Why Did You Come to China?

By Ashley Brown

Why Did You Come to China?

By Ashley Brown

ASHLEY BROWN

As a foreigner who’s been in this country for six years, I’m familiar with the questions that local people ask, one of which is the ubiquitous “why did you come to China?”I hope to answer this question for you.

Firstly, you should know that the very question is a cultural difference, so it’s instantly strange to many foreigners (whereas in Chinese culture, it’s a normal thing to ask each other). The simple reason for this difference is that historically, Chinese people haven’t moved around too much—typically one needs a reason to move; but it’s different with foreigners because many of our relatives migrated to other countries only a generation or three ago. For instance, in mass migrations to places like Australia, America and England over the last couple of centuries (that’s how New York was born). So, for many of us, the question is strange, because moving simply happens sometimes. I’m a typical secondgeneration Australian, for instance, which means that my grandparents were part of the mass exodus out of Europe last century. Not once did I ask a Chinese person in Melbourne,“Why did you come to Australia?”

Secondly, it’s important to clarify the question—“why did you come to China?” or“why did you stay?” For many people, these questions have two different answers. We come to study, teach, do business, experience another culture or lifestyle, or a combination thereof. I’ve also known people who are here for other reasons, such as volunteering or charity work, or to study Tai Chi, but it’s generally the first four options that bring most of us here. A friend might come and work here first, and then invite you, adding a huge incentive. Also, the people working on a foreign contract are simply here because their company gave them the opportunity to do the same job in a different country. Why China and not another country? For many people, it’s because of the ballooning economy.

So, why do we stay? Well, that is a different kettle of fish. For me, my original plan was to come here for a year, put it on my CV, and go back home. What I didn’t realize was that China is full of foreigners who had the same plan, but ended up staying for year after year.

The reasons we stay are manifold: Better employment opportunities, a more relaxed lifestyle with fewer working hours, the excitement of working in a different culture, and the fact that China is relatively a safe country. For many people, there is also the life-altering factor of a partner or spouse, who can turn any life plan upside-down. Whether you stay or not also depends on how happy you are in your job, and there’s also massive differences between cities to consider. For instance, many people like Shanghai because it’s so Westernized, but that’s exactly why some other people don’t like it; some people love Wuhan because it’s so incredibly chaotic, while others can’t get out of there fast enough. And the choice of cities is also a pivotal decision when opening a business here. Maybe your question should instead be, “Why did you come to [the city you’re in]?”

Another common reason we stay is that our priorities simply change over time. Some start a family; others become addicted to travelling around China as much as they can; English teachers may complete a year or two and then get into business; and, for me, I am now completing a book about my life here. Did I foresee this being a priority in my life? No. Staying in China for six years has created this new priority.

So, why do we come here? When you ask this question, you need to realize that many of us didn’t choose China—China chose us. Because of this, don’t ever ask this question expecting a succinct, understandable and perfectly reasonable answer, because very often, there simply isn’t one to give. After being asked this question at least three times a week for six years, the answer I now tell people is, “I went swimming and got lost.”

The author is an Australian living in China