Moving Abroad Q&A
Today commemorates 12 weeks to the date that I landed, permanently in Hong Kong. These three months have flown by and so to mark the occasion, I’m finally getting round to answering some of your questions about my big, international move. I’ve tried to cover all bases, but if there’s anything else you’d like to know, please leave a comment and I’ll reply as soon as I can.
Questions (and answers) on moving country for work
Why move to Hong Kong?
I have always thought – if not, knew – that I would live in Hong Kong at some point, but I just didn’t realise it would be now. My Mum is from Hong Kong and, for as long as I can remember, we fly back every year for a holiday and to visit family. In fact, my parents made the decision to set me up with a resident’s HKID when I was 14, so that I might be able to eventually move, live and work here!
By a twist of fate, I moved here for a new job that is incredibly exciting. And, secondly, it allows me to soak up the culture that I’ve grown up only semi-knowing, as well as figure life out for myself while I’m still young and sans commitments. Before I moved, I’d been considering buying my own property and now I can’t imagine life any other way. I’m really enjoying exploring my identity as a British-born Chinese woman here, and navigating life having been raised in a traditional Chinese household in England.
What did you do to prepare?
Basically, nothing.
But really though, I didn’t prepare myself at all. Luckily for me, I hold a HKID as well as a British passport which gives me dual nationality and means I didn’t need to apply for a work visa. I wrote myself a furniture shopping list and a beauty shopping list, called a few friends and published an announcement blog post. Erm. I pretty much winged it. In hindsight, I wouldn’t change a thing because it meant I didn’t have too much time to fret about what was facing me.
How did you make your final decision to move?
I wish I hadn’t thrown my pros and cons list out because it was the funniest thing I’ve ever written, aside from a note telling my Mum I’d run away when I was 11. (I’d actually packed a backpack to move into our garage because I saw a spider in my bedroom. 11 y/o me obviously didn’t realise Aragog and her kids live in said garage.)
I wrote myself a pros and cons list that had the most detailed points on it. Things like: avocado and egg toast, Pokemon Omega Ruby earlier release, no double duvet, can’t go to Nando’s, get to buy Laneige, and stay out all night featured on there. I of course consulted my best friends who half couldn’t believe I wanted to leave and couldn’t wait for me to explore somewhere new, because they knew how bored I was of my everyday life in the UK.
What are you doing there?
I moved here for a job at Lane Crawford’s head office.
I also do things like get lost looking for brunch spots, walk into really-clean glass walls, eat out more than recommended, explore places that are Instagram-worthy and potter around my cute apartment 😉
What is the work culture like?
Ah that big question. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t too bad.
If you’re not familiar with the East Asian work culture, in short, it’s supposed to be long hours, standard six days at work, little pay and the expectation that you’ll put work before health, family, social lives, etc. In contrast, I work Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm and, actually, earn more than my previous, London salary.
Of course there’s a language difference to contend with, but I speak native English and fluent Cantonese, so the jump hasn’t been difficult at all. We work in English, at the office, so really the transition has felt simple.
How about the living space situation?
I’ve already shared snippets of my apartment both on my blog and Instagram, but living in Hong Kong takes small spaces to the next level.
It’s tiny. I’m fairly petite, yet some of these buildings and shops really push the limit. Again I’ve been really lucky in that my family own an apartment over in the New Territories, which is right next to an MTR station, the bus terminus, taxi station and minibus terminus. I live there on my own, which has been quite the ride so far! Hi I’m Michelle and I bought myself a new stove and oven for Christmas…
How did you find the settling in process?
To be honest, I feel very settled and yet still not settled in all at the same time.
Because I live somewhere that I’ve stayed in at least once a year every year of my life, it already feels like home. But because I’m here living on my own, I still feel quite unsettled in that I don’t have a particular routine, I just do whatever I want.
I find that I rarely feel homesick, but often wish that my best friends and family could experience this with me. I also have that added bonus of being bilingual, so I haven’t struggled much on the language side of things either. Oh! And the initial jetlag was like NO OTHER jetlag I’d ever experienced.
What’s it like in Hong Kong?
I could be here all day, but in summary, it’s exciting, fun and surreal in comparison to my UK life. There’s no limit to the things you can do, see, eat and smell. If you thought everything was on your doorstep in London, then think again, basically. The Hong Kong lifestyle has a ‘work hard, play hard’ mantra and there’s a huge mix of modern and traditional routine, just the way I’ve been brought up. The air-con game is strong, the shopping game is stronger, but most of all, there’s an appreciation for every little element here – or maybe that’s just me.
Best and worst things about living in Hong Kong?
Best: it’s so pretty, there are so many things to explore, SASA (Asia’s equivalent to Sephora) is a 2-minute walk from my front door, and the food is incredible.
Worst: my apartment geckos, air-con in the winter, and you can’t wear red lipstick without being stared at.
What would your tips for moving abroad be?
Pack lots of homely trinkets and photographs! You can buy clothes later. Which you will.
Think ahead about things like setting up Internet and bank accounts ahead of either arriving or ahead of needing them to pay bills and be paid from work. Stay in touch with your friends no matter how busy you find yourself. (Imagine my 8-hour time difference paired with the 9-hour working day… Hint: it means sacrificing your 8-hours of sleep.) Start using Facebook again! Download a dual-clock widget or app on your phone. Find yourself a good hairdresser ASAP. Make the most of every opportunity.
What is next?
Currently I plan to stay in Hong Kong for a year.
I’m still looking at it as an unconventional working year out, but I haven’t booked any flights and nothing is set in stone. I do eventually see myself back in England as I have my baby tortoises waiting for me, as well as my baby cousin and the rest of my family. And I also have big, big plans for a new venture that would require me to be in England.
What are some of your tips or burning questions for me?
