Come Together 2015

Volunteering at Come Together 2015 on behalf of The ODM Group was a great experience. The festival is an annual charity music festival that brings expats and locals together, supporting the local community and raising an outstanding amount for charity.

The Charities

Being Southern China's largest charity concert, we raised lots of money for Zhuhai Autism society, specialised in educating children with autism. This charity empowers young children with Autism, a great cause and a brilliant festival.

We also raised money for the Charity Promotion Association of Zhuhai, another great cause trickling down through charities around Zhuhai, providing assistance to vulnerable sectors of society.

The Events 

Many of Zhuhai's local bars and restaurants held tents in the food and drinks area from London Lounge to Jewel of India, all collectively raising money from their sales. A wide variety of food and drinks where available, western and eastern.

The Acts this year were phenomenal, bands played throughout the day in Beishan theater, bringing an electric atmosphere to a beautiful venue. The acts ranged from relaxing in the day and peaked towards the end of the event with high energy songs like "Hey Jude". Everyone was encouraged to get on stage and sing along.

I am sure next year will be another successful festival, with the support of companies like The ODM Group and others around Zhuhai, and the support of the local community, this has had a real impact on children in less fortunate situations. 

Keep your eyes open for next years event and be sure to support and have a great time!

My first Few Days In China

My First Few Days In China 

 After recently graduating from university In Cardiff,  I've finally started my next big journey in Zhuhai, China! After recently arriving from a small town (Tamworth) in a relatively small country (geographically), to huge, busy and vibrant country my expectations of being culturally and academically immersed  have not been disappointed. 

This is what motivated me to come here, and to work for The ODM Group to improve and expand upon what I have previously learnt about cultures and business practices. The beginnings of what will one day hopefully set me on a path to a successful career.


Starting my journey off in Hong Kong my initial impressions of China was of a dense, exciting, Multicultural place with massive skyscrapers the like of which I've never seen before. 

After spending one night in Hong Kong I travelled next to Macau a similar place due to its high western influence but a big twist of being very much casino and gambling orientated city that definitely deserved the title of 'eastern Las vegas'. 

Finally it was off to Zhuhai, where I will be living for the next 2 months. When I arrived I found a city with big open green spaces and pleasant beaches contrasting to the claustrophobic manic streets of Hong Kong and Macau. What I wasn't expecting was the vast difference between the post-colonial settlements of Hong Kong and Macau and mainland China . Everything from the food, landscapes, mannerisms and the lack of english speakers all overwhelmed me at first! But now I have managed to take control of the situation and I'm ready to go head first into the remainder of my time China and I can honestly said I'm filled with immense excitement of whats to come.  

My Two Month Internship in Zhuhai, China

My days are numbered here in Zhuhai, China. Now, during my last days it's time to do a review on my experiences in this beautiful country.

As I already wrote about Chinese food, I want to focus on the amazing landscape and and the city of Zhuhai. 

One of the things I will never forget is Chinese nature with its incredible landscapes like on Wailingding Dao. Wailingding Dao is one of Zhuhai's 146 islands and with the ferry about 2 hours away from Zhuhai. There aren't any cars on the island and the air is very good, a pleasure in China. On my Wailingding trip with the other interns, we explored a Chinese jungle path with huge spiders and on its end we found an moldered "Mad-Max-esque" quarry with this flooded gravel pit.

My Two Month Internship in Zhuhai, China

The location of my internship, Zhuhai is a wonderful city. With the Fisher Girl as its landmark and located on the seaside it's an amazing place to be.

Being as the area Guangdong is the cleanest area in China and an economically important place, it is a great spot for an internship, as it's so close to Hong Kong and Macao.

My Two Month Internship in Zhuhai, China

My Two Month Internship in Zhuhai, China

I'll spend my last weekend in China in Hong Kong and I'm really looking forward to the day I'm coming back to China and especially back to the wonderful city Zhuhai. 

In the end I want to thank InternChina to make the last two month possible and especially The ODM Group for this great internship!

See you!

Chinese holidays - Guangzhou trip

As some of you might know, this week it was a special 3-day holiday as the way to celebrate the victory over Japan in the World War II. I have been here for a month already and this holiday was the longest time off work I have had here so far. So I thought it would be a waste of time not to go travelling.

Guangzhou was the right choice for that, one of the biggest cities in China with population over 14 million and lots of tourism attractions, it was a very promising trip. Below I highlighted some of the must-see places.

Chinese holidays - Guangzhou trip

Canton tower

I started off with one of the most famous attraction of the city. One of the iconic buildings that makes up Guangzhou’s famous skyline and is also known as the world’s tallest TV tower.

I would recommend to go to the Four Seasons’ bar on the top floor – one of the best places to enjoy spectacular view on the Pearl Delta River and the whole city, while sipping a drink or two.

Chinese holidays - Guangzhou trip

Beijing Lu

Beijing street is a place to be if you want to shop and practise your bargaining skills. Or simply feel the atmosphere of Asian market stalls and try one of the most amazing street food. Personally, I highly recommend Pekin duck wraps – it is the best snack.

Chinese holidays - Guangzhou trip

To sum up, it was a really great trip and definitely one of the most memorable adventures I have had during my stay in China.

Entering China: The beginning of a 6 month journey.

I've aspired towards China as a place to work and live,  and being an International Business student from a country that once dominated world economics (England), I recognized the economic shift to Asia and anticipated a slice of the economic pie.

This is what motivated me to come here, and to work for The ODM Group, where I excite at the thought of surrounding myself with those more knowledgeable, to improve and expand upon what I have previously learnt. The beginnings of what will one day hopefully set me on a path to a successful career.

My initial impressions of China were of Shenzhen, the rapidly expanding city with ridiculous traffic for a Sunday afternoon. I was not expecting such a vast city with such quantity of skyscrapers, and yet among it all lies tranquil gardens with the echo of traditional Chinese music. The main distraction from the beauty being the extreme humidity, something i was not prepared for!

Shenzhen Lianshuahan Park

After Shenzhen I traveled to Zhuhai, my home for the next 6 months. Here I was pleasantly surprised to find it less chaotic then Shenzhen, but still with a city vibe, and although i have only be here for a day so far I enjoy the idiom of 'jumping into the deep water and learning how to swim' to describe my cultural experience.

Final days in Zhuhai

The day has come for me to leave Zhuhai. It is with mixed feelings that I am saying goodbye to the place that I’ve called home for the last three months. It will be great to finally come home and see my friends and family that I’ve been away from for so long. On the other hand it will be difficult to leave when I’ve met so many amazing people throughout my time here. But as they say – all good things must come to an end.

Guangzhou skyline

I’ve had the chance to experience a lot during these past few months, from visiting tropical islands to exploring metropolises such as Guangzhou. It has been a life changing experience and something that I will never forget. Coming back to China after I graduate is definitely something that I have considered more than once. While the travelling has been amazing, the main reason why I came here was to work. During my time at the ODM group I have gained a lot of professional and personal skills. Having so many nationalities working together really increases your knowledge about different cultures. Working abroad is also something that will look great on my CV and increase my employability in the future.

Yangshuo

Due to the location of Zhuhai in the Pearl River Delta I will get the chance to visit Hong Kong and Macau for the week that I have left here. Taking some time off and travelling before university starts again is something that I am looking forward to.

Whether it’s for working or travelling I hope I get to visit this place again. My time here has definitely opened my eyes for China.

Mt. Jingshan Park, Zhuhai - A Great Sunday Trip!

After 3 weeks spend in Zhuhai, I haven't really explored this city in personal yet. I normally work 10 hours per day, and spend my weekends outside Zhuhai. I therefore decided that it was time to stay a see what Zhuhai has on it's program. 

After another Saturday out having drinks with friends around here, we planned to use our Sunday hiking up a mountain to burn some calories, after lasts nights unhealthy dinner. The mountain is placed inside the Mt. Jingshan Park and leads hikers up to the famous Fisherman statue, looking down at his famous wife, The Fisher Girl, (Symbols of Zhuhai)   

View from the mountain - Half way up

In that fact that people are in different shapes, did we need to hike up the mountain slowly, which typically doesn't fit me, because I love physical exercises etc.. I took advantages of peoples bad shape and took some amazing pictures instead, meanwhile waiting for them.

The girls are posing for a picture - Close to the top

The girls caught us halfway up. Maybe they weren't in such bad shape anyway. 

The Zhuhai Fisherman - Looking for his Fishergirl

We finally reached the top of the mountain, after some beautiful 360 degrees panorama views on our way up the mountain. When we reached the top, we explored the famous Fisherman monument.     

The slide down the mountain 

Everybody was exhausted after the climb, which resulted in taking down the slide of the mountain. We used more than 2 hours climbing up the mountain, and only 5 minutes to come down :) 

This mountain in Mt. Jingshan Park is definitely a visit worth if you are planning to stay in Zhuhai for a while. 

This was another great experience as well. Next weeks trip is going Foshan, and I can't wait to blog about that next time.