u/Due-Independent2118

This follows my previous post. Be warned: I will share more planning details than before, so on that note:

TL;DR I must try, which means I am crafting a plan to work in healthcare in China.

I am in my first week of studying Chinese. So far, it’s only an app called MyMandarin and I’ve got Anki decks ready, but I’m looking for a Chinese class to help me get underway so I can aim for HSK4 and above. I am also trying to repeat phrases at my job on my own time. For expats who made the jump, what were some of your language study methods? I’m working on Medical Mandarin too.

Then comes my own field I’m aiming for. Healthcare.

I am 27, I’m young and people my age would pivot careers at this point. This is relevant because looking into the Chinese college scene, I noticed “age gates”. I sent four emails to medical schools in China, asking about their requirements and my approach. Over the past four years, I shifted toward local healthcare because my original industry collapsed. Given that time isn’t on my side, I’m ready to bust the door open and hit the ground running.

At this point, I am aiming to advance by focusing on a niche they require. I know there’s an exam I have to take over there that’s all in Mandarin, including medical Mandarin. Additionally, I’m aiming for schooling where I’m at in case undergrad is out and grad is in. Basically, my undergrad is worthless, and I’m aiming for a new degree or continued education so it can be in my field for their grad schools. 

Given my case, are there scholarships or a path to pivoting I can try? How would I make my case stand out? Any advice on what HSK levels they need? So far, Hebei Medical is my top choice, followed by Xuzhou and Harbin Medical. I should be hearing from them soon, email wise.

If that pans out, I’m still going to take the exam in question, but I’m aiming for UnitedFamily and other private and international hospitals. How do I get my name out there and start networking as I am starting my journey? I am aware they need a skill a “local” can’t do. But they didn’t say English is the only skill locals can’t do. It requires a niche, so working from that logic, how do I make myself in said niche be something a “local” can’t do?

I want information on this and the paths, not any comments to say “steer clear of it”. I’m serious.

We’ve all seen posts of people wanting to move to China for work and even asking for logistics for their career path, like language and skill building. People always mock and say with pessimism that they would be a basic English teacher? While it is understandable, most people don’t want to teach, they want to continue their skills abroad. When it’s another country, it’s fine, but if it’s China, I always see people on here and around that say it’s a very bad idea, mock them for it, even dismiss it and accuse them of trolling.

Why?

If their heart is dead set on this, why the hostility? Maybe they value the tech, the trade-offs are worth it from their upbringing, so on… I don’t get it.

I’m starting my journey since last night. I want to try and become an expat for my career. But the testing I have to know when I’m ready and what to expect for the test structure itself.

I started learning my first words yesterday as a serious commitment to what I want to do. When do you know I’m ready to be tested?

I mean if they went to college in engineering or healthcare, why are they forced into English teaching? Isn’t it backwards? You have a degree to apply your knowledge in your field, not cheapen it.

Given the news last month about the refunds for the deposits and the FCC, do we have any release date or updates on this?