“I’ve been here in Guangzhou for five years. I’ve done a lot travels around Guangdong province. It’s just a wonderful place to live.’ said Craig Nichols from Canada, a foreign teacher at Clifford International School.

On the morning of November 21st , Newsgd.com/GDToday live-streamed a lecture on visa policies and exit & Entry administration as well as Chinese culture.

The live-stream event invited officers from Expert Service Division of Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Exit-Entry Administration of Guangzhou Public Security Bureau, International Chinese language education teacher, and teachers from Clifford School to share useful information and Guangzhou stories.

Livestreaming on visa policies and Chinese culture held in Guangzhou [Photo: Steven]

"Guangdong province has a lot of beautiful beaches to visit, interesting historic sites to explore, and scenic mountains to climb, it's easy to find them. One thing that I really enjoy about Guangzhou is that it got a real international feel to it. The city itself is really geared around exporting goods to the world", said Craig.

When addressing those who are new to Guangzhou, he suggested them learning to celebrate the differences because things aren’t always the same as wherever they come from. But, ‘that doesn’t make them wrong. Just different. I am often surprised by the positive differences I notice.’

Theodore Anderson, who joined the Clifford community just last semester, has been living in Guangzhou for nearly 7 years in total. "When I got off the plane, I knew quickly I was in for an adventure. I spoke zero Chinese and found managing a warehouse deep in the industrial zone in Baiyun. It was a crash course in many things, including cultural lessons." he said as he recalled his first day in Guangzhou.

Livestreaming on visa policies and Chinese culture held in Guangzhou [Photo : Steven]

After a seven-year adventure in the city, Theodore now has a deeper understanding of Chinese culture as well as some of the local cultural rules. "I say with all honesty, I love this city and I hope those new here will love it as well. Let’s live up to the honor and let’s make the best of our time in this great city." he concluded.

When asked how they feel about today’s event, ‘I enjoyed it very much. It gives me a chance to reflect on the past year and my life in China, which has been a great life. I’ve really enjoyed my time in China’, said Craig, while Theodore thinks it is excellent because he never had the chance of going to an event like this when he first came to Guangzhou.

A Lecture on Chinese Culture (story sharing - life and work in Guangzhou)’ is one of a series activities of “Home of Foreign Experts in Guangzhou”, a service platform built by the Guangzhou government for foreign experts working in China. The program has organized a range of activities including lectures, public welfare activities and traditional Chinese culture activities.

With the aim of helping foreign experts find out more about Guangzhou and China, this platform hopes to help foreign experts enjoy their work and life in Guangzhou and further promote the integration of Chinese and foreign culture.

The next upcoming event is an outdoor concert on Ersha Island of Guangzhou. More details will be released on our Wechat GDToday (ID: Newsguangdong). So, stay tuned!

(Scan the QR code to watch the livestream from yesterday)

Author | Fanny

Editor | Keane, Jerry