Living abroad isn’t always smooth sailing. For Aussie expat Jonas Groom, the path from Sydney’s inner west to Beijing’s classrooms and now Hong Kong’s buzzing streets has been anything but ordinary.

Jonas grew up in a family steeped in languages, history, and culture. With parents who valued education, travel, and the arts, it was no surprise that he jumped at the chance for a high school exchange in France. That trip planted a seed—there was a world beyond Sydney waiting to be discovered.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in French and History, Jonas made the bold decision to move to Beijing in 2018. He began teaching English, but quickly realised his real education was happening outside the classroom. Daily life forced him to learn Mandarin, connect with locals, and navigate a culture vastly different from home. Eventually, he even became a tour guide, using his love of history to bring Beijing’s past to life for visitors.

Then came Covid. Jonas found himself stuck in Sydney, teaching classes to seven-year-olds over FaceTime. It was tough, but it also gave him time to reflect on the next chapter. He enrolled in a Master of International Business at the University of Sydney, setting himself up for a career that combined his language skills and cultural understanding with global business.

Fast forward to 2023, and Jonas took another leap—moving to Hong Kong without knowing a single person. The transition wasn’t easy. He admits the first months were lonely, but persistence paid off. He built new friendships, leaned into the expat community, and even grew a social media following through his humorous attempts at learning Cantonese.

From mixing up tones (“I’m from Sydney” vs “I’m eating you”) to mastering local street food menus, Jonas’ story is proof that being willing to laugh at yourself goes a long way in building connections abroad.

For Jonas, expat life has been an adventure filled with highs and lows, cultural discoveries, and personal growth. His advice to others? “Go for it. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but it’s worth it.”

‍