From Prague to China: A Czech Expat’s Journey of Living, Working, and Understanding Migration in Modern China
Signalinks hans
Why I Left the Czech Republic for China
When I first told my friends and family in Prague that I was moving to China, their reactions were mixed.
Some were excited for me. Others were surprised.
A few thought I was crazy.
At the time, China felt incredibly far away—not only geographically but culturally. Most people around me knew very little about daily life there. They imagined crowded cities, unfamiliar food, and a language that seemed impossible to learn.
To be honest, I had many of the same assumptions.
But curiosity won.
I wanted to experience something completely different from the comfortable life I had known in the Czech Republic. What was originally planned as a one-year adventure eventually became a life-changing journey.
Today, after years of living abroad in China, I can confidently say that moving here was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
My First Impression of China
My journey began in Shanghai.
The moment I arrived, I realized that no travel documentary or YouTube video could fully prepare me for what I was about to experience.
Everything felt enormous.
The airport was larger than many European towns.
The highways seemed endless.
The skyline looked like something from a science fiction movie.
Coming from Prague, where history is visible in every street and building, China felt like stepping into the future.
Yet despite all the modern technology and skyscrapers, I quickly discovered that China's greatest strength wasn't its buildings—it was its people.
The Reality of Living in China as a Foreigner
Many people ask me what it's like living in China as a foreigner.
The answer depends on what you're looking for.
If you expect China to feel similar to Europe, you may struggle at first.
But if you're open-minded and curious, every day becomes an opportunity to learn something new.
The first few months were challenging.
Simple tasks required patience.
Ordering food.
Opening a bank account.
Finding an apartment.
Understanding local apps.
Even grocery shopping felt like an adventure.
However, each challenge became easier over time.
Eventually, unfamiliar situations became part of my daily routine.
That's when China started feeling less like a foreign country and more like home.
Learning Chinese: The Biggest Challenge
As a Czech speaker, learning Mandarin Chinese was undoubtedly the hardest part of relocating to China.
European languages share many similarities.
Chinese is entirely different.
The tones were particularly difficult.
I still remember accidentally ordering the wrong meal because I pronounced a word incorrectly.
The waiter laughed.
I laughed too.
Moments like these became common.
Fortunately, most Chinese people appreciated the effort.
Even when my Chinese was terrible, people were encouraging and patient.
After years of study, I can now navigate daily life, communicate with friends, and handle most situations without difficulty.
Learning the language transformed my experience.
It allowed me to see China beyond the surface.
Chinese Food: A Completely New World
Before arriving, I thought I knew Chinese food.
I was wrong.
What most Europeans know as "Chinese food" represents only a tiny fraction of China's culinary culture.
Every province offers something unique.
In Sichuan, I discovered spicy hotpot.
In Guangdong, I fell in love with dim sum.
In Xi'an, I enjoyed hand-pulled noodles.
In Beijing, I experienced authentic Peking duck.
Food became one of the most enjoyable parts of my expat life in China.
More importantly, sharing meals became one of the easiest ways to connect with local people.
Many of my closest friendships started around a dinner table.
Technology Changed My Daily Life
One of the biggest surprises was how digital everyday life had become.
Back in the Czech Republic, cash and bank cards were still common.
In China, almost everything happened through a smartphone.
I paid for meals with my phone.
I ordered groceries with my phone.
I booked transportation with my phone.
I even paid street vendors with my phone.
The level of convenience was remarkable.
At one point, I realized I hadn't touched physical cash in weeks.
For many foreigners working in China, adapting to this digital ecosystem is one of the first major adjustments.
Once you become accustomed to it, it is difficult to imagine life without it.
Transportation: Exploring a Vast Country
One of my favorite aspects of overseas life in China has been the ability to travel.
China's high-speed rail system is extraordinary.
As a European, I was amazed by how efficiently people could travel between major cities.
Weekend trips became incredibly easy.
I visited:
- Beijing
- Xi'an
- Chengdu
- Guangzhou
- Shenzhen
- Hangzhou
- Guilin
- Chongqing
- Zhangjiajie
Each destination felt like a completely different country.
Different landscapes.
Different foods.
Different customs.
Different dialects.
This diversity is something many outsiders underestimate.
China is not a single experience.
It is hundreds of experiences combined into one nation.
Working in China
As a foreigner working in China, I quickly noticed differences in workplace culture.
Chinese businesses often move at an impressive pace.
Projects develop rapidly.
Decisions are made quickly.
Adaptability is highly valued.
At first, this environment felt intense.
Eventually, I learned to appreciate the energy and ambition.
Working alongside Chinese colleagues taught me valuable lessons about flexibility, teamwork, and innovation.
Many assumptions I had developed in Europe were challenged.
That experience made me both a better professional and a more adaptable person.
Friendship and Community
One concern before moving abroad was loneliness.
Would it be difficult to build meaningful relationships?
Fortunately, the opposite happened.
Many Chinese people were curious about my background as a Czech expat in China.
Simple conversations often led to lasting friendships.
I attended weddings, family dinners, holiday celebrations, and weekend gatherings.
These experiences helped me understand Chinese culture on a much deeper level than any guidebook could.
Hospitality remains one of the qualities I admire most about Chinese society.
Understanding Migration Through My Own Experience
Living abroad also changed the way I think about migration.
Before moving, I viewed migration primarily as a political or economic topic.
After becoming part of it myself, migration became deeply personal.
As one of millions of people around the world who choose to live outside their home country, I developed a new appreciation for the experiences of migrants everywhere.
Leaving home requires courage.
Building a new life requires resilience.
Learning a new culture requires humility.
These are universal experiences regardless of nationality.
Migrant vs Immigrant: What I Learned
One discussion I encounter frequently is the distinction between migrant vs immigrant.
While definitions vary depending on context, my experience taught me that both involve adaptation.
Whether someone moves permanently or temporarily, the challenge remains similar.
You leave familiar surroundings.
You enter a new culture.
You learn new social norms.
You create a new identity while maintaining your original one.
As someone who left Prague and built a life in China, I understand why these conversations matter.
Migration is ultimately about people, not labels.
Stories of China's Internal Migration
Living in China also introduced me to a type of migration many foreigners rarely think about.
China has experienced one of the largest internal migration movements in modern history.
Millions of people move from rural regions and smaller cities to larger urban centers in search of opportunities.
Over the years, I met students, entrepreneurs, factory employees, engineers, and countless migrant workers whose journeys were every bit as significant as international migration.
Many left their hometowns to build better futures for themselves and their families.
Their determination impressed me.
The Strength of a Migrant Mother
One story has remained with me for years.
I met a migrant mother who had relocated hundreds of kilometers away from her hometown.
She worked tirelessly while supporting her children's education.
Although life was challenging, she remained optimistic.
Her story reminded me that migration is often motivated by hope.
People move because they believe tomorrow can be better than today.
That simple belief drives millions of migration journeys around the world.
The Importance of Migrant Labor
Observing China's development firsthand also helped me appreciate the role of migrant labor.
Modern cities do not appear overnight.
Behind every subway line, residential tower, shopping district, and transportation network are people whose work makes development possible.
Many of these workers have traveled far from their hometowns.
Their contributions are visible everywhere, even if their stories are not always told.
As someone who also chose to leave home in pursuit of opportunity, I found these experiences deeply relatable.
What China Has Taught Me
China taught me much more than a new language or a new culture.
It taught me adaptability.
It taught me patience.
It taught me curiosity.
Most importantly, it taught me that the world is far more connected than we often realize.
People everywhere share similar hopes:
A better future.
Meaningful work.
Strong friendships.
A sense of belonging.
Final Words
When I boarded my flight from Prague years ago, I thought I was simply moving to another country.
What I didn't realize was that I was beginning a journey of personal transformation.
China challenged me.
Inspired me.
Frustrated me.
Educated me.
And ultimately changed me.
For anyone considering moving to China, relocating abroad, or exploring a new culture, my advice is simple:
Go with an open mind.
You may arrive expecting to discover a new country.
But what you will truly discover is a new version of yourself.
And for me, that discovery began the moment I left Prague and started building a life in China.