Expat Life: American Girl Jo Kelly-Bai Talks Life in China

It is a special breed of intrepid men and women who can leave hearth and home to forge a new life in a foreign land. Americans, ironically, are increasingly relocating to different countries. Perhaps only the bravest and most ambitious end up in China. Entrepreneur Jo Kelly-Bai is an American expat who now lives in China.

Are you American-born?

Yes, I am. Born in Missouri.

When did you develop an interest in China?

When I was a child I was fascinated by those old fashioned Kung Fu movies. I thought the guys were handsome and never missed an episode.

What was it about the country appealed to you?

I think the traditional aspects. They say I have an old soul and I kind of like being around all that history. I like seeing the temples and the strange foods and meeting the local people.

Did you consider moving to any other countries? If so, what made China your ultimate choice?

Honestly, I considered Japan but the cost was too expensive. When I came over 9 years ago, China was very cheap. And this is where those Kung fu masters were supposed to be living.

For someone now considering moving to China, what are some things they should consider before moving there?

Things are a lot better now. You can get some hair products and hair weaves. There are a few salons that cater to ethnic hair. I sell clothes and hair, so it's much easier to live. However, the downside is one if you are coming over now you need to bring a non criminal background check and your original degree. These are needed to get the working visa in China now. The laws are more strict than before. Also, if you are not into dating Chinese men the dating pool will be lacking. So it can get lonely since most foreign men want Chinese women.

What was reaction of family/friends to your decision?

I have always been the risk taker in the family so they were not surprised. I am always doing crazy things. I think they were only surprised when I told them only a week before I left.

What are the biggest challenges about living there?

I would say the biggest challenge would be dealing with the concept of “Face”. That is always making yourself, your boss, your family and your friends look good in the eyes of others. The other thing would be the stares and pointing. Sometimes even photographs are snapped while you are walking or just eating. You will have days when you hate China and days when you love China. It just comes with living abroad.

What are the biggest payoffs?

I think I have learned so much about the world outside America. I have learned what other people think about my country. I think I also learned about myself. I realize I can do things I never dreamed of doing and be successful at it. China is filled with opportunities and I have grown a lot.

If you had to do it again, would you make the same decision?

I would not change anything. Well, I might have brought a heavier coat. It was colder than I thought. No central heating. But otherwise the adventure was, and still is, amazing.

How do you see America differently since living in another country and what have you learned about how the rest of the world sees America?

This is a good question. I can see our flaws and I can see things I appreciate more. The world sees us as bullies trying to control everything. I now kind of see why they think that. From here America looks messy but when I was there I worried more about just trying to survive. I didn't really worry about other countries. Now I pay more attention to everything. I see what we do very well and I see what we need to improve.

Are you now fluent in Mandarin/Cantonese? If so, how long did it take for you to become fluent?

I don't think any foreigner can be completely fluent in Chinese. Even some of the natives don't know all of the language. I speak decent conversational Chinese. I cannot read very well and writing is just crazy. But if someone from America heard me they would think I was fluent. How long did it take me? Well it's an ongoing process, but I think after about two years people started to actually understand me clearly. Some younger people could probably learn it faster. I didn't take any classes. I just copied and repeated.

Have you found a support system in China? If so, how easy or hard is it to find friends there?

OMG everyone will want to be your friend because you are a foreigner. But their idea of friendship is a bit different. They think friends need to do for each other all the time. It's a bit more complex than back home. I have my husband and a few close Chinese friends and quite a few expats from around the world. We all kind of get lumped together so we form a kind of expat family.

Is it harder to find love in China than in America?

Humm. For me no. But I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a man. Most Chinese men are very focused on family and providing financially for their family at any cost. But they are very close to their parents; sometimes too close. In some cases the parent makes the final decision on who they marry. I like the traditional family aspect. But others might find it a bit stifling.

Jo Kelly-Bai is the owner and operator of HeiLan Hair and Fashions. Currently living in Yiwu City, she has been blogging and living in China for the past nine years and is married to Jet Liu. Find out more about Jo Kelly-Bai at www.lifebehindthewall.wordpress.com and at her Facebook page HeiLan Fashions or on wechat ID: Yinglai69.

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