I got an invite to Beijing by my uncle, who is in the process of moving there and teaching at Peking (I believe) U. He's a pretty accomplished guy, and I take heed of his advice, so when he says there are opportunities there, I don't take it lightly. Dude's even implying I should think about moving there. I had been planning on taking a sabbatical, figuring out my future, and going to Berlin/Oslo/somewhere fjord-y this summer, but this invite has me reconsidering. While I think I definitely want to visit Berlin before I turn 30 (jesus christ that feels weird to say), I have always wanted to go to Thailand and Myanmar, and this would provide me with such an opportunity. However, Beijing and really China as a whole has never been up high on my itinerary, and I've been getting feedback that it's not the really the most fun place to visit. Anyone have any experience in Beijing? Or maybe insistence that I do visit Berlin sooner rather than later? I will of course, be doing my own research independently, but I'd love to hear back from someone I can talk with about it. I'm definitely following insomniasexx's travels, and I like what I see so far, and from what I've heard from others about SE Asia in general, but Beijing though?
Big fan. It's one of the most cited reasons why to not go, and it could be a deal-breaker for me. Like I said, I'm actually more interested in visiting SE Asia than Beijing, but that may be a pittance of an excuse to make the trip. Were you there for academic reasons?If you like breathing, I'd stay away from Beijing.
Actually yes. I presented a paper at a big HCI-I conference. The conference travels around the world and this year it will be in LA in August. August is a bad month to have been in Beijing. The temperatures are over 100 degrees F so that adds to the smog and pollution. I liked climbing up the Great Wall -- it was all fascinating and I'm glad I went, but I'm not a very good traveller. Not sure if that will change in my lifetime. But listen, if you have an uncle who is inviting you and if you can afford to get over there, do it. Explore, live. Be as under 30 as you like, now might be the time. When you say "sabbatical" what do you mean?
I appreciate all the feedback, seriously. It's potentially in June, so that seems a bit more my taste, weather-wise, and definitely not 100+. I'm leaning towards it, for sure, now definitely might be the time. Maybe I could even stop by Tokyo (that literally just occurred to me, holy shit). There's also the worry in the back of my head that, since he's so much more of a go-getter than I am, there might be expectations that I should accomplish something while there, professionally. And I honestly don't even know where I stand, in that regard. Sabbatical = quitting my job and fucking off for a bit, while (potentially) making future plans/choices. edit: okay, Tokyo is definitely not as doable as I thought....but I'm not a very good traveler.
Duly noted.
I've visited Berlin myself last Summer and I know people who spent six months in Beijing studying. From what I've heard, (granted, not a lot) Beijing is a pretty cool experience but the English literacy is quite disappointing outside of the campus area. Harder to settle down, especially compared to open and internationally-oriented Berlin. I'd love to spend time there but I personally wouldn't move there, unless the research alone is enough reason for you. Hong Kong is really cool. 9/10 would recommend.
I gotta do some digging around and see what's available, for sure, to see if it would be worth my while. HK vs Berlin? Whatcha think? ...unless the research alone is enough reason for you.
Now that's a more difficult choice! It really depends on what you're looking for. Berlin has more history but Hong Kong is more insane. Berlin is much cheaper to live, especially the rent. But if you can find a place to stay, Hong Kong has much more to discover, with beaches and culture just a bus / metro ride away. Either one would be great to visit, so why not visit both?
Both is the dream, and the long term plan, for sure, but your small comparison list is what I was going for :) I'm def leaning towards it a lot more now, just gotta avoid the smog, is all. Plus getting to take a ride on the high speed rail seems too good to be true.
I'd love to hear what they think, cause, if I did this, I sure as shit wouldn't pass up HK.