What is it like to live and work in shanghai?

People who live and work in China often have a great range of different experiences, but there are a few common themes to be aware of if you are thinking of moving to one of the most exciting, perplexing and challenging countries in the world. Here are a few tips to let you know what it’s like to live in China.Moving to Shanghai
What to know before you move to China
If you are thinking about moving to work in China, there are a few things you should consider before you take the plunge. Firstly, are you more motivated by the kind of job you want to do, or the part of China you want to live in?
If you want to work in politics, tech or finance, you’ll likely be limited to the major first-tier cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. These are fascinating and vibrant places to experience the modern Chinese lifestyle, but lack beautiful countryside and unique local traditions that much of China is famed for.
If you’re craving a deeper cultural immersion, want to hone your Chinese language skills or simply want to live in some of the most stunning landscapes in the world, look for rural opportunities. For foreigners, this mostly means teaching English or certain jobs within NGOs.
Secondly, it’s worth considering how Chinese workplace culture might differ from what you are used to. For example, colleagues may have little regard for “personal time”, thanks to the ubiquitous messaging app, WeChat. “There can be different expectations from the West in terms of work-life balance, overtime and availability,” says Simon Frank, English Editor at UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing. “You are reachable on WeChat 24-7.”
This can be both positive and negative. While it makes it more likely that a colleague will message you at 11pm on a Saturday, the app also makes workplace collaboration much quicker and more efficient. “What surprised me,” says Katie Cundale who works for Beijing-based travel company, Wild China, “is how much is done via WeChat (Work). Everything in the office can be transferred, booked, and approved on one system.”
There are many other positives to working in China. The cliche that China is the land of opportunity holds true, and you’ll meet dozens of people who are starting their own businesses on the side. There is much less bureaucracy than in western countries for start-ups, and a can-do attitude means that you could experience more exciting challenges in a month in China than you would in a year in the West.
What to expect of work life in China
If you do decide to work in China, you’re sure to find friendly and welcoming colleagues. Even in companies that are used to having foreign workers, some locals still find it exciting to meet someone from another country and will love to talk to you about the differences in your cultures and experiences.
Chinese workplaces tend to have long working hours, however, which can sometimes seem frustratingly inefficient. In many offices, staff religiously clock off at midday for a 90 minute lunch break, and take naps throughout the afternoon, but then stay late into the evening to get all their work done. Chinese offices also often have strict, inflexible hierarchies. “From my experience working in China, employers’ willingness and ability to accommodate foreign employees varies quite widely from company to company,” says Mr Frank. “Working at UCCA has been a very positive experience, and I think that having a foreigner as a boss has been a great help in this regard.”
Mr Frank also warned against employers who “drag their heels on visas and other permits, while still encouraging foreign employees to work. Grey areas that used to enable employment for foreigners in China are disappearing fast, so this can be quite dangerous.” Anyone considering working in China should make sure that their potential employer is up to speed on the paperwork necessary to apply for a work visa.
Compared to working in the West, Chinese annual leave policies seem particularly harsh. There are 10 days of national holiday each year, and on top of that most workers get five days of annual leave (although it’s not uncommon to hear of fewer). If you work at a Chinese company, western holidays such as Christmas are not recognised, which makes going home for the holidays difficult. Some companies offer more generous annual leave policies for foreign staff, but even then the probation period, in which you are entitled to no annual leave, could be up to one year.