--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before I left China, I was educated that…" description: "\"Before I left China, I was educated that China was the richest, happiest country in the world. So when I arrived Australia, I thought, 'Oh my God, ever..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faa/jack-ma-2112_arrived_before-i-left-china-i-was-educated-that_897597.jpg" --- # Before I left China, I was educated that China was the… ![“Before I left China, I was educated that China was the richest, happiest country in the world. So when I arrived Australia, I thought, 'Oh my God, everything is different from what I was told.' Since then, I started to think differently.” quote by Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faa/jack-ma-2112_arrived_before-i-left-china-i-was-educated-that_897597.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faa/jack-ma-2112_arrived_before-i-left-china-i-was-educated-that_897597.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faa/jack-ma-2112_arrived_before-i-left-china-i-was-educated-that_897597.jpg) > “Before I left China, I was educated that China was the richest, happiest country in the world. So when I arrived Australia, I thought, 'Oh my God, everything is different from what I was told.' Since then, I started to think differently.” [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Initial assumptions about a place can be shattered by lived experience, prompting deeper reflection. **In simple terms:** First impressions can be wrong. Key Takeaway Stay open to new evidence. Themes culture perception growth Mood curious thoughtful Type narrative reflective When to use this quote - travel - immigration - business expansion - cross‑cultural teamwork Key Concepts sociology personal development Questions to Reflect On - How did your view change after arriving? - What assumptions do you still hold? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on stereotypes can hinder understanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arrived](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrived/) [Australia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/australia/) [Australia Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/australia-thought-1209668/) [Before](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/before/) [China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china/) [China Educated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china-educated-1209666/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Differently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differently/) [Educated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educated/) [Educated China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educated-china-1209667/) [Everything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everything/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Happiest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiest/) [Happiest Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiest-country-1209665/) [Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left/) [Oh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oh/) [Oh my god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oh-my-god/) [Richest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richest/) [Since](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/since/) [Started](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started/) [Then](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/then/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I think Melbourne is by far and away the most interesting place in Australia, and I thought if I ever wrote a novel or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-temple/i-think-melbourne-is-by-far-and-away-the-most-interesting-place-in/) [Peter Temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-temple/) > [If happiness was in money or power, then America should be the happiest country in the world, but it is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satish-kumar/if-happiness-was-in-money-or-power-then-america-should-be-the/) [Satish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satish-kumar/) > [A U.N. study claims the happiest country in the world is Switzerland. When asked why they're so happy, Swiss people couldn't answer because their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/a-u-n-study-claims-the-happiest-country-in-the-world-is-switzerland/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [“But one of the main reasons why Denmark does so well in international happiness surveys is the welfare state, as it reduces uncertainty, worries,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meik-wiking/but-one-of-the-main-reasons-why-denmark-does-so-well-in-international-2/) [Meik Wiking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meik-wiking/) > [“But one of the main reasons why Denmark does so well in international happiness surveys is the welfare state, as it reduces uncertainty, worries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meik-wiking/but-one-of-the-main-reasons-why-denmark-does-so-well-in-international/) [Meik Wiking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meik-wiking/) > [I have gained ten kilos since I arrived in England. It is necessary. Your body adapts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodri/i-have-gained-ten-kilos-since-i-arrived-in-england-it-is-necessary/) [Rodri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodri/) > [Because when you feel that you have arrived, you are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yul-brynner/because-when-you-feel-that-you-have-arrived-you-are-dead/) [Yul Brynner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yul-brynner/) > [Ever since I arrived in Washington in April 2009, I have been fighting for more transparency and accountability in government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-quigley/ever-since-i-arrived-in-washington-in-april-2009-i-have-been-fighting/) [Mike Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-quigley/) > [Welcome to the world of bullshit, my dear. You have arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/welcome-to-the-world-of-bullshit-my-dear-you-have-arrived/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [It's not food if it arrived through the window of your car.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/it-s-not-food-if-it-arrived-through-the-window-of-your-car/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [We arrived in Argentina with a lot of injured players, including our goalkeeper. Also we were unlucky to be drawn in the same group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-patini/we-arrived-in-argentina-with-a-lot-of-injured-players-including-our/) [Michel Patini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-patini/) > [When I arrived in France, I cried every day. Not because I was in France - I could have been anywhere - but because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/didier-drogba/when-i-arrived-in-france-i-cried-every-day-not-because-i-was-in/) [Didier Drogba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/didier-drogba/) > [Certainties are arrived at only on foot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-porchia/certainties-are-arrived-at-only-on-foot/) [Antonio Porchia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-porchia/) > [I lost 7kg when I arrived at Tottenham from Southampton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-wanyama/i-lost-7kg-when-i-arrived-at-tottenham-from-southampton/) [Victor Wanyama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-wanyama/) > [“You think: Oh, here is the rest of my life. It’s finally arrived.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/you-think-oh-here-is-the-rest-of-my-life-it-s-finally-arrived/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) ## More by Jack Ma > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [The world will not remember what you say, but it will certainly not forget what you have done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/the-world-will-not-remember-what-you-say-but-it-will-certainly-not/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Only fools use their mouth to speak. A smart man uses his brain, and a wise man uses his heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/only-fools-use-their-mouth-to-speak-a-smart-man-uses-his-brain-and-a/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Never ever do business with the government. Be in love with them, never marry them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/never-ever-do-business-with-the-government-be-in-love-with-them-never/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [It's impossible for China to keep 10 to 15% growth annually. The economy needed to slow down, and we have to learn to slow down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/it-s-impossible-for-china-to-keep-10-to-15-growth-annually-the/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [I flunked my exam for university two times before I was accepted by what was considered my city's worst university, Hangzhou Teachers University. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/i-flunked-my-exam-for-university-two-times-before-i-was-accepted-by/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [China's government is so strong on investment, so strong on exporting, but they're too weak on domestic consumption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/china-s-government-is-so-strong-on-investment-so-strong-on-exporting/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [If the 'Post' can play the role of a connector between the West and the East, I have confidence in the paper's future success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-the-post-can-play-the-role-of-a-connector-between-the-west-and-the/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [I know nothing about technology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/i-know-nothing-about-technology/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Today is cruel. Tomorrow is crueller. And the day after tomorrow is beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/today-is-cruel-tomorrow-is-crueller-and-the-day-after-tomorrow-is/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [30% of all people will never believe you. Do not allow your colleagues and employees to work for you. Instead, let them work for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/30-of-all-people-will-never-believe-you-do-not-allow-your-colleagues/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [If you want to invest in us, we believe customer number one, employee number two, shareholder number three. If they don't want to buy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-want-to-invest-in-us-we-believe-customer-number-one-employee/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Never give up. Today is hard, tomorrow will be worse, but the day after tomorrow will be sunshine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/never-give-up-today-is-hard-tomorrow-will-be-worse-but-the-day-after/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [A great opportunity is often hard to be explained clearly; things that can be explained clearly are often not the best opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/a-great-opportunity-is-often-hard-to-be-explained-clearly-things-that/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [The customer is number one, the employee is number two and the shareholder is number three. If the customer is happy, the business is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/the-customer-is-number-one-the-employee-is-number-two-and-the/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) [Explore all 185 Jack Ma quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) ## More Arrived quotes > [“You think: Oh, here is the rest of my life. It’s finally arrived.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/you-think-oh-here-is-the-rest-of-my-life-it-s-finally-arrived/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [I lost 7kg when I arrived at Tottenham from Southampton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-wanyama/i-lost-7kg-when-i-arrived-at-tottenham-from-southampton/) [Victor Wanyama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-wanyama/) > [Certainties are arrived at only on foot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-porchia/certainties-are-arrived-at-only-on-foot/) [Antonio Porchia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-porchia/) > [When I arrived in France, I cried every day. Not because I was in France - I could have been anywhere - but because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/didier-drogba/when-i-arrived-in-france-i-cried-every-day-not-because-i-was-in/) [Didier Drogba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/didier-drogba/) > [We arrived in Argentina with a lot of injured players, including our goalkeeper. Also we were unlucky to be drawn in the same group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-patini/we-arrived-in-argentina-with-a-lot-of-injured-players-including-our/) [Michel Patini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-patini/) > [It's not food if it arrived through the window of your car.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/it-s-not-food-if-it-arrived-through-the-window-of-your-car/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [Welcome to the world of bullshit, my dear. You have arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/welcome-to-the-world-of-bullshit-my-dear-you-have-arrived/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [Ever since I arrived in Washington in April 2009, I have been fighting for more transparency and accountability in government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-quigley/ever-since-i-arrived-in-washington-in-april-2009-i-have-been-fighting/) [Mike Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-quigley/) > [Because when you feel that you have arrived, you are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yul-brynner/because-when-you-feel-that-you-have-arrived-you-are-dead/) [Yul Brynner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yul-brynner/) > [I have gained ten kilos since I arrived in England. It is necessary. Your body adapts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodri/i-have-gained-ten-kilos-since-i-arrived-in-england-it-is-necessary/) [Rodri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodri/) > [“I must be pretty special to have followed you here but arrived first.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-hamilton/i-must-be-pretty-special-to-have-followed-you-here-but-arrived-first/) [Rebecca Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-hamilton/) > [The man who was known as 'no drama Obama' during the campaign has given us nothing but depleting and infuriating drama since he arrived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-crowley/the-man-who-was-known-as-no-drama-obama-during-the-campaign-has-given/) [Monica Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-crowley/) > [There was no hostility at the court when I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-day-o-connor/there-was-no-hostility-at-the-court-when-i-arrived/) [Sandra Day O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-day-o-connor/) > [The Pawnee chief had left the village the day after the doctor arrived, with 50 or 60 horses and many people, and had taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zebulon-pike/the-pawnee-chief-had-left-the-village-the-day-after-the-doctor/) [Zebulon Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zebulon-pike/) > [“ten when we first arrived there and twelve when we returned to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chasity-bowlin/ten-when-we-first-arrived-there-and-twelve-when-we-returned-to/) [Chasity Bowlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chasity-bowlin/) [Browse all 197 Arrived quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrived/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Before I left China, I was educated that China was the richest, happiest country in the world. 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