Living in China as an American: Insights from 10 Years Abroad

An American's Perspective on Life in China

Living as an expat in a foreign country can be a transformative experience, offering unique insights into different cultures and ways of life. For Cyrus Janssen, an American who spent 10 years living in mainland China and Hong Kong, this experience provided a wealth of knowledge about Chinese culture, society, and the complex relationship between China and the United States.

Safety and Freedom in Chinese Cities

One of the most striking observations Janssen shares is about the safety in Chinese cities:

"You can go out in a major city like Shanghai, with 25-30 million people, at 2:00 in the morning. You can wear a nice watch, have cash on you, wear nice clothes - no one's going to bother you. You're not going to get jumped, robbed, or shot."

This level of safety, particularly in large urban areas, stands in stark contrast to the perception many Americans might have about life in China. It highlights how personal experiences can often differ significantly from media portrayals or preconceived notions.

Misconceptions About China

Janssen identifies one of the biggest misconceptions about China among Americans:

"The biggest misconceptions would be that China is a place with no freedom. I think many people have a very hard time understanding what China is really like."

He notes that many Americans still hold an outdated view of China, picturing it as it was in the 1970s - poor, underdeveloped, and strictly communist. This perception fails to account for the rapid development and changes China has undergone in recent decades.

The Reality of Living in China

Contrary to these misconceptions, Janssen's experience paints a different picture:

"I lived in China for 10 years. There's not really many freedoms that I didn't have. There's not really a huge difference between the United States and China."

He acknowledges that there are differences, such as gun laws, but emphasizes that in many aspects of daily life, the differences are not as significant as many might assume.

Cultural Curiosity and Hospitality

One aspect of Chinese culture that Janssen found particularly enjoyable was the curiosity and hospitality of the Chinese people:

"When you're a foreigner in China, the Chinese are very curious about you. They want to know about your country, where you're from, how life is. They're extremely friendly."

This openness and curiosity created a welcoming environment for Janssen, even when he was still learning the language and navigating a new culture.

Learning Mandarin: A Key to Understanding

Janssen emphasizes the importance of learning the local language when living abroad:

"I really committed myself to learning Mandarin because I figured that really would be my ticket, that would be the key thing."

He notes that learning Mandarin not only helped him in practical ways but also provided deeper insights into Chinese culture and ways of thinking.

Career Opportunities in China

Janssen's experience demonstrates how living in China and learning Mandarin opened up unique career opportunities:

"After 2 years and at the age of 25, I was given the opportunity to become the head golf professional at China's number one golf course. The sole reason that I got that job was because I could speak Chinese."

This highlights how combining specific skills (in this case, golf instruction) with language proficiency can create valuable and rare skill sets in the job market.

US-China Relations: A Historical Perspective

Janssen provides insights into how US-China relations have evolved over time:

"I arrived in China in January 2007, and if you remember, in 2008, Beijing hosted the Olympics. That was an amazing time. That was really China's coming out party, that was really China announcing to the world 'we have arrived, our economy is booming, the Chinese are here.'"

He notes that at that time, tensions between the US and China were relatively low, with significant trade and business interactions between the two countries.

Current State of US-China Relations

Regarding the current state of US-China relations, Janssen expresses concern:

"I think that unfortunately, if I had to make a prediction, I think that they're going to increase. I think that we're going to see more tensions between the United States and China."

He attributes this partly to internal issues in both countries and the way China is portrayed in US media and politics.

The Importance of Taiwan in US-China Relations

Janssen identifies Taiwan as a critical factor in US-China relations:

"Taiwan is the fundamental, it's the cornerstone of China's foreign policy. It is the single most important thing."

He explains that any shift in the US stance on Taiwan could potentially lead to significant escalation in tensions between the two countries.

The Power of Personal Experience

Throughout the interview, Janssen emphasizes the importance of personal experience in understanding China:

"I have yet to meet somebody that has physically gone to China and not come away with a very different perception than what the media is presenting to you on a daily basis."

This underscores the value of travel and firsthand experience in forming opinions about other countries and cultures.

The Role of Social Media in Changing Perceptions

Janssen discusses how social media, particularly YouTube, is playing a role in changing perceptions about China:

"I think there's a fundamental shift happening around the world where people are changing their perceptions about China, and social media is a big part of that."

He notes that as more people share their experiences in China through platforms like YouTube, it's helping to provide a more nuanced and diverse view of life in the country.

The Impact of YouTube on Cultural Understanding

Janssen's own YouTube channel has become a platform for sharing insights about China and promoting cultural understanding:

"We try to provide the nuance. Some of my most successful videos is me simply walking around China, just showing you."

He shares examples of how his videos have helped change perceptions and even inspired people to visit or move to China.

Advice for Aspiring YouTubers

For those interested in starting a YouTube channel, Janssen offers some advice:

"The biggest thing is to make good content. In the early stages, it's about quantity, not quality. When you're starting off at zero, you need to be producing a lot of videos, you need to get better at your craft."

He emphasizes the importance of storytelling and finding what works for your audience.

Personal Philosophy and Life Lessons

Janssen shares a fundamental belief that has guided him:

"Be the change you want to see in the world. It's very, very simple."

He applies this principle to his efforts to improve understanding between the US and China, even if it's just by influencing one person at a time.

The Meaning of Life

When asked about the meaning of life, Janssen refers to the Golden Rule:

"Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. As I've traveled around the world, I've traveled to over 60 countries, I have not found any country, any religion, any society, any civilization anywhere on the planet that does not agree with that law."

This universal principle, he believes, is key to fostering understanding and positive relationships across cultures.

Conclusion

Cyrus Janssen's experiences living in China for a decade offer valuable insights into Chinese culture, society, and the complex relationship between China and the United States. His story highlights the importance of personal experience in shaping our understanding of other cultures and challenges many common misconceptions about life in China. As tensions between the US and China continue to evolve, voices like Janssen's play a crucial role in fostering understanding and promoting dialogue between these two global powers. By sharing his experiences through social media and encouraging others to explore and understand China firsthand, Janssen contributes to a more nuanced and informed global conversation about one of the world's most influential nations.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/xj0_MEcodRM?feature=shared