For most of us expats, moving and living abroad is a great adventure that is made all the sweeter by the return home. But for some of us, returning home just leaves us wanting more of that expat life. This was the case for Rebecca and Dan Carter.
This is a concise timeline of Rebecca and Dan Carter’s time in China.Rebecca Humphries: Shenzhen: 2014-2019
Dan Carter: Shenzhen: 2016-2019
Rebecca & Dan Carter: Shanghai: 2019-2021
Rebecca & Dan Carter: UK: 2021-2023
Rebecca & Dan Carter + Wulfric: Beijing: 2023-present
Between 2021 and 2023, the couple returned to the UK because of Covid, but after two years of a less-than-satisfactory lifestyle, they returned to China only this time to the capital city. Jingkids International talks to Rebecca to welcome the family to the ‘Jing.
Please introduce your wonderful family to us.
My name is Rebecca Humphries. My husband Dan Carter and I met in Shenzhen in 2016 when we worked for the same public school. Our son Wulfric is 20 months and we call him Wulfie/Wulf. He was born in the UK. Since 2020, we also got two Corgi dogs, which we have moved to the UK and then back to China with us. Crazy!
So, what brings you to Beijing?
We left China in August of 2021 because of Covid and also because we missed the UK. When we went home, we immediately regretted it because we had a worse lifestyle, [and]less safety and money. Still, we got married, had a kid, and spent two years trying to make the UK work for us. Then we came back because we missed China. My husband is a teacher at Haidian Foreign Language School and is starting his PGCE in September. I am a stay-at-home mom (SAHM). We chose Beijing because we get itchy feet and like moving about and seeing new cities.
How does Beijing compare with other first-tier cities in China?
We both prefer Beijing, the reasons being:
1. Beijingers seem friendlier.
2. The weather is marginally better than in Shanghai and definitely better than in Shenzhen.
3. The city seems more open as the other two cities are more built up.
4. There is also more history and more to do here, though we did like the former French concession in Shanghai and the Bund.
In many ways, tier 1 cities are the same – big and metropolitan with a large expat presence – but each has its different nuances to the city culture.
You’ve been busy in Beijing and co-organizing the upcoming INN survival event. How did you get involved with that, and why?
I went to a coffee morning when I first arrived in an attempt to meet people. Mary was asking for volunteers and I had a lot of free time on my hands as I don’t work, so I volunteered. Over time I helped arrange many coffee mornings and munch meetups and then we decided to arrange a big event to welcome people to Beijing.
I see that you’re expecting another baby. When are you due and how has being pregnant in Beijing been?
I am due in mid-September. Being pregnant in Beijing has been both better and worse compared to the UK. It’s harder to find maternity clothes that fit me on Taobao (I’m 182cm tall). The care is better here. But the heat is killing me. It’s so hot most days that I am just a big hot grumpy pregnant lady.
My advice is to look into your options regarding care. You can get brilliant prenatal care IN ENGLISH at public hospitals. Also, not all public hospitals are equal. The ones I have been going to are clean and private, but I have been to ones that aren’t, and I recommend shopping around and visiting first. Get a feel for the doctors.
We’ll be interviewing Rebecca in a separate follow-up article about her experience giving birth at a local public hospital, so stay tuned! In the meantime, if you’re new to Beijing or simply want to meet new people in the city, come on down to the Arrival Survival event on Aug 17!
Images: Courtesy of Rebecca Carter
