Woven Pod: Moving to Beijing Together
A 3-month peer support pilot for women navigating Beijing moves with families
Here’s the thing about moving to Beijing...
I don’t have all the answers yet.
I’m moving there in December with my husband, 6-year-old and 1.5-year-old, and right now, I’m doing what you’re probably doing:
Researching international schools I’ve never visited
Joining WeChat groups where I don’t know anyone
Asking “which neighbourhood works for families?”
Wondering “where do I find doctors I can trust?”
And then I thought: What if I could do this together with women who are also moving to Beijing?
I haven’t figured everything out yet. But as co-navigators, we can learn about Beijing together.
What This Is (And Isn’t)
This IS:
A peer support experiment where 3 to 4 women navigate the chaos and excitement of moving to Beijing together, including me, who’s also moving.
Three months (November 2025 - January 2026) covering the most intense transition phase: pre-move preparations, moving chaos, and early settling-in.
Co-navigation, not expert-led. We’ll learn about Beijing together. My discoveries help you, and your discoveries help me; we create space to support each other through the overwhelm.
This ISN’T:
❌ A class or coaching programme
❌ Expert facilitation (I’m also new to Beijing!)
❌ Therapy or medical advice
❌ A permanent community (it’s time-bound; then we decide together what happens next)
The 3-Month Journey
Month 1: Pre-Move Preparation
We’re all in research mode:
Comparing schools and neighbourhoods
Joining Beijing WeChat groups together
Asking “how does X work?”
Connecting before/during arrivals
My role: Active daily participation, sharing my preparation process, facilitating connections
Month 2: Moving Month
The chaos hits:
I’m literally packing, moving, unpacking
Some of you are arriving
Some are settling in
We’re ALL in transition together
My role: Lighter presence (I’m moving!), but we’re supporting each other through the chaos.
Month 3: Early Settling
Finding our rhythm:
Sharing which neighbourhoods we picked (and why)
School decisions and discoveries
Where we found doctors, groceries, and community
Supporting each other through adjustment
My role: Back to regular participation, sharing settling discoveries, facilitating reflection
Then we decide together what happens to the pod: Continue? Close? Stay friends? Join the next cohort as facilitators? Whatever the group wants.
What I Bring to This
I’m not a Beijing expert. But here’s what I DO have:
✅ China move experience: Singapore → Shenzhen → Guangzhou with family
✅ International school navigation: Done this 3 times now
✅ WeChat ecosystem knowledge: Know how to find and vet groups
✅ Family perspective: Moving with young kids, understanding childcare/school challenges
✅ Honest companionship: Willing to share my real questions and mistakes
✅ Facilitation skills: Creating space for peer support and connection
What I don’t have: Beijing answers. Yet. That’s what we’ll discover together.
Who This Is For
You’re a good fit if:
Moving to Beijing in November, December, or January 2026
OR recently arrived (last 3-6 months) and still figuring things out
Have children (any age)
Want to navigate this with others, not alone
Open to peer support where the facilitator is also learning
Want shared experience, not expert advice
Can commit to 3 months (Nov-Jan), understanding December will be lighter as we’re all in transition
This probably isn’t for you if:
You need a Beijing expert with all the answers (I don’t have all the answers!)
You want therapy or medical advice (I can listen and validate, but I’m not trained for clinical support)
You can’t commit to 3 months
You strongly prefer 1:1 support only
You’re moving much later (after February 2026, different timing from the group)
How It Works
Primary Space: WeChat Group
Daily space for:
Questions as they come up
Sharing discoveries and resources
Wins and challenges
Supporting each other through the overwhelm
Building connections
Optional Video Calls
After we have the pod, we decide together:
Do we want a kick-off video call? (60 mins to meet face-to-face) or start async in WeChat? (introductions at our own pace)
Optional mid-point check-in? (30 mins in December if the group wants)
Wrap-up call in January? (45 mins to reflect and decide about continuing)
The pod decides what structure works for our lives.
What Support Looks Like
This is peer-to-peer:
Someone asks “which school for ages 5-7?” → Others share their research/experience
Someone shares “I found a great paediatrician!” → We all benefit
Someone says “I’m overwhelmed by X” → We validate and brainstorm together
Not me teaching. Us learning together.
Ground Rules
What I Promise:
Show up authentically, including my uncertainty
Share my real questions and discoveries
Create space for peer support
Protect your privacy
Be honest when I’m overwhelmed (especially December!)
Facilitate without pretending to have all answers
What I Ask From You:
Support others, not just receive support
Share your discoveries when you learn something
Be responsive in WeChat (within reason, we’re all busy!)
Be honest about what’s working and what isn’t
Seek professional help when needed for medical/mental health
Give honest feedback about whether to continue after 3 months
Boundaries:
This is peer support, NOT:
Medical advice or diagnosis
Therapy or mental health treatment
24/7 availability or crisis intervention
Perfect answers to every question
If you’re experiencing crisis: Contact your healthcare provider, Beijing United Family Hospital (4008-919191), or your embassy immediately.
Important: This Is FREE
This pilot is completely free.
Your honest participation and feedback are what shape whether Woven continues offering pods in the future.
Timeline
Applications open: 4 October 2025
Applications close: 27 October 27 2025 (midnight Beijing time)
Selection notification: 1 November 2025
Programme begins: Mid-November 2025 (kick-off format decided by group)
Programme ends: Mid-February 2026
Extension discussion: February 2026 (group decides together)
What Happens After 3 Months?
We decide together. Options include:
Continue Informally:
Keep the WeChat group active, no formal structure, just friends supporting each other.
Extend with Light Structure:
Continue for 3 more months (Feb-April) with weekly check-ins, shifting focus from “moving” to “establishing roots.”
Natural Closure:
Pod ends formally, friendships continue individually as people choose.
Join Next Cohort as Facilitators:
If I run another “Moving to Beijing” pod in Q2 2026, some of you might support and welcome new arrivals.
No pressure in any direction. We’ll see how the first 3 months go and what the group genuinely wants.
Selection Process
How It Works:
I’ll review all applications after 27 October invite 3-4 women into the pod based on group compatibility, not first-come-first-served.
What I’m Looking For:
Similar timing: Moving around same time OR recently arrived (can genuinely support each other)
Right expectations: Understanding this is co-navigation, not expert-led
Compatible family situations: Similar-aged kids or similar challenges
Reciprocity mindset: Want to give support, not just receive
Realistic commitment: Can participate despite move chaos
Why Only 3-4 Spots?
This is a pilot to test:
Whether peer support works
What structure helps during major transitions
Whether this model is sustainable and valuable
Small groups mean everyone’s voice is heard, real friendships can form, and I can facilitate well during my own move.
What You’ll Learn From This Experience
By the end of 3 months, you’ll have:
Real connections with women who understand your experience
Practical resources discovered together about Beijing
Less isolation during a challenging transition
Peer support skills you can use in any situation
Beijing foundations for schools, doctors, neighbourhoods, and community
A support network that can continue beyond the formal programme
Frequently Asked Questions
Wait, you’re NEW to Beijing too?
Yes! That’s the whole point. I’m moving in December, so I have genuine questions about Beijing.
What I bring: China move experience (done this multiple times), family move expertise, facilitation skills, and a willingness to figure it out together.
What I don’t bring: Beijing expert knowledge. We’ll discover that together.
Will there be future pods?
Maybe! If this pilot works, I might run another cohort in Q2 2026 once I’m more settled in Beijing.
Want to be notified? Email weiwei@wovenabroad.com with subject “Beijing Pod Waitlist”
What if my move gets delayed?
Mention that possibility in your application. If selected and your move gets delayed, we’ll figure it out together. You might stay in as “preparing from afar” or step back until timing works. Life happens!
Can I join if I’m arriving in March?
Probably not for this cohort (Nov-Jan timeline). But join the waitlist for future pods. Email weiwei@wovenabroad.com with subject “Beijing Pod Waitlist”
What if I need someone who knows Beijing well?
Then this pod isn’t the right fit! Try:
Beijing Women’s Network (established community)
Existing Beijing WeChat groups
Beijing-based coaches or consultants
This pod is specifically for people who want to navigate newness together, not learn from someone established.
What if it’s not working for me?
You can step back anytime. Life circumstances change, and that’s okay. Just let the group know, no judgment.
Why I’m Doing This
I’ve moved from Singapore to Shenzhen to Guangzhou over the past several years. Each time, what made the difference wasn’t having all the answers, it was having people to figure things out with.
Now I’m moving to Beijing, and I have the same questions you probably do. I could wait until I’m “established” and then help others. But what if the most valuable support happens when we’re all in it together?
This is an experiment. Testing whether co-navigation beats expert facilitation. Testing whether peer support sustains during transition chaos. Testing whether small, intentional groups make a difference.
If you’re moving to Beijing and the thought of figuring it out alongside others (including me) sounds better than figuring it out alone, I’d love to have you in this experiment.
Ready to Apply?
Applications close 27 October 2025 at midnight (Beijing time)
The application takes approximately 10-15 minutes and helps me understand your situation, allowing me to compose a compatible group.
Questions?
📧 Email: weiwei@wovenabroad.com
📱 Instagram: @woven.abroad
💬 DM me if you have questions before applying
Woven Pod is a pilot programme by Woven, a platform connecting women across borders through authentic stories and shared wisdom.
About Weiwei: Founder of Woven, mother of two, currently in Guangzhou and moving to Beijing in December 2025. Multiple China moves under my belt, but Beijing newbie status incoming. Let’s figure this out together.
Last updated: October 2025