Olivier: I want to stay in Yunnan

“Ah, well, I am Swiss, Peruvian or Mexican,” Olivier would say when asked about his nationality. He has curly hair and is talkative. His father is a Swiss diplomat, his mother is Peruvian and he was born in Mexico. He used to study in Australia and is now learning Mandarin in China.

In 2013, Olivier became a waiter at a local hotel in Queensland. The hotel often received Chinese guests who mostly came to Australia for sightseeing. One evening, a Chinese guest called reception for help. The hotel manager told Olivier to serve the guest. Olivier could not speak Mandarin and had many difficulties communicating with the guest. It was then that he thought of learning Mandarin.

In 2015, Olivier decided to study in China for one or two years. After much comparison, he chose Kunming because of the liveable environment, good weather and affordable tuition. It is not easy to integrate into a new environment, but the best way to learn a language is to talk with locals, Olivier said.

 “So far, I have neither met any unpleasant things in Yunnan nor heard of other foreigners complaining about Yunnan,” said Olivier. He felt that he had made the right choice. In the past year, Olivier deeply felt the friendliness of Yunnan people.

More fortunately, Olivier became acquainted with a Kunming local surnamed Zhang, who took him in his car to half of China. Olivier is very grateful. Now Mr. Zhang is preparing to open a bar and would like him to manage it.

Olivier has his own idea: In Switzerland, even a small town has more than 200 craft beer pubs, while a city as big as Kunming has only four such establishments. So craft beer will have a good market in Kunming.

Yunnan is close to Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and India. With China reviving the Maritime Silk Road, Yunnan is in a better position to learn about South and Southeast Asia and spread craft beer to neighbouring countries. Olivier is already making preparations for the new bar. He said, “If everything goes well, I wish to stay on in Yunnan to make my fortune.”

Olivier: I want to stay in Yunnan

Ah, well, I am Swiss, Peruvian or Mexican, Olivier would say when asked about his nationality. He has curly hair and is talkative. His father is a Swiss diplomat, his mother is Peruvian and he was born in Mexico. He used to study in Australia and is now learning Mandarin in China. In 2013, Olivier became a waiter at a local hotel in Queensland. The hotel often received Chinese guests who mostly came to Australia for sightseeing. One evening, a Chinese guest called reception for help. The hotel manager told Olivier to serve the guest. Olivier could not speak Mandarin and had many difficulties communicating with the guest. It was then that he thought of learning Mandarin. In 2015, Olivier decided to study in China for one or two years. After much comparison, he chose Kunming because of the liveable environment, good weather and affordable tuition. It is not easy to integrate into a new environment, but the best way to learn a language is to talk with locals, Olivier said. So far, I have neither met any unpleasant things in Yunnan nor heard of other foreigners complaining about Yunnan, said Olivier. He felt that he had made the right choice. In the past year, Olivier deeply felt the friendliness of Yunnan people. More fortunately, Olivier became acquainted with a Kunming local surnamed Zhang, who took him in his car to half of China. Olivier is very grateful. Now Mr. Zhang is preparing to open a bar and would like him to manage it. Olivier has his own idea: In Switzerland, even a small town has more than 200 craft beer pubs, while a city as big as Kunming has only four such establishments. So craft beer will have a good market in Kunming. Yunnan is close to Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and India. With China reviving the Maritime Silk Road, Yunnan is in a better position to learn about South and Southeast Asia and spread craft beer to neighbouring countries. Olivier is already making preparations for the new bar. He said, If everything goes well, I wish to stay on in Yunnan to make my fortune.