When Julie Geng moved back to China in 2019 after attending high school and college in the United States, the future looked full of possibility. As a young, English-speaking college graduate, she quickly found a job at an investment bank with a good salary. Then Covid hit. At first, Geng was supportive of the government’s “zero Covid” policy. But after three years, it’s made her question whether she has a future in China.

[You can listen to this episode of “First Person” on Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google or wherever you get your podcasts.]

(A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times website.)

Thoughts? Email us at firstperson@nytimes.com. Follow Lulu Garcia-Navarro on Twitter @lourdesgnavarro.

“First Person” was produced this week by Wyatt Orme and Derek Arthur. It was edited by Kaari Pitkin and Stephanie Joyce. Mixing by Sonia Herrero and Isaac Jones. Original music by Isaac Jones, Sonia Herrero, Pat McCusker and Carole Sabouraud. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. The rest of the “First Person” team includes Anabel Bacon, Olivia Natt, Jillian Weinberger and Sophia Alvarez Boyd. Special thanks to Kristina Samulewski, Shannon Busta, Allison Benedikt, Annie-Rose Strasser and Katie Kingsbury.