Ken Perkins
Guidance counsellor
Western Academy of Beijing
"Be patient with the ‘culture shock’ your kids may experience. Signs include anger, sadness, withdrawal or boredom. They have to leave their old life behind and the grief from this loss is real. Meanwhile, they have many new things to learn at once. Adjustment is a process and may take three to six months, or even longer."
Rhiannon Sim
Grade 8, New Zealand
Western Academy of Beijing
"I think the best way to settle in is to make friends with someone who was new last year, as they know how you might be feeling. Keep in touch with friends in your home country through things like Skype. Have an open mind about other cultures, and bring things from home to China to remind you of your friends and family. "
Patrick Ahn
Grade 9, South Korea
Beanstalk International Bilingual School, Beijing
"The most difficult thing to adjust to in China has been the language. Pronouncing Chinese words is difficult. My advice to other kids is to not get too stressed if you find studying Mandarin difficult. Also, visit Chinese tourist places like the Great Wall and make friends from other countries."
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