Do you dream about moving abroad? YEAH THAT'S ME
China, probably more than any other country in the world, has embraced mobile technology and the digital age. It’s ironic, if you think about it, considering China’s heavy-handed censorship. Yet there’s no doubt that if you as an expat want to integrate into China’s modern society, you need to get on board China’s ever-evolving technology.
After living in China for five years, I’d like to think I’ve become an expert on how to convert RMB to USD and vice versa. I’ve literally tried every trick in the book, to find affordable ways to get my USD into China, and my RMB out of China. I switched American banks for free […]
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info. I recently sent out a survey asking what people were MOST worried about when it comes to traveling in China. I have to say, I wasn’t too surprised when I saw the number one response: “I’m worried about the language barrier” “How […]
While I like to brag about being conversationally fluent in Chinese, the honest truth is that I’ve been lazy. In the last two years I’ve barely learned any new words and my writing is actually horrible. I just started my new job in Beijing, and after two weeks of trying to negotiate electricity bills, set up […]
As this year comes to a close I can’t help but think back on all of the crazy adventures I’ve had. This time last year I was struggling with my teaching placement in the Chinese countryside, wondering if I would abandon my contract half-way through and go back to America. I was lonely, a little […]
Spending Christmas away from family and home can be a bit rough. For me, it’s just not feasible to make the long and expensive trip home for such a short time. Especially since I have finals coming up. To be honest, it doesn’t really feel like Christmas in China. Yes there are decorations, and my Chinese […]
Over the last few years, I’ve talked a bit about Chinese beauty standards and how they differ from America and most other “western” countries. Whether it’s skin whitening or the fact that I can be simultaneously fat and beautiful, sometimes it’s hard to wrap my head around the notions of Chinese beauty. As a woman, […]
Welcome to my latest series: China Culture Shock! Part of the reason I was interested in moving to China in the first place was to explore a culture completely different from my own. I wanted to experience “culture shock” and challenge myself. I’ve been living in China for almost two years now, and I’m still constantly experiencing things that […]
I’ve been studying at the University of Nottingham in China for about two months now, so I thought it was about time I talk about the dorm I’ll be living in for a year. If you remember my story about my first week of grad school, originally, I was supposed to live in building 18, […]
I’ve been wanting to write this post for months. But to be honest, I’ve been afraid to get this personal. Sure I’ve talked about my struggles and loneliness living in China, my embarrassment when a student called me fat, and how I sometimes judge people for not being as “adventurous” as me. I even went […]
Hi I'm Richelle! I'm the founder of the Freedom Life and I've been living abroad since 2013. For the last eight years, I've been helping hundreds of adventurous people just like you move abroad, and I can't wait to help you get started on this incredible adventure!
