While I wasn’t bullied, I did receive a couple of fake RMBs or was tricked into buying overpriced produce, and maybe even fell victim to some other counterfeit items of a liquid variety here and there. This, combined with longtime expats not really being overly welcoming due to the fast turnover rate of many newbies, can make this a unique and sometimes challenging place to call home.

Luckily there are people here that have your back. One such organization that has been operating for quite a long time to help foreigners adjust to life in Beijing is the International Newcomers Network (INN).

They will once again host their annual Arrival Survival on Monday, August 28th from 10am-12 noon at Capital Mansion. Through these Arrival Survival events and their monthly coffee mornings in Sanlitun, you will not only be connected with others in the same boat but also receive invaluable information to help you better get to know your new host city.

Topics covered will include safety in the city, avoiding counterfeits, water and air purification systems, the stresses of settling into Beijing, health insurance, WeChat pay, and financial planning among many others.

The cost to attend the event is RMB 75, which includes coffee, tea, and pastries. For more info check out the event listing here. This event is open to foreign passport holders only.

INN Arrival Survival, Aug 28
All ages. 10am-noon. Function Rm, 3/F, Athletic Center, Capital Mansion, 6 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区新源南路6号京城大厦康乐中心3层  (8486 2225 ext 110) 

Photos: INN, wendyperrin.com

Food, fun, and friends is a great combination and that’s the aim of this month’s INN monthly meeting will focus on. This also happens to be the annual food showcase and takes place next week on Monday, April 27 from 10am-noon. Taking place at the Capital Club, will be a session to learn more about Farmer’s markets and local foods and a mini fair.

Part of the fun will also be talking to the 16 vendors who will be there such as Miss Muesli, Andy’s Signature Craft Sausages, Sweet Tooth, Bonni Nani, TooToo Organic Farms, Pure Living, Signature Wines, and more. A brunch will be held afterwards with details still pending. So Check their website to stay informed of updates.

The International Newcomer’s Network is not only for the new people in town to get acquainted with the city but for those oldies wanting to make friends and enjoy a couple of hours with fellow expats learning something new every time. This week the network has its INN Trekkie taking a historic tour of Beijing from the Ancient Observatory to Red Gate Gallery all the while making pit stops. Followed will be lunch at a local restaurant. Sign up has to be before April 22 via email contactus@innbeijing.org. 

Photos: Courtesy of INN

As the fall term gets underway at schools across Shunyi, summer camps are replaced by after-school activities. It’s that time of year again to start thinking about which sporting activities your kids will be doing after school and on weekends. To help families, Sports Beijing is hosting a sports day where kids can try out different sports that parents can then sign them up for (for more on sports, look out for our upcoming September issue). Now the kids are back at school, there’s also time to catch up with friends both old and new at one of the local INN Coffee Mornings. And if you find you have some spare time on your hands, get along to Roundabout’s huge book fair, where you can pick up a paperback or two and enjoy reading in peace once again.

Sports Beijing Registration Day
This weekend, Sports Beijing is kicking off the fall 2014 season with a day of sports and entertainment. On Saturday, August 23 from 10am to 3pm, the whole family can head to the ISB dome to watch a range of sports demonstrations, including baseball, basketball, rugby, soccer, and handball.

You will have a chance to meet the coaches, try out some of the sports, and register the children for the fall season. To make the day even more entertaining, there will be live martial arts and street dance performances, plus plenty of goodies to be had from Sports Beijing’s various sponsors.

For more information: 6439 1370, info@sportsbj.com, www.sportsbj.org

INN Coffee Morning
On Thursday, August 21, INN Beijing is hosting its next Shunyi Coffee Morning at its store. Come along to Roundabout from 10am to 12pm to have a cup of coffee with other locals. While you’re there, you can also do a bit of shopping or drop off some donations. Coffee mornings in Shunyi are held every third Thursday of the month.

For more information: 137 1805 3814, www.innbeijing.org

Roundabout Book Fair
On Saturday, August 30 to Tuesday September 2, Roundabout is also holding its signature book fair at the British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi. Roundabout staff and volunteers will be working with a team from BSB to set up more than 20,000 books, puzzles and games for sale.

Pick up paperbacks from RMB 10, hardbacks from RMB 20, and kids’ books from RMB 1. Thousands of gently-used books will be on sale, with lots of different language books also available. All proceeds from the book fair will go directly to support the survivors of the Yunnan earthquake.

Roundabout still needs volunteers for Friday, August 29 to help set up the booths and on the busiest days – Saturday, August 30 from 10am to 3pm and Sunday, August 31 from 11am to 2pm – to volunteer. If you’re interested, contact Book Fair Coordinator Bettina Haupter at bettinahaupter@hotmail.com.

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: Andrei Niememaki, Caroline, Morgan (via Flickr)