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Posts: 33

Governor

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Q: Turnover rate of expats in China - why so high?

I've lived in a number of countries throughout my life, and so am quite familiar with expat communities, habits, etc... Never before have I seen expats staying for such short periods of time in one place. Many of the 20-30 year old crowd I meet stay 6 months, 1 year tops. Expat families stay a little longer, but again, rarely go past 2 years. It's mind-boggling. You become a veteran if you go past that 1 year threshold.

 

I often wonder whether this is a conscious decision made beforehand or if people just go crazy and leave. Six months seems hardly enough to make China a worthwhile stepping stone in someone's career. If anything, it looks either a pretext to brag about 'living in China', or just a failure to adapt.

 

 

11 years 47 weeks ago in  General  - China

 
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Posts: 277

Shifu

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People just go crazy and leave.

 

It is often not a very pleasant experience. Chinese culture gives a really terrible impression at first. As an expat reaching the 1 year mark myself, I think my lowest point was about the 6 month mark. But then again, I've had a very bad working experience.

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11 years 47 weeks ago
 
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I will be part of that demographic; one year and gone. There are many reasons, but here are the top ones.

 

1. We came here for a purpose, to pay off debts (his) and to fund travel plans (mostly mine). One year here will allow that to happen.

2. There are VERY few Chinese we can communicate freely with and the expats in my town (Urumqi) are generally not at all welcoming (thankfully there are a few exceptions). Living in China is an isolating experience for a couple, I can't imagine what that must be like for an individual.

3. My partner struggles with his health here, we both struggle with the daily rudeness,

4. I have lived in another Asian country, and found the students there (I teach) much more rewarding to work with. 

 

It's not about being able to 'brag' about living here; we're here so we can afford to do the things we really want to do. We didn't come with this attitude, but have developed it here.

 

I'll 100 per cent back your other assertion, though, it is a failure to adapt. Quite frankly, six months in, I've given up on the idea of adapting.

 

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11 years 47 weeks ago
 
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Chinese bosses are imbeciles.

LAR:

nevermind, I'll second that!

11 years 15 weeks ago
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11 years 47 weeks ago
 
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My original plan was to stay for only the year... however, I had reasons for staying.

 

I can imagine for many people, it's an inability to adapt - probably brought about by the need to socialise (which I don't - does that answer your query, MissA?)

 

But, I've also decided on this being a new career, and I've put in the time and effort for it. Additionally, there are benefits to working here that I'm not going to get in other parts of the world - income included (not to mention, the ease of getting a better job).

 

Most other expats aren't looking for this - they're just after a new experience. 6 months to a year is enough for that. Bearing this in mind, why would they bother to adapt??

MissA:

Yes, I am a fairly social person. I suppose that not needing as much interaction would make the adjustment period much, much easier. Lucky you!!

11 years 47 weeks ago
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11 years 47 weeks ago
 
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I only planned to be here for 2 years tops, and then move on. I wanted the experience of living here. I'm also hoping to learn some of the language, although I only know a little now. Eventually I wanted to go home, settle down, start a family, all that normal stuff. I don't want to live the rest of my life in China. There are too many problems, and when I have kids, I want my family to be a part of their lives. I think that many expats don't see China as a home, but an adventure.

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11 years 47 weeks ago
 
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Employers are crooks, contract or offers mean nothing.

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11 years 47 weeks ago
 
Posts: 97

Governor

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Many people come over through agencies and they only plan to come for 6 months - 1 year just for the experience, so generally it is planned to leave. 

If people come over without a plan for how long to stay or plan to stay a long time but end up leaving within a year, they usually just couldn't adjust to the differences.

Actually, seeing our friends leave every year and having to make all new ones all over again just to see them leave is one of the hardest things about being an expat here. 

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11 years 47 weeks ago
 
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I think that very, very few expats come to China (or any country other than their own) with the intention of staying forever.  For most, as others have said, they come for the adventure.  Once that adventure gets past the honeymoon stage, they are off to supposedly greener pastures.

 

I came to China with the intention of spending the rest of my life there.  However, I have been back in the US for the past couple of months (first time in over 5 years) and I think that if my family wasn't in China, I would find it almost impossible to return.

 

I love China, but....

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11 years 47 weeks ago
 
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I was just going to stay for one year in 2007. Yet at the end of every year, I always find myself thinking "well, just one more....".

Then again, I haven't had the horror stories that some of you have told about.....

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11 years 47 weeks ago
 
Posts: 6

Governor

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Weirdly enough, the day I reached Beijing was the day I decided that I want to leave Beijing. Touching down in Beijing was like touching down in silent hill, only that all the monsters are replaced by obnoxious people. If it's not for my husband's job, I would be out of here that very same day.  Although getting sick  (allergy symptoms, nauseous and lethargic) is common during polluted days, my husband seems to  struggle a lot more than I do. 

 

Good news is, we decide to leave after a year. Nothing is going to change our mind, not even with super high salary as we have come to learn that health (both physical and mental) is what we value most.

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11 years 15 weeks ago
 
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Governor

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A very good question and great feedback so far.  I'll add a couple more reasons.  First, we are foreigners (wai guo ren).  We will always be just that.  The longer you stay the more you will realize that and what it means.  2nd, the longer you stay the longer you start to feel as if you are losing part of your human dignity.  Nobody is really treated as a human being here, Chinese or foreigners.  3rd, social life outside of work is non-existent.  It seems all Chinese like to talk about is complain/find a way to become successful/rich.  Like you said most foreigners are here for a short time and are here to enjoy every minute.  Seems no middle ground here. 

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11 years 15 weeks ago
 
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Turnover !!!! -----  I been here 14 months and haven't even got a job.  I love China, sit around and doing nothing has been my passion for a while now and I think I have found the right place to do it. ...... too bad somebody doesn't recognize my unique ability to get things done from my China home and pay me a ridiculous salary for a while before I join the turnover crowd in a blaze of glory ........  I QUIT !!!!!!!  ...  I like saying that to bosses!!!

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11 years 15 weeks ago
 
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