I was born in Shanghai and educated in China and Paris. Afterwards, I returned to China where I worked at the Consulate General of France and the Québec Government Office in Shanghai. This is where I learned about the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ ̶ Québec experience program) which facilitates the steps towards obtaining permanent residency for foreign students completing a study program in Québec. The job also led to me taking 3 business trips to Québec during which I grew fond of Greater Montréal. So, when my husband and I decided it would be best to leave China, I enrolled for a master’s degree in international relations at a Montréal university. This was 4 years ago.
Here we enjoy a good quality of life. Shanghai is overpopulated: there, people live on top of one another and life is very restricted. Here, I feel like I can slow down my pace. I feel free to do whatever I want.
What also impresses me here is the democratic nature of the work environment ̶ in China, it’s extremely hierarchical. I work for a public cultural institution where everyone can speak freely. The boss truly listens to us and everyone jokes around with him. It’s a very relaxed environment!