Additional Coverage:
- They moved to China for a new adventure. Their 3 kids gained independence — and mom has time for hobbies. (businessinsider.com)
From Qatar to China: An Australian Family’s Global Adventure Lands Them in Hangzhou
For Elisa Orsi and David Sleight, a life of travel has always been the compass guiding their family’s journey. After five years in the desert landscapes of Qatar, the Australian couple, along with their three children, embarked on their latest grand adventure, settling in the vibrant eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou in August 2024.
The decision to relocate from Qatar, where Sleight had accepted a teaching position in 2019, was a natural progression for the family of five. “Usually when people have children, it deters them from travel, but we went completely the other way,” shared Orsi, 37, a stay-at-home mom.
Their time in Qatar served as a comfortable base for exploring the Middle East, with trips to Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt. However, by early 2024, the family was ready for a fresh experience.
“By the time we came back from our summer holiday in 2024, we said, ‘OK, we’re done. We need a change,'” Orsi recounted.
A New Chapter in China
China had long piqued their interest, though neither Orsi nor Sleight had visited. The opportunity arose when Sleight discovered a teaching vacancy in Hangzhou online.
“I was impressed with the natural beauty and how modern the city appeared. I knew China was very well connected by the railway infrastructure, so I wasn’t overly concerned about the location,” said Sleight, 45.
The couple made sure to involve their children, now aged 11, 9, and 7, in the decision-making process early on. “We have a philosophy that we talk to our children, and we keep them informed about the decisions we make,” Orsi explained. They used YouTube videos to introduce their kids to China and their new school, helping to ease any anxieties about the move.
Upon arrival, the family was pleasantly surprised. “We were actually quite shocked to see how clean, how modern, how organized, and how convenient everything is,” Orsi said, noting that the reality surpassed their video-fueled expectations.
The children now attend an international school, where Sleight teaches English in the bilingual program. Their housing search was simplified by the school, which connected them with a real estate agent.
Within ten days of landing in China, the family moved into a four-bedroom apartment, just a five-minute drive from the school. The rent, approximately $790 a month, is covered as part of Sleight’s employment package.
Life in Hangzhou: Safety and Independence
While the language barrier has presented the biggest challenge, with the family relying on translation apps and Orsi learning Mandarin, the benefits of their new life have been significant. Orsi highlights the exceptional level of safety in China as a standout feature. She views the ubiquitous surveillance cameras as a positive, ensuring that “if anything were to go wrong, the issue would be resolved very, very quickly.”
This pervasive sense of security has afforded their children an unprecedented degree of independence. Orsi notes that her kids can now explore their neighborhood freely, something she wouldn’t feel comfortable with even in their former home city of Townsville, Australia. The prevalence of kid-friendly smartwatches further enhances this freedom, allowing children to communicate with their parents, share their location, and even make payments.
Orsi herself feels safe walking alone at night, a stark contrast to her experiences in Australia or her native Argentina. “I have not thought about it twice,” she stated.
A year into their move, the family has fully settled in. Their social circle has primarily blossomed within the school community, connecting them with other parents and international teachers. The longer school days have also provided Orsi with more personal time, which she’s dedicated to new hobbies like piano lessons, gym workouts, and creating content for their YouTube channel, documenting their life in China.
With Sleight on a three-year contract, the family is open to what the future holds. While they might consider another international move, Orsi acknowledges that they could just as easily choose to remain in China, perhaps exploring a different city or school. For now, this adventurous family continues to embrace the rich experiences that their global lifestyle offers.