that were nothing but ads. Any advice or experience would be really helpful, seems like this is going to be overwhelming!
I know it's not quite the same, but a friend of mine moved from Texas to Korea when her husband was sent over there with the military. If you want, I can see if she can email you.
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OH please don't think of this as overwhelming!!! Think of it as a fabulous adventure!!! I have never been to China but I did live in Bangkok, Thailand for 3 years when my husband was in the Army. I still have SUCH wonderful memories of our time there.
What company does your husband work for ? Is it possible that there are already people stationed there that could provide you with first hand information ? I have a friend online who lives in Thailand and it is very possible that he knows people who live or have lived in China...if you would like to contact me, I would be more than happy to get in touch with him and see if he could find someone who could be of assistant to you.
Please go into this with a positive frame of mind...I saw so many women who were MISERABLE in Thailand but it was because of their negative state of mind. They complained about everything that wasn't just like it was back home. Well, they weren't in the United States...they were in Thailand and they needed to have a more open mind and be willing to love and learn all of the wonderful things of that part of the world!!!
Do you have school age children? It would be such a wonderful learning experience for them!!! What a great adventure you and your family are getting ready to embark on! I am jealous!!!
My friend's husband is an exapt and they've lived all over the world, they are now in Beijing! They love it and is such an amazing adventure for them, I'm often jealous of their travels!
Good luck and have a great time!
Ask your husband about others in his company who have done this. There might be some co-workers who are currently there or some who were there and are back in the US now. I find that those people have the best information since they've done the move with the same company, probably same relocation company, etc. I'm sure they will be more than happy to help you out with information about living arrangements, schools, etc.
I'm an expat myself and I have to say that the move itself is not very stressful since the relo company takes care of all the organizing, looking for accommodation, etc.
Good luck and enjoy this great adventure!
Try www.talesmag.com, lots of good info for ex-pats and others who move overseas. Like someone else said go with an open mind and know that things will be very different than what you are used to. Check out the US Embassy's China website as well there should be a specific one for at least China not sure if there is a separate one for Shanghai. I currently live overseas and have for several years and love it. Such a great experience for everyone.
I heard there are relocation companies that help expats adjusting to the new place, understanding the culture, knowing around etc.. if your hubby's move does not include any relocation package with this kind of service I would definitely look for companies that do. They'll help you with finding doctors that take american insurance, public offices etc.. Good luck, I think it is going to be an experience to not forget: americans in communist china? Interesting...
Try AAA and see if they have anything.........also, see if you can find on the net a tourism site for China......that will help a bit..........I found this one.....to start.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai.htm
I put in Shanghai, China Tourism..............(Google)......
Good Luck.
How exciting! Check out www.expatexchange.com for information from foreigners living there.
My GF lives in Singapore with her hubby, same reason, job transfer. The company gave them a moving package and within it a "guide" to sort of assimilate. She said she also contacted the American embassy and they gave her lots of info. Start taking your chinese language lessons now, so you feel confident when you go next June and take plenty of photos this is going to be a great adventure!
Wish I could connect you to a former student's parent. Their family moved to China for a four year period a while ago. It was a great experience in terms of travel but they missed their family here a lot. Staying in touch via email was a huge help. Keeping an open mind is going to be the key to making this a sucessful experience for your family. Things are very different.
