For any worker, student or immigrant wanting to improve their lives, there is one basic rule when living in another peoples' country: A person must adapt to where they live, whether they like it or not.

This reality is a worldwide truth and will not change for our beliefs, traditions, cultures or behaviors. 

There will be laws, customs, social problems and attitudes we can't change. The only position for an immigrant or person living in that country is to take the good and bad in equal measures.

Furthermore, an immigrant must be an example to the country they're staying, become something for others to follow. 

Compare, "How is the country in which I live in better than my own?"

In other words, what makes it better or what makes it worse than mine? For this, we must take a good-hard look, do a sincere and honest exercise, and write the pros and cons on a list. After all, the decision to stay or go back will be up to the immigrant, student, visitor or worker living in their host country. 

As for my experiences, while living in China, I can honestly say, "It's not just a job, it's an adventure!"

There have been times when things have been unlawfully unclear and alas, in the end, one does adapt. One takes the good with the bad and says, well, the Chinese are great people and there are times I don't agree with everything.  But at the same time, I know that China will be a mark on my soul for the rest of my life, a place that I'll come back too for visits and to see old and beloved friends.

The travel, food, work experience and picking up a little of the language has been one of the most valuable assets of living here.

Point in turn, Muslims [in a small minority] aren't adapting to the respective countries they immigrate to.

When they as a community come to a country or place to better their lives, some, not all, have refused to follow the standard laws in the country where they reside. 

This has happened primarily in Western countries and lately it's been all over the news. 

For a country like Switzerland, where there is little multicultural society, the Swiss won't allow the building of mosques or the use of burkhas (to cover the entire female body, only showing the eyes) and hajjibs (covers the female's hair).

And yes, possibly the Swiss are showing racism, prejudice and lack of tolerance. However, it's their country to determine what should or shouldn't do!  Plus, ideas cannot be forced onto others.

In reality, as immigrants, they have choices: either to adapt or not to immigrate at all.

There are multiple stories like these, but the story stems from two Muslim girls refusing to swim with their classmates or follow the Swiss-school curriculum because according to Muslim traditions, girls cannot interact with boys.

Newcomers have to understand another rule: if they decide to live in that country, they should learn the language and become part of the society they're living and not isolate themselves, which I've often seen in Chinese immigrating to the US, Australia or the UK. It isn't fair to isolate oneself to the host country. 

I don't do it in China, why others should do it in my country?

If people are to enjoy the freedoms, benefits and liberalism, they should become part of that society. 

I'm not saying an immigrant should forget their customs, language or culture, but do their best to enjoy the country in which they're staying. 

Daniel Otero, a freelancer and foreign teacher based in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province