Moving to China was the best decision I ever made. I want to hear about your stories, did you have a time in your life where you took a leap of faith and are so glad that you did?
Most foreigners I know who live in China now were once reluctant to come because they thought the rampant propaganda and lies in the Western media to be true but they love it once they enter the Country as it is beyond their expectations.
As time goes on, you will have a subversive impression of China. What you see now is only the surface. As a person who has gone through the world, stick to your inner guidance, as your father said
I wish I were young like you and move to China. I am almost 80, a bit too old to start off to a new adventure. Ha ha.. Congratulations on your decision.
haha, its never too late for a adventure, just like Bilbo Baggins. BTW, we China is a country that honors the old siginificantly, so, come alone, and we are alwasy welcome friendly visitors regardless to age or gender.
Hi, I am an Chinese interior designer in Ireland. Thank you for building a bridge for the exchange and communication between Chinese and Western cultures. I also hope that more self-media will join this team. Everyone can express their true views on what they have seen and experienced with their own eyes.
It's amazing how much personal growth you can experience when you take yourself out of your comfort zone. I can relate to many parts of your story. I think it is great that you made a life for yourself in another country and people should be happy for you.
@@teongbengang9515 Hi Teong. Thank you for the reply, however, I would just like to state that personally, I do not think anyone should either loathe nor admire others based solely on their race. I feel that we should take each person as an individual - basing either positive or negative opinions on people due to race, or stereotyping a race either positively or negatively, in my opinion, is not the best thing to do in 2020. Just my personal thoughts, I hope you don't take offence to this. Have a Merry Christmas and (hopefully) a better 2021!
@@petercalhoun5837 i have seen a lot racist words from you to China, hopefully you respect your self as a human being , don’t be a asshole . You are not welcome to China.
@@weizhang2834 men gotta have sex and marry. what the hell were you expecting from us? Strong white men coming to China and taking Chinese women is the only natural outcome. You are an economic migrant just like everyone else.
Thank you, Oli, for your inspirational story, it has great value to me at this particular moment. As a frustrated father, I have been tortured by this anxiety that my son is not going to have a successful life, since he has some ADHD problem and could not focus on academic subjects. He is intelligent, for no doubt, but his behaviour is always different from other kids at their age, and he always brought home really bad grades. Growing up as a model student and a model employee who has always been meticulous in every task and every decision, I counld't help worring that my son will fail to get a college degree, fail to get a job, and fail to have his own family. Your story told me, life is a wonderful journey and full of possibilities, if you don't see the flower bloom, it's simply not the time yet.
I have dealt with child that have ADHD, and let me tell you. They are the smartest. They are so unique, they just need to find their interest and don't let your perfection get in his way of discovering what he wants. There will always be a way.
@@AmelieZh thank you, that means a lot to me. Yes, I should not let my standard of perfection block his exploration of his own interest and strength. It will never be too late to learn, this is the case for him, and also for myself.
You have every parents worries,we all go through it,there destination will only come from as parents we can only take a back seat and support them,I have a son and daughter,she went to university and become a environmental scientist, my son who I was more worried about,went from a labourer on a building site to know having his own construction company,both did not Excell at secondary school ,but both gone past my expectations,
I have ADHD as a kid and I still do. It was bit a struggle for me to focus on classes and I had difficulty socially as I always speak out of terms. But it is really is a blessing digused as misfortune. After lost job twice due to I am unable to focus and erratic behaviour in work. I started my business. I became successful and started my own family. Part of my success is due to ADHD as I can really think outside of box and have an incredible ability to relate to people and have an incredible drive to achieve my goal. It is a difficult journey. I have had unconditional love and support from my parents especially my mum. Against all odds, I am doing well. As a parent u just need to love ur child and he will find his way. As Oli's story tells u, go find ur own path and try do something differently, u never knows what awaits u around the corner. I am glad I am not normal and just follow the crowd. Get a normal job and get along with everyone. This just makes u average and average life does not really amounts to much these days
Barrett channel I ❤️ most. China one of the safest country in the world. Hope in future I will go to China and meet with all my favourite youtubers ❤️.
@Gaylord Manlove III Canada is surely the safest place for Canadians. As of now 16000 Canadians are officially "gone" forever, thanks to the Trump Virus. The two Michaels are definitely wanting to take a deeeeep breath of the Ottawa breeze lol
As a Chinese American, your vlogs give me an interesting perspective of the country I left twenty years ago. I truly enjoy the scenes and narratives of these vlogs. Keep up good work. Wish you the best. Thank you for sharing your personal story with us.
Thank you OLi for sharing this very touching story about your young life. You were really lucky that you made up your mind in not returning to England. Otherwise, you would surely find your life upside down in these past nine months while seeing no end of it. With a character like yours, I would say you will find very depressing. You're also lucky to have a good dad that he could give you support when you were in difficult time and when you were in a strange place. Wish you all the best!
So proud of you didnt jump on the plane back twice , especially the second one ... now you are rewareded by your hard work and your faith in your decision ! GoGoGo Barrett!
Happy to hear that you have better live now in China, I am a malaysian chinese, thank you for vidoe to tell the world a true China looks like, and u are still very young, u will face many many decision point along your life later, hopefully your Channel wouldn't turn into become like SerpentZA in future. Wish you an your family and your youtube channel getting better and better.👍💪
@@i3D They don't lie? Then why did they REMOVE the huashan videos where they were denied from climbing the mountain. I know you don't pay attention, unlike myself, so such details go over your empty head.
@@wittmorgan8023 extremely extremely basic. Quite underdeveloped considering the time he's been there. Still saying "hello" to people in china when a "ni hao" would suffice is just strange
I’m Chinese living in Japan.have been watching your channel since you started it! Thank you for sharing your positive and real China to the world. Could be your guide when you visit Japan(of course free lol) sorry for writing in English here( Chinese might be more better I thought)
It’s not luck. It’s wisdom from Lee. Wise man works not only hard and smart, but also follow the trend. Lee is the one found and caught the trend. Glad to see you follow the steps of such a wise man.
I have been following your channel since the cheap haircut episode in Shenzhen. It's been a sea change since then. Your eyes are full of confidence and purposes now. Keep up the good work.
Thank you very much for introducing us to know the new China. You are so brave to make the decision to stay in China when Covid19 started. Hope you can enjoy your living in wherever you live in China and God bless.
I met a lot of people in Beijing back to 2008, 2009 who came from England , America, Australia,Canada and moved to China after the financial crisis in the western world, and they got a much better life in China and returned all of their debts in their countries. I remember they kept telling me how safe China is but I didn’t realize until I study abroad. Thanks for your telling your audience personal stories which means you are such a wonderful , smart guy who should be very proud of yourself to make a very important decision in your life
I totally got your feeling. Sometimes we just feel stuck somewhere and no idea what to do. I left China a few years ago, now I am thinking going back since I gradually realize what is more important to me.
Thanks for sharing your journey. I believe most of us will go through, going through, and have gone through your phase of confusion and strong internal conflicts and rebelliousness. I did when I graduated from my 2-year Community College in California, which meant little values. I continued onto an university, majored in Psychology, with the intention to understand who I am and why I am the way I am......Why am I gay....Why was I constantly being bullied despite being a decent human being. I dropped out of school for four years then reentered the University with the encougement of my folks. I was doing part time work and school for four years, studying and taking care of elderlies. Learning this a bachelor's degree in psychology also was not special, I moved into grade school and enrolled in a Master's Program, then later on switched to a PhD candidate....When I was trying to nail myself to the plank to write my dissertation, I also needed a 6-month internship at a reputable firm. Amazingly, my classmate from Albania found an internship opportunity in Shanghai. I had a lot of doubts but I chased it, since it would only last 6 months. By the time it was 3 months being an intern, my boss offered me a job, while pushing me to continue to finish my PhD. That was 17 years ago. I never had the patience, detail orientation, councianciousness and resilience to finish my PhD, however the job offered me real world working experience right away as an Industrial Organizational Psychologist. As of today, I worked with clients from all over the world and been to 44 coubtries, lived in the U.S., UAE and enjoyed the luxuries of life.....Flew countless times on Emirates A380 business class and showed in the first class at 40,000 feet, then stayed at the Burj Khalifa for a week, the world's tallest building. I splurged on pretty much all the expensive hotels in Shanghai.....It was amazing and my friends were very happy and even a bit envious of me. However, as with all things in life, they are transient. I have lost my United State's connections with family and friends. We do not have a common language any longer. I hope this does not happen to you because you and I both most likely won't be able to stay in China for good. I cut down and simplified my lifestyle and chose not to work this year but to study Chinese calligraphy, which is amazingly calming and meditative. I trust the Chinese system of governance, with how effective the country is managing COVID. I see and feel hope, smiles, kindness. There are the bad days but if I chose to leave China to go back to the U.S. when Pompeo lured the U.S. citizens back, I would be in shackle now. But the guilt could be overwhelming when I think about my relatives and friends suffering from the crumbling of various societal systems, which I foresaw almost 13 years ago after I compared the U.S. with China. I bet you are having some difficulties explaining why China suits you better than the U.K. Anyway, grab Mandarin regardless you love it or hate it, including the writing system. Expand beyond RU-vid when you can to make you stand out more than other foreigners. You know how the Chinese value education. All things considered, if financially feasible, get a MBA from Tsinghua or Beijing University. I swear it will help you tremendously after the grind and pain.
Thank you for share your journey buddy. Greeting from a Chinese American cop in Texas. I left China in 1991 as age of 27, I built my life in Texas. I married my wife in 1992 here and we built a life together in US. Now I am a police Lieutenant and my agency paid for my doctor degree. We raised two children. Both are at University of Texas now, third year and fresh year. We love our life in Texas.
Good video, i was always wondering about your path as well as your Dad's!!! I've been following you since the start of covid, very eyes opening experience... Hearing you, it all make perfect sense. Far away new adventure always "recalibrate"!!! You make a great team with your Dad, I wish I had that kind of Dad too! say hi to your mum!!!
thank you for your support! we need to buy this guy a beer because he shows everyone how easy they have it in China! Women and high-paying jobs haha! China for everyone!
A typical English young man, but lucky enough to have a pa who knows China well, with great determination and courage to struggle for a brighter life, and hopefully find a good way out. Congratulation!
Glad to know that you’ve turned your life around,for the better, and out of all places you did it in China. Stay strong and the sky is the limit. I’ve always enjoyed the items you share on You Tube, very interesting and educational . Keep on keeping on Mate, Cheers and God Bless
Thank you for sharing your story. Really enjoy the channel. Started watching you guys from the end of January. I remember those COVID updates. Yeah...things weren't really working out for me in my home country of Barbados. I was a primary school teacher for 11 years before I left teaching to make my side-job my main hustle and became a free lance videographer. Jobs were sporadic at best and I started to struggle financially. But I happened into an opportunity to teach in Shanghai and I took it. Massive leap of faith but I was desperate. Looking back on it now I'm glad I took the leap. Best decision I ever made.
You have done very well Oli, best wishes with your new life in my ancestral homeland. Meanwhile in the not so jolly London we are in Tier 4 lockdown! :(
I was like you the year after I graduated university. I was freaking lost. I even had a good job(in the media field) but my health was deteriorating, so I stalled for half an year, volunteered, and now I found my interest in social science and social policies. Never stop self-discovery, we could lead multiple paths until we find the one we preferred to walk on, may it be rocky or smooth.
Early Chinese fan here, I am so happy about what you have achieved so far. Keep up the great work and tell the great stories about China and your own life to the world. Thank you very much for your works.
@@petercalhoun5837 well sorry I just forgot you can't come to China or even leave your home. So, problem solved. stay where you are and keep other safe. No need to think about it (with whatever your have...)
@@michaeljiang960 why are you even on this channel? this barrett is gonna find a chinese wife and make a little barrett with her, too. you got a problem with that? why the hell would anybody want to move to china if not for women and money?
Thanks for sharing a great insight into how it all began. I too have a similar story to you about leaving the Uk and moving to China. Would love to share it with you soon. My life is about to change again as we move back to China in July from Abu Dhabi. Actually I am moving to Shenzhen small world. Keep doing what you are doing my wife and I enjoy following you and your dad.
you do a very good job. we support you and your dad. hope you keep going. God Bless you two....enjoy your channel..thanks for telling the truth about the reality in China.
Feels great to know a bit more of you. Almost feels like i was sipping on my latte while having a little chit chat with you in this coffee shop.Thanks for sharing ! Didn't know you and Lee are son and father when i first watched your videos 😂
Thank you Oli for your words that really touched the heart of my hearts. You have now shown us that you are a great man and you will certainly achieve more than you could imagine in a land of wisdom and civilisation, which is China.
Being someone born and raised in Shenzhen and now living in HK, I really love your story and channel. Been stuck in hk for almost a year without seeing my parents, and I really miss Shenzhen. Wish you success with your channel, I think we need more people telling the China story, COVID changed everything. Anyways, first time ever I comment on RU-vid. Peace.
Thanks for sharing, your life has changed 180c within 2 years wow. I always keep positive thoughts, everything happens for a reason, the good, the bad. If those "bad" things didn't happen, then you would've never been in this "good" situation. Everything is kinda linked in life. The last minute flight back to UK must been the hardest decision to make. A Life changing decisions. Glad it went well 👍
I started to pay attention to you when you were recording videos while walking in Shenzhen. Thank you for putting aside your colored glasses and truly bringing the China you saw to the world!
I started watching you guys sometime around Dec 2019 & it was really refreshing to hear from fellow Brits who are on the ground in China telling your perspective on the HK situation & being able to eloquently convey your experiences objectively. Then when covid hit, I was virtually glued to youtube everyday in anticipation for your updates & you guys did a fantastic job with keeping everybody informed. It was calm, detailed & no bullshit. Unlike the MSM with their disgusting sensationalized, condescending reporting. Although it's no secret MSM has no love for China, but I have never in my years seen such racist, vile, callous & evil news reporting, absolutely no journalistic integrity whatsoever! & they're still at it! The daily fake news are relentless. Just had to get that off my chest. Anyway, you guys are doing a fantastic job & here's wishing you both a prosperous future & have a great Xmas😁.
“MSM” compromises 100s of media publications across tens of countries. Saying they are all anti China is just flat out wrong. It’s clear you have zero idea what you are talking about. And you want measure “ objectivity”, screw off you tool
@@Lobstersaladyum Nice lack of argument. Already confirms to me you fools have zero concept of anything relating to political machinations, or even Chinese history, language and culture.
@@orangesoul4289 Oh so you came here looking for an argument. What a sad, sad jealous lil person you are. Go cry to into your pillow & keep watching your favourite "MSM" 😂
Been here since you were at 8k subs and I love the content. I was fortunate enough to go to China two years ago after meeting my Chinese gf. I never really liked college either but still went and got my degree, and decided that I needed a completely new change. I never expected to end up in China but now I can see that it’s opened so many new opportunities for me and my life would be much different if I had decided to stay in my hometown instead of going out and trying new things.
Hi Ollie, thanks for giving us some of your back story. I am 72 years old and have been following you and your dad since before COVID and I love seeing glimpses of every day life in that amazing country. Like you I have taken many paths in life (over 40 jobs) before settling on something and seeing it to the end, and it has been a fantastic life. I have travelled much but my only regret is that I have not yet seen China. This something that I will fix over the next 5 years. Keep doing what you do so well. Thanks for providing balance and humanity. 👍👍👍
I've been struggling if I should go back to China. Your video inspires me and have me more motivation to move back. Thank you for sharing your experience!
I have been watching some of your videos introducing how and what China really is to the world. Really wanted to say a big thank you. This video in particular really touched me that I want to make a comment. Everyone’s life path is different and these always up and downs, problems that we need to solve along the way; solving those problems will see us a capable person in this world. I am happy for you. And, please, do make more videos, watching your video reduce my homesick problem as well and I guess the world need to know more about China from video like yours rather than some medias that tell fake staff. Cheers
Mr. Barrett, you missed you flight back home...... but meanwhile caught a life-changing opportunity that most people has no courage to even try. Just LOVE your story! Please keep the great things up! LOVE and support from Canada. Merry Christmas!!