"My Chinese Working Day": An Australian's Story

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For a scholar focusing on Australia's public diplomacy, working as a recreational manager in China may never be part of his career path. But Bradley McConachie does have lots to say now about his special experience at a resort in the picturesque tropical coastal city of Sanya in South China's Hainan province.

The 33-year-old Australian is actually a student in international relations completing his PhD through Griffith University. He came to Beijing for a cooperative research at Peking University less than two years ago. Such an academic life was just added color with a chance offered by the cultural exchanges project, "I'm in China".

Bradley was lucky to win the most "likes" for his photo story about his life in China and became one of 20 winners to visit locations after a global recruitment by the project this summer. All the winners' experiences were filmed to produce a reality show, My Chinese Working Day, which will be broadcast by mid-September.

"What I liked most about the experience was it was something completely different that you would never be able to do as a regular tourist," Bradley said in an exclusive interview with chinadaily.com.cn.

Bradley was chosen to work as a recreational manager for a Chinese wedding.

The film crew took them to many "amazing sites" and the staff at the resort taught them a lot about how to "incorporate modern Chinese traits while still keeping traditional customs", Bradley said.

"I would have to say two things stick out as the most memorable: the helicopter ride and talking with the staff at the hotel about how they organize weddings here in China," he said.

That was Bradley's first time to be in a helicopter, and he was too absorbed with the "stunning" view of the beautiful coastline.

"I think it is so important to show other Australians the different landscapes China has to offer. I think so many Australians, when they think about China, imagine the historical sites of Beijing and the exciting things to see in Shanghai but have no idea about other beautiful places, like Sanya or the many other places people have been taken to in this TV series," Bradley said.

As to the Chinese wedding, the ceremony was quite familiar to Bradley, which he said was "very much like any wedding he had been to back in Australia". But it was still "interesting to see how Chinese couples balance the desires of a modern wedding while keeping Chinese traditions", after decorating the wedding suite.

"It was nice to experience these little touches and understand what makes a wedding day so special for a Chinese couple. I was happy to be a part of that experience!" Bradley said.

"I'm in China" is a project sponsored by China Intercontinental Communication Centre and other institutions under the guidance of China's State Council Information Office. It invites foreign natives worldwide to experience unique jobs and participate in activities that one can find nowhere else except in China.

Shooting My Chinese Working Day is part of the project. An online contest to select who gets to be the front-line cultural ambassadors, kicked off on July 31. More than 10,000 photos and articles were submitted from around the globe by over 6,00 applicants, which has earned tremendous web views, likes and shares.

Bradley and his companion, Dorian, are seen by the sea in Sanya, South China’s Hainan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Extracts from Bradley McConachie's interview with chinadaily.com.cn

Why did you choose to come to China and participate in such a cultural project?

I am majoring in international relations and my research is focusing on Australian government-funded education programs, as a tool of public diplomacy in China. The Australian Government funds these programs as they are thought to build relationships and mutual understanding between the peoples of Australia and China. I find it so interesting to talk with Chinese students who have returned to China after studying in Australia and Australian students currently studying in China to find out how their programs have impacted them and their future careers. I came to China to survey students and alumni of these programs to find out more about their in-country experiences. I am a strong believer in education as a tool for breaking down negative stereotypes and building bridges between different nations. China is an incredibly important relationship for Australia’s economic future, yet we have very different cultural and political systems. There is no more important time for Australians to build an understanding of working and living in China than right now. I came to Beijing just under two years ago to work with researchers at Peking University. For me, I could not resist this opportunity to experience a day in the life of a Chinese employee and learn so much about Chinese culture.

Bradley and his companion, Dorian, ride in a helicopter in Sanya, South China’s Hainan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

What are the differences between Chinese culture and your own culture? Any cultural shock during your stay in the past year?

I think what I like most about experiences such as this is the fact that we are not different at all. The more people from different cultures who come together and share what is important to them, the more you begin to realize how much we are the same. Everyone at the resort was enjoying a lovely holiday with their family and friends. The couple was so excited about their special day and just wanted everything to be perfect, which is no different than any couple back in Australia. I liked learning about Chinese culture from the hotel staff as we decorated the bridal suite. It was interesting to learn about different elements of Chinese cultures from displaying red knots and red décor for good luck to spreading seeds and nuts on the bed as a symbol that the couple will soon have children. I think it’s so important for people to keep their traditions and it was nice to share in that with the local Chinese people. For me there was no culture shock at all, although in saying that I have started learning Chinese, so for me I enjoy any opportunity to practice my limited Chinese skills. I think if other Australians were to go there as a holiday destination, the lack of English may intimidate some travelers. This is such a minor thing to overcome, however, as everyone was so lovely and friendly.

An aerial view of the resort is seen from the air. [Photo by Bradley McConachie/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

What are your thoughts about the development of today's China? What's the most impressive aspect to you?

There is no denying the sheer magnitude of China’s development and the impressive strides that have been made in recent times. I first came to China four years ago, which doesn’t seem that long ago, yet even I notice huge changes from when I first arrived. My parents first came to China 20 years ago and the China they experienced then is worlds apart from the China they see now when they come and visit. I think the most exciting element of life in China is the balance of the old and new. I think this works nicely with the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, in which seemingly opposite forces can actually be complementary. I love that one minute you can be walking through Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City or even just taking a stroll through the hutongs eating noodles with the locals and the next be walking through Sanlitun with people from all over the world with anything any other world city has to offer at your fingertips. Coming from Australia, which is such a new nation, it’s fascinating to experience the evolution of a country with such a rich history, such as China. So much is happening in China right now and I wouldn’t want to be living anywhere else.

Preparations are underway for a wedding ceremony held at a resort in Sanya, South China's Hainan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

How long will you stay in China and what's you future plan?

At the moment I plan to return to Australia in December to finish my PhD studies and then I hope to return to China next year. My dream would be to work within education providing students like myself the experiences I have been given. I want to show Australian students what life in China can be like. It’s exciting, dynamic and challenging, but the amount you learn and get out of an experience of living in China is so much greater than students in Australia are aware of.

Source: CHINA DAILY

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201708/31/WS59bb6dcda310d4d9ab7e77f5.html

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