The Hard Parts of Being a Foreigner in Shenzhen, China

answer is, yes, they do. Sometimes it's just a quick glance. Sometimes it's someone turning around after they've already walked past. Sometimes it's kids pointing. Sometimes people secretly take photos. And honestly, most of the time they don't mean anything bad by it. They are just curious. just curious. But imagine being looked at almost every day. day. You eventually become aware of it, even when nobody is staring. You walk into a restaurant and immediately wonder if people noticed you. you. You get on the subway and think, "Am I the only foreigner

here?" After a while, it becomes normal, but it never completely disappears. never completely disappears. Now, I've recently been in Shenzhen more and I decided to rent an apartment here as well. as well. And I thought finding an apartment would be simple. You find one online, you sign the contract, you move in, and that's how it usually goes. So, that's what I expected, but it wasn't like that at all. Some landlords here simply didn't want to rent to foreigners. Others needed extra approval. Suddenly, I was being asked for more pictures of my passport,

my visa, my entry records, and entry records, and to be honest, questions I've never really been asked before. It wasn't impossible. It was just different. More difficult. Again, I completely understand why they do this, but today it's more about sharing another side of the things that sometimes are struggle for me. And I already know some couch potatoes watching this video will say, "Well, Lizzie, then leave China." And honestly, no. This is still my favorite place. Nothing changed just because of this video. I don't suddenly feel like this. This has

always been there. there. It reminded me that I wasn't just another person looking for a place to live, though. live, though. I was a foreigner looking for a place to live. And I mean, the paperwork as well. Living abroad means there's always paperwork. paperwork. Your passport, Your passport, your visa, your visa, your residence registration, your residence registration, making sure that every document is still valid. valid. And even though I've been renewing my visa for 7 years now, every time when it comes to that time of the year, you still get a

little bit nervous. Now, if I stay somewhere for more than a certain amount of time, you need to make sure that you are registered correctly. It's just a part of life. But most people never really have to think about these things, but for foreigners, foreigners, it's always sitting in the back of your mind. You never completely forget about your visa expiration date. Even on your happiest days, it's still there somewhere. there somewhere. And yes, I get it. This is the life that I chose. And then I think something that hits a little harder is never

completely belonging, if that makes sense. I think this is actually the hardest part, and it has nothing to do with paperwork. It's really just belonging, or or maybe it's about not belonging. Because when you're surrounded by people who've lived here their whole lives, who look different than you, you realize you'll never completely fit in. And no matter how hard I study Chinese, there are just jokes that I'll never understand. There are some memories that I just don't share. Holidays feel different for me. Traditions I'm still learning about. Sometimes

everyone around me is just knows how things work, and I'm still figuring it out even after all these years. years. And maybe I feel like this today because I'm going back to South Africa soon for a holiday, and a holiday, and I I'm thinking about home. The strange thing is is my home country doesn't completely feel like home anymore, either. either. I go back, and yes, everything is somewhat familiar, but somehow it's still different. Friends moved away, places changed, I've changed. So now I have this strange feeling where I'm not completely at home

there, but I'm not completely at home here, either. It's like living between two worlds. And I think that's something a lot of people who move abroad experience. Sometimes it's not the big things that you miss. It's the little things. Being able to explain yourself perfectly, understanding every joke, calling customer service without worrying you'll misunderstand something, reading every sign without translating it, knowing exactly how things work. Those little things become invisible when you have them, and you only notice them once they're gone.

they're gone. And now, still, people will wonder after this video, even though I made 100 positive videos and good videos, this one video will still make people ask me, "Well, Lizzie, then why stay? If it's sometimes difficult, why not just leave?" just leave?" Well, because Well, because there are moments, there are days that walking through a city, like walking through Shenzhen at night, seeing families having dinner together, watching people live their everyday lives, finding a coffee shop where they already know my order, making friends here,

learning another language, building a life from scratch. Like, yes, some people think it's not nice, but I absolutely love to go to the package shop, and they already know my number. They already help me get my packages before I even ask them to help. When I go to a miss my massage place, and the massage woman already knows what I want. When I go into into the convenience store, and they just already know what I want. Or go into my favorite restaurant, they just know. They remember you. You stand in the elevator, and people just recognize you. Some

Sometimes, when I'm tired, yes, I don't like people noticing me. But most days, it's still nice. It's still nice to smile at people, and know they Hey, they remember me. remember me. Those moments make the difficult days worth it. worth it. So, I want to say it one more time. I still love my life here. I still love everything that I get to do in China, and I and I don't even have a doubt in my mind that I will not stay in this country for many, many more years. It's just a different side that I wanted to share today that most foreigners that are maybe

watching this video will also be able to resonate with. So yes, you know what? Finishing this video off, living abroad isn't always exciting. It's not always adventure. Sometimes it's paperwork, sometimes it's loneliness and it depends from person to person. It depends on personality. For me it doesn't bother me that much, but I've met so many people, especially introverts who it really Yeah, it becomes scary. Like sometimes when I used to start foaming or just walking around, yes, I would just like look down and it does get more and more comfortable the

more you live here, but you're still walk into a place and you're like, I can speak Chinese. I've been living here for so long, but I still don't feel like I completely belong and it's not my fault. It's not the Chinese people's fault. I mean, Chinese people actually make it easier for me because they're really so kind. They're always helpful. So they are very warm and welcoming, but that's just life. I mean, it's my choice, right? I chose to live here, but I feel like that's what makes it such a unique experience, you know? It's this combination of

home, but not really home, but it's so nice to live here, so many opportunities, but you still just don't belong. So yeah, you know what guys? I just wanted to share that with you today and let me know if you've ever lived abroad, if you also feel like this sometimes or is it more like you just feel feel you miss home. Because I do miss home, but this video was more about like feeling like you don't really belong because because you look different. Like I look different here. I'm not in a European country. But for now, this city, the culture, the food,

the streets, it's part of my story and I could not be happier. So yeah guys, thank you for watching. I really appreciate it and let me know what other videos you want to see. I am here for you. Enjoy your day, guys. Bye.