Hi, I’m Lieven, 26 years old, and together with my husband Guus I moved to Hangzhou, China, for two years. In this column, I will keep you updated on our adventures in each edition of the magazine. Also, follow us on our blog: www.livingasanexpat.com and on Instagram: @follow_our_china_adventure.
Moving to Hangzhou, China, for two years was an exciting leap into the unknown for Guus and me. A job opportunity for Guus, but also a chance for us together to explore life as an expat. We still knew very little about China and the city of Hangzhou, making this a great opportunity to learn and experience more. After months of preparations (and a lightning 5-day visit to Hangzhou), our adventure finally began on May 3. The goodbye was emotional, but the flight itself went smoothly, thanks in part to our clever seat-booking strategy that allowed us an extra free seat.
Our first days in Hangzhou were a mixture of practical challenges and new discoveries. Consisting, for example, of finding a convenient supermarket, how to use the right apps and finding our way around public transportation.
Our first evenings we took walks along the waterfront, which was just a few minutes from our temporary apartment. The combination of the modern skyline and traditional elements impressed us greatly. Our first meal at an Italian bistro gave us a sense of familiarity in an otherwise unfamiliar environment.
An essential part in our first few weeks was the medical check-up for our resident visa. This process, where we went from room to room in half an hour for 8 different examinations, showed us how efficiently examinations can be scheduled!
Everyday encounters often brought surprises and funny moments. From a boy who gave me a gift on the street that turned out to be underpants, to a child in the elevator who found my tattoo fascinating. These moments provided a lot of laughter.
One of the most important parts of the first period was finding a permanent apartment. Together with our agent Connie, we looked at several apartments and learned about living standards in China, such as low-rise kitchens (read: kitchen heights of 80 cm that come up to Guus’s knee) and small living rooms. Despite these differences, we found a suitable apartment and signed the contract. Connie also helped us with practical matters such as getting a SIM card and using local apps, which made our daily life a lot easier.
Our exploration continued as we explored the city and met new people. We made friendships with other expats, such as a Swedish couple who kept us company during a Korean BBQ and a local soccer game. These meetings were valuable as they allowed us to exchange experiences and tips.
Every day in Hangzhou brings new experiences and challenges. From getting used to the local eating habits to the spontaneous and often hilarious interactions with the locals. We went into our adventure in Hangzhou “open minded” and that is how we continue to look at everything we experience. We adapt and learn something new every day here.
In each column, I will take you through our adventures/discoveries/opinions here in Hangzhou. Until next time!
Greetings Lieven
