Why did I move to China? 🇺🇸➡️🇨🇳

Come with me on my First Ever GROUP TRIP 👉 trovatrip.com/trip/asia/china...
Trip Info
Dates of Trip: August 19-26th 2024
There are only 20 TOTAL spots available for this trip
Early Bird discount of $200 OFF for the first 8 spots!
Where I got my TEFL certificate:
www.internationalteflacademy....
📹New videos every week!
👍Support my channel:
www.buymeacoffee.com/aleeseli...
📱Stay connected:
Instagram: @aleeselightyear
About me 😜
Hi! I'm Aleese, a 35-year-old Black American living in China
- Born in Michigan, USA
- Lover of Cheese Itz & bike rides
- Been in China for 4 years
- Currently working as a high school drama teacher
📷 My camera:
Sony Zv-1
iPhone 14 Pro
00:00 Intro
1:00 My old USA life
5:42 The choice to be a teacher
7:30 Why China?
12:12 My 1st job in China
13:22 Why I stayed during Covid
14:23 Why I'm staying in China

[@rebeccadavis9005]

I'm moving to Beijing on a sudden job offer this month, your videos are making me feel more excited about this new part of my life!

[@evebrown7977]

I'll move to (close) to Beijing, too. 😅 The city I really didn't want to go to, but the job offer is just too good. 😅😊

[@AleeseLightyear]

You can do it!

[@Alex_k_Q]

@@evebrown7977tianjin I believe it is? Or “rock-hometown”?😂😂

[@USA1-z2m]

@@AleeseLightyeardo you think that you will ever move back to the US or visit back and what do the people in China say about the US???

[@AleeseLightyear]

Watch my other videos! haha I went back over the summer! and YES I will move back, China is not my forever home@@USA1-z2m

[@bingboyify]

no wonder your travel videos are so well produced, you were a professional tv producer!!

[@AleeseLightyear]

a very long time ago!! hahaha

[@hayleybarbara1589]

@@AleeseLightyear it shows! Your videos are great :)

[@p.b.i.1342]

Aleesa are you planning to visit Shaolin Temple in Henan? Make a vlog thx!

[@marymaryquitecontrary]

You're so vibrant, Aleese! I can see you as a writer-articles at first, novels later. I hope 2024 is a springboard to great things for you.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Wow! Thanks for the big love!

[@chi7072]

shit. i didn't realize i've been watching for 4 years. keep going and thank you

[@AleeseLightyear]

4 years!! SO Long!

[@debbee18]

Just discovered your channel today. I love it! Great personality and storytelling. I left the US in 2008 the say way you did, Google search for a job related to travel. I see teaching still comes up. I started in South Korea in the EPIK program and now live in Hong Kong since 2011. I agree with your assessment about the safety in China especially for single women. It has been great! I'm looking forward to viewing more of your content. Cheers!

[@distrustful.000]

I was shocked at your age,you looked so youthful, people of your age skin shrinkled already,but yours looked like early 20s.🎉❤

[@KinWong-uw5xz]

China has many new opportunities for foreigners to work and live. China is a fascinating place to visit.China pays the best in teaching English in Asia.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Agreed!

[@abbyabroad]

It pays licensed teachers from the US/UK even more than the Middle East!! Not when I first came back in 2014 but now, yes! I wish more US teachers knew this 🎉

[@sassclem3190]

It's really brave being able to make such a big decision because unfortunately, not everyone is brave enough to take that leap and continue living a life they aren't happy with. I don't feel like that right now, but I hope if I do, I have your bravery to take that leap and live my life to the fullest!

[@linus631]

You should bring your parent to China, be an eye opening fun trip! 😊

[@andyl3655]

Hi Aleese, I just turned 33 and I also just moved to NYC from Palmy, New Zealand, I also followed you on Instagram..❤ your story really resonates me and it made me wonder if I should keep on looking for other job opportunities or just keep it for another year or two .. honestly coming to the U.S. is a big culture shock to me and I am still adjusting.. I am inches my way to the mid 30 and I just want find a place/job where I feel comfortable. Also I don’t wanna be a quitter so I might just stay and try to work hard for a year or two and see how it goes Really like your content and keep up with the good work ❤

[@voicemuse1620]

OMG, you are cracking me up. Thank you! Feeling a bit down lately. 😂❤

[@Bexy508]

Aw, great video! We are currently getting ready to move to Nantong, China, for August 2024. We have x2 children and I am of similar age to you. We just want to have an adventure with our family while they're young London is suffocating at the moment. I've been watching you since we started looking for places to teach abroad. Just want to say thank you for being real with your videos. As long as you post, I'll be following. 😀

[@jafaiyan1276]

Nantong is a very good city, and you made the right choice. There is great demand for foreign trade

[@Alex_k_Q]

Well a city right next to Shanghai while everything not as expensive, a very wise choice. And believe it or not, China won’t fail you, as long as you work hard, just like the US back in last century when we Chinese all look up to and admire it.

[@taratho1598]

Omg. II also lived in China when I was a child. Make sure they learn Chinese early on if not beforehand. And make sure their teachers aren't allowing them to not learn.

[@MSDS870]

This is a great place for a family. I’ve been here a year. 4 kids and love it.

[@johnd3860]

Hope you will find a husband in Chengdu, one of the, if not the, most livable city in China.

[@remmyjr8983]

Very informative and entertaining. 👍👍

[@AleeseLightyear]

Thanks! 👍

[@andyyinni7451]

Aleese I’m moving back to china end of 2024, move to us since the 80’s after living here all these years was great and now just don’t want be here anymore disappointed

[@Snugglylola7]

@@andyyinni7451 same! Moving back next year from U.S.

[@uwanttono4012]

Aleese，祝您和您的家人新年快乐！

[@mevans3291]

Great video! Keep on pushing ahead Aleece!

[@boxscorewatcher413]

You are a powerful woman. I have doubt you will continue to succeed.

[@okonkwokingsley3334]

Please we want you to take a trip to Harbin (ice city),i saw some videos of the place on KZbin,It was something of a surreal moment for me❤❤❤

[@AleeseLightyear]

Harbin looks incredible but I don't want to be in the cold😏

[@abbyabroad]

PS It sounds like you communicate really well with your family! I stayed in China (back then I was in a small town outside Hangzhou) during the pandemic and my people were NOT happy about it, but I had the same reasons!! My paycheck was never interrupted and I’m a homebody, anyways 😂

[@OguejiDavid-ey4cw]

Aleese, happy lady.❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂

[@FengXiao168]

You can try moving to Guangzhou where has much more Black people living there, you may find your another half ;)

[@millennialx9044]

This is true.

[@jafaiyan1276]

In fact, there are not that many black people in Guangzhou, and not as many as Indians.

[@millennialx9044]

@@jafaiyan1276 I know immigration has taken a toll but when we first visited Guangzhou in 2014, there was a place called Dengfeng district literally called " Little Africa" packed with Africans, the shop keepers said the number was over 100k at that time. I was shocked I hadn't expected to see that many Africans in China. I'm sure the number is less now because of C 1 9 but in 2019 Dengfeng was still filled with Africans but this is population counting by non Asian standards.

[@user-gt3wz8ly4o]

Why she should find her another half be a black people? We are same human regardless of what color of skin.

[@FengXiao168]

@@user-gt3wz8ly4o She already said her mom's wish.

[@kaisaa4318]

Aww we are the same age! 🥰 Never say never, I found my husband in China 😉

[@AleeseLightyear]

Oh wow! Love that for yall!!

[@Spc22819]

First thing first , the edition skills at the beginning are amazing!!!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Thank you!!

[@MonkeyDRogzers12]

the thing about America is the rent is quite high, tax is high, and its hard to save money

[@finchseventysix]

aleese! you are GLOWING! hope you're loving chengdu

[@user-gt3wz8ly4o]

Happy Chinese new year. Glad to hear that you enjoy your life in China🇨🇳.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Happy year of the dragon!

[@MirandaBailey-01]

You're so fun! You are glowing too! Thank you for sharing and your honesty! Would you be willing to do a rundown of the different school systems?

[@Bowen_J]

新年快乐！ U r so funny! Love ur personality so much!

[@debscatena]

I wish you to build your dream wherever life leads you to. Good Luck!

[@AleeseLightyear]

🎉Thank you friend!

[@alwaysme_t]

I love your hair. Did you get it done by someone, or did you do it yourself?

[@walterchin8832]

Funny and informative video.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Glad it was helpful!

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

Happy Chun Jie 👍🎇🧨🧧🏮🐲🐉

[@ronaldchua3197]

How about your bestfriend Mr. John Thomas, where is he right now, never saw his video for while

[@fdoctor79]

Yeah, considering moving abroad and your story/journey is very inspiring! Tfs

[@tasha9786]

This trip sounds amazing! If I didn’t already have other obligations during those dates I’d definitely go.

[@laurasanders5050]

Are you ok Aleece? Haven’t heard from you for a while. Want to just come on here for a rant or opening up vlog? Comforting to hear those

[@MarieZh]

Thanks for the video! Sending you the best wishes for the new year!

[@Noor369ftb]

I love this video 😢❤❤thank you ❤️❤️

[@paulwhitfield2181]

Hey cuz looks like you’re having fun.

[@babytreese]

❤❤❤❤

[@erwinlee2842]

Hilarious Alesse

[@Teaandlilacs89]

I love your videos so much! Been watching a while and I have learned sooo much! Keep going! You are doing great! Much love from Massachusetts! ( hope to see China one day 🙏🛫! ) until then keep Vlogging! 🥰

[@abbyabroad]

I had no idea you started in NYC & in acting/TV production! This is so cool! I appreciate the backstory. It explains your awesome charisma 🥰

[@opaljohnson4762]

Love your spunk girl. Get it there, then come back here to get your boo 😂

[@LuleeKaxX]

新年快乐！！！！Happy lunar new year Aleese!! I wish this year to be joyful, exciting and great in general for you! ❤

[@pengzhang5081]

Happy China 🇨🇳 Chinese loong （🐉） (not dragon)new year = happy China 🇨🇳 Chinese nongli（农历）（not lunar ) new year = happy China 🇨🇳 Chinese New Year ❤❤

[@Jess-th9qe]

I always enjoy your videos, Aleese!! Hope that you will run another tour in China next year as I’m very interested but I already have a trip booked in 2024.

[@AleeseLightyear]

awww thanks so much!! Wish you could join this trip!! But fingers crossed there will be more in the future! Where is your other trip happening instead?

[@Jess-th9qe]

@@AleeseLightyear I will be doing the River Cruise in Europe this October (which will use up all my vacation time LOL). We will embark in Amsterdam and cruise along the Ryan River all the way to Budapest. 😀

[@angelashaske9157]

Love your content. You keep it real. No BS.

[@AleeseLightyear]

BIG FACTS!!

[@marytaberner2875]

You are Amazing!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Wow, thank you!

[@raymondlianto9882]

Inspiring story.

[@AleeseLightyear]

🥰🥰 Appreciate that so much!

[@PC.505]

nice story, thanks Aleese.

[@never4ever386]

I love your necklace! ❤

[@AleeseLightyear]

Thank you!!

[@iamtaoge]

I like your videos.

[@AleeseLightyear]

✨👍

[@kalaweir2967]

Girl come to Cambodia. I'm a teacher here and would love to show you around.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Ohhh amazing! How long have you lived there?

[@TyroneClark-bu7ml]

LOVE YOUR VIDEOS BLACK SISTER AFRICAN AMERICAN HERE FROM THE STATES NEW SUB HERE LOVE YOUR HAIR LATER AND BE SAFE TONY CLARK

[@willow7435]

I’m currently working through getting my TEFL certification through the same International TEFL Academy! I also want to go to China too! Speaking of, could you do a video over your visa process? I hear it can be difficult

[@sramas757]

Love it! When you plan a trip in Shanghai I am there!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Why not Beijing???

[@sramas757]

@@AleeseLightyear It's cool but Shanghai is on my bucket list.

[@kelanymichel]

Hey, great video. Would love to learn more about how you take care of yourself as a Black woman. Ex: hair, skin, clothes, and health. Just wondering how you navigate those things.

[@marytaberner2875]

I would love to live there! I'm sure the culture difference at times can be difficult.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Super difficult at times!

[@distrustful.000]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@rfsignals4313]

Hello Aleese, I am glad to hear that you are enjoying your teaching experience in China. I am also interested in teaching there, but I have some questions about the requirements. Do you need to have a bachelor's degree to teach in China, in addition to the TEFL certificate? I would appreciate your response. Thank you.

[@nikkirevell8306]

People poop on the subway in NYC. The number of times I got on the train in the morning to steaming piles of crap was disgusting. I don't miss NYC at all.

[@Kyuestma]

❤

[@DIYDiaz]

Awesome video per usual! Just throwing it out there, maybe consider teaching English in the UAE. High wages, zero tax, and most living expenses included…AND there’s like 2 men for every woman there! 😂 My mom and I went a few years back and we LOVED it. She said it was raining men 🤣🤣🤣

[@DIYDiaz]

Also it’s very international which gives you variety lol

[@AleeseLightyear]

RAINING MEN👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Sthefaany]

Hi Aleese. In your opinion, the most advantageous job for a foreigner to do in China is teaching English? I really wanted to go into the literary field, but I never see anyone saying anything about it.

[@Alex_k_Q]

Well I’m Chinese so I may have misunderstood the word “literary”, do you mean translating? Or do you mean literature studying? Or do you mean creating? Or if you could tell me what kind of job you are thinking of?

[@Sthefaany]

@@Alex_k_Q I would like to work with book translation, but I am also considering interpreting... so can you tell me a little about these areas?

[@Alex_k_Q]

@@Sthefaany well I’m not trying to discourage you, I’d love to see more foreigners come to China. But based on my own pity little understanding, to do such jobs you need to be extremely fluent with Chinese, and when I mean fluent I mean even better than 星悦, the youtuber @pkulila5658. She is the foreigner I know on KZbin or social media who speaks mandarin the best. Ah I just remembered a Russian girl in THU who is better than Lila, she speaks like a native and even understands ancient Chinese. You may need to be as good as that and it’s not so easy.

[@Alex_k_Q]

@@Sthefaany yet book translating is much easier than interpreting. As long as you can understand what the book says. Though it can make some really funny mistakes. Well one gets to learn right?

[@Sthefaany]

@@Alex_k_Q Thank you very much for the information. I just started college, so I believe I have some time to move towards fluency in Mandarin (mainly because I'm going to study it during college). I will follow the mentioned KZbinr to learn more about the culture and also the language

[@BRICSSCO]

You more stylish now then before you just came to China 🇨🇳

[@Kirimchu]

Me living in New York rn want to move to Japan lol but like as a college student it's so hard 😅🤧 but I really want to move and live there idk why people think it is so cliché🙄 I am also thinking of being a teacher that teaches English and here I am doing nursing which I am doing not so great in and my parents want me to become a nurse that's why I chose nursing but like I wanna move to Japan and teach English and learn to read and write Japanese that's definitely where I see my self as ( I am thinking of changing my career to something but idk just yet because nursing is just not for me) & like I thank you, mom and dad, for giving birth to me but you can't control my life I have some desires too yk. I get that you want me to have a better life but with just an RN degree it won't guarantee that I would be happy with the job or life. There are other opportunities out there where I can make money and live comfortably Rn isn't always the choice. So I am also thinking of getting a degree in English teaching and moving to Japan lol since they also make the most money & live comfortably and Japan has high demand for English teaching and like that I can live there forever and ofc anime 🤪 mom says life is hard in Japan but like where isn't it hard?? even in America, it's hard.

[@AmberSunRays__]

Hi Aleese, I want to move to China this year to teach but my parents are against it. ? Do you have any tips on how to deal with this?

[@guens01]

Show them this video. Then if you're 20, pack up and leave.

[@Alex_k_Q]

Well are you economically independent? If not, stfu and listen to your provider; if you are, just pack your things do whatever you wanna do and send them post cards xD. BTW, in China, we were taught by some China-haters who now got revealed now that Americans (idk if you were American, just impolitely assuming) are very independent when we were young lol

[@jer33.33]

If you are below 30s, just pack and go. Don't worry too much. Learn a little of Mandarin language will help you alot.

[@luckyefosa7381]

Good morning Sis, I'm currently living in South America, Brazil to be precise and I teach English. Just want to ask a question; would you be kind enough to give me some information about teaching experience in China? Thanks. .

[@itoldsunsetaboutme8117]

@luckyefosa7381 dude I am French and I am preparing to go live in brazil I am quite fluent in Portuguese and brazil is my dream country how is the teaching experience there.I just want to live there.

[@charleymikaelson]

Hi Aleese, I would like to know if it's a good idea to travel to Chine during summer ( July or August?) I would like to visit Beijing, Shangai and Hong Kong. I am planning this trip for next year lol kinda early lol !!!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Yes totally fine to travel to China during that time! But mind you it's HOT! And school is out so places tend to be a bit more crowded

[@melkungmelgung9361]

Hello Aleese, I have one question. Have you ever learn Mandarin Chinese and how do you feel about learning it?

[@Snugglylola7]

Girl, Chinese guys are very sweet to their wives. Why don’t you give a try while in China? 😂 good luck, I am sure you will find someone.

[@Speedcubing8]

I plan on going to china! What VPN do you use or recommend?

[@AleeseLightyear]

Astrill VPN and/or Flow VPN are the best in my opinion. Need to pay for both of them, but very reliable.

[@evebrown7977]

200 bucks goes a long way in China!!!! You should snap the deal now!!!!! A few of my family members are like "stay in your race." I'm always like, I'm German and my mom is white, my siblings are white. Your brother married a white woman.....🤣 That's different! 😞 I moved to China when I was 41. Why not? A a super duper left-over, I can do whatever I want, right? I've only one responsibility, really. 😂

[@BRICSSCO]

Did your come to visit you in China?

[@jimmycfchung]

I’ve always wanted to move to Beijing for work. But not much luck finding a job there on the web. I joined some site before n need to pay a fee n was told they will send my cv around China and not came from that. If anyone know of any good and reliable sources please let me know. Thank you

[@vincentnnyc]

aleese: i have watch some youtube channel that mentioned there is large unemployment (big tech companies are laying off ppl, large youth unemployment), bank run, malls/stores closing and real estate bubbles in china vs other youtube channel that praise china about their infrastructure like the efficient clean trains, how safe etc. can you tell us the real deal what is the state of china right now as of Feb. 2024? how is the economy in china right now? do you see alot of store/malls empty or close due to out of business or what?

[@AleeseLightyear]

I'm not a reporter or an economist. That's not the kind of content I want to make my friend. Try some Chinese news websites for info like that.

[@vincentnnyc]

@@AleeseLightyearwell chinese new website are discourage by you know who if they paint a negative report on anything about china. i just want to hear from you if you see it from your own eyes if there are alot of shops that are closed and chinese ppl that you talk to if they are having difficulty finding jobs or recently got laid off?

[@rickace132]

What has changed in China since 2019?

[@user-zf9gl4vu8r]

The biggest problem in China is hard to find a boyfriend，last year，an African American girl I left China for this reason

[@pengzhang5081]

She may be find a Chinese man through douyin or other people introducing

[@freehobiwaterforarmy4767]

Where you now missing ur videos

[@AleeseLightyear]

I'm back babyyyy

[@tobytang3148]

How do you find a full time teaching job in China

[@billlee2983]

Why can't you see yourself getting married in China? It is possible. Nothing is impossible.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Nothing is impossible, but I just haven't found the man for me here....yet?

[@youtubehub8190]

did you force yourself to take time to learn some chinese?

[@northenpeace1111]

The universe knows best and your Soulmate is seeking you. He might be the reason you are in China. Have an open mind

[@foxmulder6810]

Will you marry your boyfriend John this year? 🎉

[@AleeseLightyear]

hahahah yes,our wedding is scheduled for June 2024

[@andujarpain2629]

i think africans would be interested if you interviewed chinese small farmers, who raise chickens, pigs, cows, goats, fertilizer, etc... This would be beneficial. Also, vietnam and thailand. Plus use of drones for midsize and large farms. cheers.

[@kenyup7936]

yep it's for uneducated ppl like you not her

[@AleeseLightyear]

I think you can find another channel for that type of content

[@kenyup7936]

That’s for uneducated people like you not her

[@azharidris7092]

just curious Aleese.. i made a friendly comment and you delete it.. that was really offensive.. i always promote you and in return i get a spit in the face instead.. am un subscribe..

[@Alex_k_Q]

Lmao~ then what’s the point leaving this comment? So we can mock you?😂

[@partyhu]

你知道utube有关键词自动过滤机制吗？

[@AleeseLightyear]

KZbin's comment filter sometimes blocks comments out. Meaning I didn't even see it before they delete it. So it's not me reading your comment and choosing to delete it. What did your comment say anyway??

[@truthseekerforever9122]

Their crime is lower because of the type of punishment that you get.

[@issiewizzie]

What's funny is I'm actually hoping to go to China for a wife, ..the complete opposite to yours

[@AleeseLightyear]

Do you boo....good luck!

[@holybutterfly8495]

democracy vs communist.

[@skysthelimitrai7590]

9:16 common sense is not that common 😂

[@Godbless520]

Happy Chinese new year.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Same to you tooo!!💰🏮🎉

[@caozijian6]

新年快乐

[@shenyun7195]

因为中国没有种族主义. 如果他们对你保持距离. 那只是因为他们害羞

[@hongqingxiang3374]

🙂🙏🙏🙂