It might be safe to say that we have all experienced that short moment of dread upon landing in a new country. That small moment where we think “what on earth did I get myself into” and wonder whether it is too late to get back on the plane, as the customs officer beckons you to stamp your passport. It’s even harder when you move to a country so different from your own, both culturally and linguistically, like China. Everything you experience could be a learning experience or an opportunity for spectacular failure. You watch other expats around you seamlessly woven into the tapestry of the country and it all seems impossible. So what do you do?

Tanya Kostova, creator of GloberWeb.com might have an answer for you. As a bona fide expat herself, Kostova knows a thing or two about being out at sea when in a new country. After living in numerous countries on four continents, Kosova felt she could convert her experiences into helpful tips for fellow expats to not only make their transition easier but also provide a platform for them to discover activities and workshops in arts, culture, sports, business, and language. We spoke to Kosova about her latest initiative; a cultural immersion program aimed at expats in Beijing.

It’s even harder when you move to a country so different from your own, both culturally and linguistically, like China.

How would you describe your experiences moving to different countries?

Swimming in unchartered waters? That’s what living in a foreign culture feels like, doesn’t it? When diving in deep waters, we prepare with all essential tools – goggles, oxygen tank, breathing tube, swim suite, underwater camera, etc.

Then how is it that when we are moving to another country we don’t diligently prepare for the cultural differences we would encounter? Why don’t we hyper-focus on gathering the essential tools to help us navigate this new culture? Let’s be honest, most times we “go out there” with just the camera, don’t we?

Swimming in unchartered waters? That’s what living in a foreign culture feels like, doesn’t it?

In your opinion, what is the hardest thing for expats to adjust to when they move to their new country?

The new culture is our new unchartered water. It surrounds everything and plays a role in every interaction, every situation, every day. Why is it that the common denominator of our entire new lives falls way behind on the “to do” list when the culture shock is one of the greatest challenges for expats? Preparing for it, however, could make a world of difference – literally!

Knowing how locals communicate, express themselves, voice disagreement, threaten each other is key to avoid misunderstandings, to avoid being offended where no offense is meant (that’s for both sides). Building awareness about your own cultural ways of communication to draw the distinction is another key. After all, how do you make local friends (seems to be the goal of all expats – a fantastic one we might add), if you don’t know how to communicate in a way that projects “the true meaning”, so your attempt at bridging the gap doesn’t get “lost in translation”?!

As we all know, culture is built over years of history and it is projected in the way of being, the daily habits, and communication, societal rules, traditions, arts, language, etc. Reading about them and studying them is just the base. Experiencing is the way to truly immerse, learn, and adjust but it has to be approached with an open mind and clear distinction of your own vintage point. How do you do that, thou?

What is the Cultural Immersion all about?

We thought, what better way to prepare for and enhance your life in China than experiencing it’s culture while having a clear direction of the true meaning behind it, with opportunities to ask and discuss these fun experiences directly with your instructor who is a local or an expat with many years’ experience of living in this rich culture. What’s more, we’ll even guide you on how you can use all that new knowledge for your own personal and professional growth.

That is how the idea for this comprehensive Cultural Immersion Program was born, as a way to help you get a “softer landing”, smoother cultural transition – to help you get a head start and make the most of your expat experience.

The program hopes to help you:

• Learn ways to effectively manage cross-cultural transition;
• Experience Chinese culture hands-on to get an understanding of your new home;
• Alleviate the effects of Culture Shock through preparation and interaction;
• Gather tools to use that new knowledge to grow personally and professionally;
• Have fun and make some new friends in the process!

Read all about the program here. Early bird tickets will be effective until Sept 30.

KEEP READING: Chinese Folklore Special: Mid-Autumn Festival Stories 

Photos: Unsplash 

Sponsored by Beijing City International School (BCIS). Located in Beijing’s CBD, BCIS lives by its motto: “Empowering and Inspiring Through Challenge and Compassion.” This not-for-profit, co-educational day school provides a personalized, inclusive international curriculum under the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School system, offering the PYP, MYP and DP to both expatriate and Chinese national students from Toddler to Grade 12. For more information, please email admissions@bcis.cn 

Every year, the BCIS Calendar is jam packed with amazing events, student-led activities, workshops and information sessions for parents, sports matches — the list goes on and on. There is one entry into the calendar, however, that sparks very special excitement from both faculty and students — the Week Without Walls (WWW).

In the past, WWW was known as “ECW” (Experience China Week). The name may have changed but the fun learning experiences have remained constant and strong. The Week Without Walls is about providing a platform from which BCIS students can strengthen and deepen their connection with China, as well as their bonds with classmates and teachers. The Secondary School students depart for their WWW trips during the fall, and the Early Childhood and Elementary students in the spring. Each grade level engages in different activities, some held on campus, others held either locally in Beijing, or in other cities and regions such as Xi’an,Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Pingyao and others. It’s certainly an exciting week to be part of the BCIS community.

While the students obviously have a great amount of fun during WWW, the week is actually designed to be a serious and meaningful learning experience. In an article about ECW written in the fall 2015 edition of the school’s bi-annual magazine “Xue Xi”, MYP Coordinator, Jock Macgillivray wrote:

“ECW is more than just a class trip. As part of our curriculum, we believe it is important for student to be given the opportunity to experience learning out of the classroom as well as in the classroom. The goal of ECW is to give students an opportunity to take learning out of the school and into the real world, develop greater cultural sensitivity and provide authentic, direct exposure to China in order to nurture a better understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.”

Beginning in the Early Childhood Center and Elementary School, WWW sees students taking part in fan dances, cookery, lunches in local restaurants, hutong visits, martial arts classes and more. By Grade 4 and 5 they embark on trips away from Beijing (Tianjin and Pingyao respectively). During Secondary School, the trips continue to grow in variety, with every grade visiting a different region of China. By Grade 11, however, the focus shifts slightly to show students the importance of being able to pass the IB Diploma Programme CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirements for successful completion and graduation. Opportunities are given to them during the week to be creative through skateboarding and making videos; to take action by hiking and other sports; and to serve by working with a local orphanage.

WWW is an important program designed to allow students to gain a better understanding of China and themselves. The school hopes that they are challenged to grow in those areas that the community feels is valuable. In short, it is an opportunity for theory and ideas to become reality.

Photos and videos: BCIS