China has become a very popular destination for Americans looking for new opportunities. Whether it is getting transferred by a job, or moving there to create some business opportunities, there are a lot of good reasons to live and work in China. 

Anyplace in Asia can be quite a culture shock for any Westerner. It can be quite a challenge as well as an adventure. If you are considering a move to China you will need to be prepared for a lot of differences and obstacles to overcome. 

In this article, we will go over what it is really like to work and live in China. 

Healthcare

There is a good public healthcare system in place in China for citizens and native Chinese. In many cases, it is not available for foreign residents but that does depend on the region. Your company is likely to pay for a private insurance scheme for you, however.

If you are not moving to China with a company and plan to be on your own then you will need health insurance in China with an international provider. This will cover all of your needs while there and is affordable. 

You’ll experience a very high level of care unless you find yourself in a remote area with a lack of infrastructure. Everywhere else, the healthcare quality is excellent. 

Work-life in China

As you might have guessed, the work culture in China is not very similar to what you would expect in the West. Not only are there cultural differences, but the way they regard work can be confusing to Westerners. 

It starts with a very strict hierarchy that is not very flexible. There is not an atmosphere of open-door policies in which you can go to your superiors with concerns or ideas. This could be an even bigger divide if the person is foreign. 

The hours are also very long as there is usually a break of 90 minutes during lunchtime. This often leads to working into the night to compensate. Annual leave and vacation policies are not mandated by the government so some employers will only give up to a week for vacation. 

Social customs

The most obvious challenge about living and working in China is going to be different social customs and expectations. For instance, when accepting a business card it is considered impolite to accept it in one hand only. Both hands should be used. Also, you should take your shoes off upon entering somebody’s house. 

There are many more differences that need to be understood but the reality is that they rarely end up becoming serious issues. They understand that a foreigner may not know about all the social customs and will cut them some slack. 

The food

One social faux pas that could cause a problem is related to food. It is considered very rude to turn down food that is offered to you. And some dishes may be unpalatable to many Westerners. Put on a brave face and give it a try. You may actually like it anyway!