Limitless Laowai — Expat Life, Business Strategy, Personal Development Cultural Adjustment in China | Learn Chinese

An authority on international education, Jason is currently the Managing Director for ELS Educational Services (ELS), a subsidiary of Berlitz Corporation and Benesse Corporation, one of the world’s largest education holding companies. ELS prepares thousands of students each year for university success in partnership with over 650 universities and 83 campus locations world-wide. Jason is responsible for all aspects of ELS’s operations in Mainland China and Taiwan and brings with him over 15 years of global education leadership experience. Today Jason is going to share with us the wisdom and perspective he has gathered while living in and working with China for the past 24 years.

Eva has lived in Shanghai for a year and a half with her family. They moved to Shanghai for her husband's job and she has continued in her role as president of a medical communications company based in the US. Their clients are biotech companies and the focus of the company is research and education in oncology and hematology. Today Eva is going to share with us what it's like to manage a virtual company from overseas while holding down the fort at home in Shanghai.

To date, I’ve interviewed over 60 expat leaders all over China for the Limitless Project. With each interview, I sit on my end of the mic ­– expectant – actively soaking up unparalleled wisdom, perspective and insights from combined decades of life and work experience. It’s the best job… ever. It’s time to gather my thoughts together, though, and share some of the golden nuggets I’ve been blessed to obtain from hours upon hours of engaging interviews. I chose this as the first topic because it hits home – hard! I’ve personally made every one of these mistakes, each time necessarily picking up the pieces of broken relationships, shattered business opportunity, and let’s just say it, shards of splintered face.

Born in a refugee camp at the Thai frontier, a week after her parents finally escaped the civil war which killed one fourth of the Cambodian population, Christine grew up in France in a difficult environment, with the dream of becoming a writer. In 2005 after she graduated, Christine left Paris for Shanghai and has been based in China ever since. Her China journey has taken various twists and turns that have shaped Christine into the accomplished public speaker, captivating storyteller, martial arts instructor and writing coach that she is today. Now Christine shares her experience and life lessons to inspire and motivate others to choose courage and go for their own dreams.

Winston, known better as "SerpentZA" has been making YouTube videos about China for years, and was in fact the first person to start vlogging from within mainland China. Sharing insight, adventures and practical knowledge of how to adapt and survive in China as a foreigner, he enjoys helping others and showing people what China is really like while breaking old stereotypes.

Scott is a father of four kids and a software developer from the United States. He and his family have been in Shanghai for almost 2 years. His wife, Sarah, works as a Human Resources manager for Ford Motor Company and their children attend both Shanghai American School and Dulwich College. In this episode, Scott talks about adjusting to life in Shanghai as a supporting spouse, including making the best school choices for your children, and how he has learned how what he thought was going to be a sacrifice has actually turned into a fantastic opportunity.

Derek has lived all over world. Born in Bogota Colombia, he has lived in 9 countries, 4 continents, and moved 34 times in his life. He has moved with his present company, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, twice around the world and Shanghai is his second stint working in China. In this episode, Derek covers respect, getting things done in China, and simple tips to keep work and family in balance.

In my interviews, I hear it over and over again – success as an expat depends greatly upon your community, on how willing you are to dig in and dig deep with those around you. There’s no such thing as a successful ‘lone ranger’ here or anywhere else in the world for that matter; life sometimes just hands us burdens too heavy to shoulder on our own. This week, I was the one in need of help and I experienced miracle after miracle, angel after angel, who turned my desperate situation into an uplifting and empowering message on the unbelievable power and impact of a strong community. Tune in to hear how a number of real-life angels swept in and saved me from the brink of break down.

Karen is Ford Motor Company’s Vice President of Communications for Asia Pacific. In this role, she is responsible for internal and external communications in the more than 20 markets of Ford’s Asia Pacific operation. I had a blast interviewing Karen and capturing her insights on how to operate successfully as an expat executive in China. In this episode she also covers everything from why she said 'no' to China (...twice!) and what helped her she said 'yes' in the end; how she balances career and family life; and why her family is thriving. This interview is simply not to be missed!

Shandy had the privilege of being an expat and supporting spouse for 6 1/2 years. She and her husband Todd, first started in Aschaffenburg, Germany for 3 1/2 years, then moved to Shanghai for 3 years. Their 3 kids have lived longer overseas than they have in the US. The Bolton family repatriated to Canton Michigan in 2013 and Shandy is a busy mama homeschooling her 3 kids again 11, 8, and 4, a new endeavor she embarked upon repatriation. In this episode, Shandy walks us through the past two years of her journey, sharing wisdom and perspective that will benefit you no matter if you're just beginning the repatriation process from China, or have been in the thick of it for years.