Black and Abroad: Jerome

kmarietakeshanghai

I am so excited to share this interview with you all! Please enjoy getting to know my friend JEROME and learning a little about his experience being “BLACK AND ABROAD.”

 

Let’s do a quick introduction:
1. What’s your name, where are you from, and how long have you been in China?
My name is Jerome Moore. I am from Nashville, TN. I have been in China for six months now.
2. Are you single, married, have any children? I am single and have zero kids lol
3. What brought you to Asia- more specifically China?
I partnered with a California based company to lead their new educational and community development in Xiamen, China. I always been interested in the Chinese culture and history.
Now we have a little background information about you lets dig a little deeper!
Breaking and Crushing:
1. In your opinion – what do you think are some of the biggest stereotypes we (generally speaking – though I know you don’t speak for everyone) face as people of color living abroad – here in China? This is tough lol, I would say one of the stereotypes is people don’t associate blackness with America, so they assume I am from the continent of Africa or my parents. 
2. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced living here? The biggest challenges I have faced would be the lack of food options lol and finding the best ways to inform my Chinese colleagues on how other parts of the world view China.  
3. How do you think we are crushing stereotypes- if we are at all? I think as Black individuals, who are doing great things abroad and helping people in different capacities, we are crushing stereotypes on a micro level through personal connections.  On a macro scale, I don’t think we are crushing anything due to the fact we consistently perpetuate the negative stereotypes that are pushed through mainstream media ( tv, movies, entertainment) which is the only connection other countries like China have a way of getting to know Black Americans.
4.  Knowing what you know now- about life in China and being here as long as you have been here, would you still have moved here knowing what you know now? Yeap, I would definitely move to Xiamen, China specifically and Hong Kong.

#LIC – Let’s talk a little about Life in China! There are definitely some positives about being here.

What are three things you like about living in China (if you can think of three). The culture, business opportunities, and cost of living

What do you do for fun with your free time? Go to the movies, link up with other black Americans and foreign peers, go to the beach, set new goals, talk to friends back home, workout, and work on this awesome series, “Black Americans Making Their Mark: Stories Abroad” lol.

Has it been hard for you to meet people and make friends here? No, it hasn’t. I have lived in two other countries before so adapting in easy at this point.

What do you do for work here in China? I partner/contract with an educational and community development center. I work with youth, adults, and local community business.

Food- Food makes the world go round!

  1. How has your food journey been here? It’s been ok, as a mentioned before I mostly cook. Chinese food has its pros and cons, but they do have some westernized non-fast food places to select from.
  2. Have you tried anything here that you love that you don’t have at home? No, I haven’t had anything that I just loved here lol. Everything has been “aite”
  3. Have you tried anything here that you absolutely hate and hope to never eat again? Most certainly lol. I don’t mind trying everything once though.
  4. How is shopping for food here for you? They have store called the METRO where I can buy most of the things I can find at home. I eat out maybe once a week no more than twice. I try to cook and save money.

Access to travel – A lot of people move abroad because of the access to travel to other countries. Let’s talk about this!

  1. China is huge!!! Have you been to any places in China? Are there any places in China you would like to visit? Yes, I have been to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Fuzhou. I want to visit Tibet Mongolia and Beijing or Shanghai, not both.
  2. Have you visited any nearby countries since you have been here? Where did you go?Haven’t had the chance to visit nearby countries yet but I am traveling to Italy this August.
  3. What cities/countries are on your list ??? Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and Spain to name a few.

One Last thing-

If you could share one thing with everyone about life what would it be.

Do what makes you happy and if you aren’t doing that now develop an exit strategy from where you currently are, that will put you in the position to be happy.

Thanks so much for joining me on my blog! Many blessings.

…. a few pictures from Jerome’s travels…

 

I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY!

I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’ 

(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4-Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.

#FearlessinShanghai #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

Jerome is currently jammin to “Harder than Ever” – by Lil Baby

but….. his favorite artists are – –  Lil Boosie and Webbie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxrJLAeNg80&list=PL67qQAGFJtEcw8bAFePKdo6s-AzYk0L5o

 

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Published by kmarietakeshanghai

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