Bursting the Bubble: 5 Tips for Cultural Immersion

As a participant of anorganised internship, such as CRCC Global’s Program, one has access to a plethora of support: from the brilliant Program Managers who are just a WeChat message away, to the English-speaking supervisor there to guide you at work, to all the otherinternssharing the very same fish-out-of-water experience. Being away from home can be tough, but it could be a whole lot tougher. However, while having such an extensive, somewhat predetermined support system in place is wonderful, it may also have its downsides. Here are CRCC Global's 5 Tips for cultural immersion.

5 Tips for Cultural Immersion: Written by Stacey Lui (British CouncilGeneration UK Participant)

During my time here inChina, I’ve noticed something akin to a CRCC Global micro-society being formed. Two months is not a great length of time. Take away the (roughly) 8 hours spent in an office every weekday, occasional evenings forMandarin class, and a day or two for trips outside of your new city, and that leaves even less free time. In a flash, the months will have passed and all that may remain is a valuable, but brief, insight to working life in China, and hazy memories of many merry nights.

Of course, there’s no prescribed, correct way of experiencing China, but for those hoping to fully immerse themselves into the local culture, here are CRCC Global's 5 Tips for cultural immersion.

Self-explanatory, perhaps, but it’s a piece of advice worth reiterating. When you’re abroad, home customs may not apply, so being open-minded, respectful and accepting is essential. Observe and familiarize yourself with local etiquette. There are some things that may surprise you, frustrate you, or simply baffle you but be a judge-free zone. And remember: the need for understanding goes both ways.

Books are a brilliant way of being transported into another time and place and there’s definitely no shortage of literature on China. Delve into a good read before you depart to get a peek into what awaits.

As ever, when it comes to eating out, drinking, and shopping, finding local hotspots is often the best option. Baozi and dumplings are among one of my favorite snacks to grab on the go. When scoping out restaurants, the less English, the better – and if there’s a long queue then you’ve probably unwittingly stumbled across a jackpot. For those with any allergies or dietary requirements, it’s useful to have a few relevant phrases memorized or written down. Ditto when it comes to haggling at the market or underground shopping centers.

Whether it’s really getting to know a co-worker and taking your relationship outside of the office or joining aMeetupevent, it’s never a bad idea to have friends in a variety of places. I’ve been to a language exchange, met some lovely people through the Vegans of Shanghai WeChat group, and shared many lunches, and an evening shopping with, the Chineseinternat my company. One of my flatmates even went for lunch with an expat she locked eyes with on the street. Sadly, no great romance came of it, but, you never know, there’s someone out there for everyone.

They say patience is a virtue, and I say it’s one required. In life in general, but especially when you’re outside of your norm. There are times when you’ll look silly and/or stick out like a sore thumb and that’s okay. Embrace it and laugh along. There’s nothing like a genuine smile to break the ice.

Stacey is aBritish CouncilGeneration UK Program participant. If you're ready to put her immersion tips to the test, you can apply for a Generation UK Program with ushere.

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From September 2026, CRCC Asia has been rebranded into CRCC Global.

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