Great expat-ations: Noel, 38, American

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-24 09:22

Why China?

In late 2005 I visited China for a couple of days on my way to a conference in Thailand and knew immediately that I wanted to come back. I'd previously lived in the US, Ecuador and South Africa. The mix of history and modern life here, and the energy levels and pace of change, were infectious. My original plan when I came to China (in 2008) was to spend a couple of months in Beijing and then move to Shanghai. Once I spent time in Beijing I grew to love the city, its architecture and culture, and appreciate the friendliness of people here, and I didn't want to leave.

Doing What?

I work for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment Technology & Promotion Office (UNIDO ITPO-China), promoting international cooperation between Chinese companies and overseas entities. We work with different cities around China as consultants for sustainable industrial development, with an emphasis on renewable energy, and investment promotion. I'm currently arranging a couple of study tours for Chinese municipal officials and local business leaders to travel overseas to learn about government programs encouraging development and renewable energy in other places. My office is also planning a renewable energy conference in Dongying City, Shandong province, for the end of October.

I'm also in the Executive MBA program offered here by Rutgers Business School.

The language?

I speak English, Spanish and some French. My Chinese is still at the 'basic' level but I can hold simple conversations, especially about food and tea. I can't hold business conversations yet but I'm working on it. I have a wonderful teacher named Emily who works with me and is very patient when I butcher her language.

Relationship?

I'm not in a relationship right now. I've gone on a few dates here but haven't found the right person yet.

Food?

Sichuan, Hakka, Yunnan, huoguo, noodles. Shuizhuyu (fish boiled in water and oil with Sichuan peppers and peppercorns) is one of my favorite dishes, though I also have a favorite jianbing (similar to a savory crepe, with a sheet of wheat gluten inside, some cilantro and sesame seeds) spot over near Jiaodaokou. I don't eat meat, but do eat fish and seafood. Guangdong province and Shandong province both have wonderful seafood.

In Beijing my friends and I like to find new places to go for jiaozi (dumplings).

A lot of dishes here have meat in them, as the main ingredient or chopped up in the sauce. I've learned to tell people in Chinese that I can't eat meat so sometimes waitresses will tell me not to order something because there's pork or beef in it. Once I learned the vocabulary to say that I'm vegetarian, and to ask if some thing had pork, beef, chicken, etc., I was able to try a lot more local food.

When I'm out with a large group sometimes we'll get two versions of the same dish - one with meat, another without. Last week I was at a banquet in Guangdong and a waitress came running over to tell me to stop when she saw me taking something from a dish with meat in it. I appreciated her vigilance on my behalf.

Money?

I'm making much less here than I was making in the US, but I have a comfortable standard of living and I'm still able to save consistently. Beijing can be expensive but if you make good choices you don't have to spend a lot.

The future?

I enjoy living in China and think I'll be here for a while longer but I'm also open to amazing possibilities in the future, wherever they may be.