Travelling has the power to transform your life and shift the way you think about yourself and the world.
My favorite part of traveling is that it gives you a new perspective. It provides a new way to perceive life and who you are. You learn that the life you live is not the only way to live.
I’ve been living on my own since I was 16 years old. Moving away from my hometown has helped me become stronger and more aware. Most of all, there is nothing I can be more thankful for than the fact that I moved 4,100 miles away.
Now, I’m living in Beijing. It has taught me more about life, myself, and others than anything else ever has. I wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned along the way, which is the intention of this article.
I’ve come up with 6 reasons to illustrate why moving away from home and living in Beijing was the best decision of my life to date!
1. Open doors and embrace new opportunities
Depending on your major, situation, and program, there may be a job opportunity for you in Beijing.
More than half of all employment opportunities are found through networking and the best time to build your network is before you need it. In Beijing, there are plenty of opportunities for networking.
Every day there are postings of hundreds of upcoming events. Construction takes place from dawn until dusk. In Beijing, growth is inevitable and with growth comes opportunity.
2. Learn a new language
By learning Chinese, you can transform yourself from a low-value employee into somebody who is critical to the success of a project in China, thereby making yourself a very attractive hire.
Beijing is the best place to learn Chinese because every day you will stumble upon a monument, temple or gate that was built thousands of years ago. In my opinion, it’s a unique place to learn about Chinese culture while you study the language.
3. Technologically advanced
Using WeChat and Alipay you don’t need a wallet anymore. You can pay anything anywhere with your QR code, receive your monthly salary, find a date, order a cab, notarize a document and more on the app.
With a smartphone, a person residing in Beijing can do virtually anything. Life in Beijing is super convenient.
4. People
Beijing has been a major global city for centuries and home to a host of inspiring people throughout history, spanning science, the arts, and philosophy.
The city began to draw talented people from around the country to come and stake their claim or realise their destiny. During the three years of my life in Beijing, I met many people from various professions. I always try to learn from everyone around me: from my colleagues to my competitor to the random person I bumped into in the coffee shop this morning.
It is something I find increasingly valuable, especially in the city with a population of 25 million people. For me, nothing is more inspiring than learning from people who chase their dreams.
5. Old meets modern
Beijing has a great mix of preserved ancient culture and super modern and contemporary architecture from some of the world’s most famous architects. I like to walk along a narrow alley in Hutongs and watch how old men sit on wooden stools at the entrance to their hundred-year-old hutong bungalows, drinking beer and playing chess.
While the rest of the city darts around in sharp suits, with a takeaway coffee in one hand and an iPhone in the other.
6. Food
Beijing is full of delicious food, representing thousands of years of culinary history. The Hutong alleys are the best place to see and feel Beijing’s authentic culture, and they are also home to many of Beijing’s hidden delicacies.
Eating out in China is a form of social gathering and entertainment. People negotiate business deals, debate, discuss and exchange ideas.
Life might be difficult for a while, but living in a foreign country is one of those things that everyone should try at least once.
Moving abroad and starting over in a new country is one of the most terrifying yet exhilarating adventures ever! But it will transform you into a citizen of the world.
Inspired by Kiun’s amazing adventure in China?
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