Crime novelist, screenwriter and creative writing graduate James Fouché has swapped Cape Town for central China, where he's beginning a completely new chapter—not only in his career, but in his family's life.
After years of building businesses in South Africa, publishing crime novels and teaching online, James made the leap to China to teach English at a medical university. His wife and three homeschooled children will soon join him, turning what began as a solo adventure into a family relocation.
In this conversation, James shares what it's really like living in a part of China where almost nobody speaks English, adapting to a completely different culture, and preparing his family for one of the biggest moves of their lives.
We also dive into his career as a crime writer, why South Africa provides such rich storytelling material, China's remarkable pace of development, and why stepping outside your comfort zone can change your perspective forever.
It's an honest and fascinating conversation about creativity, family, and embracing the unknown.
"It's a big world out there. You're doing your kids a disservice if you keep them in a tiny triangle." — James Fouché
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TIMESTAMPS
00:01 – Introducing author James Fouché
03:22 – Growing up in Cape Town and becoming a writer
06:14 – Why he moved to China
08:30 – Turning South African crime into compelling fiction
13:48 – Releasing his latest novel Grey
16:22 – First impressions of living in China
18:31 – Preparing his family for the move
19:23 – Learning Chinese and overcoming the language barrier
21:30 – Teaching English at a Chinese university
22:58 – Adapting to Chinese food and culture
24:17 – Finding great coffee in central China
26:45 – China's emerging wine industry
28:29 – The surprisingly low cost of living
31:09 – Teaching at a medical university
32:51 – Chinese bureaucracy and work visas
35:51 – Healthcare and China's rapid development
38:39 – WeChat, Alipay and China's digital society
41:10 – What he misses most about South Africa
43:14 – Is China a long-term move?
45:01 – How living abroad changes your perspective
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Connect with James Fouché
🌐 Website: www.jamesfouche.com
📘 Facebook: @JamesFoucheWrites
📷 Instagram: @JamesFoucheWrites
Connect with the podcast
Website: www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com
Podcast: The Relocated South African — available on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.
If James' story resonated with you, please share this episode with someone considering life abroad—or anyone curious about living and working in China.
