Escaping to China because of Recession?

suxiaoya
 March 10, 2009, 11:59 AM posted in General Discussion

Hi there -

ChinesePod has been approached by a journalist who is planning to write a story about an American or European, who decided to come to China because of the economic downturn - and has been learning Chinese with ChinesePod as part of this.

Perhaps this person lost his/her job due to the recession, or maybe (s)he just wants to use this period of fewer career opportunities to travel. Has the recession opened new opportunities for a change in direction of career/life?

So, if you happen to be learning with ChinesePod and planning an extended stay in China (or have already moved here) because of a matter directly related to the global financial crisis, please get in touch and share your story.

Equally, if you know someone who might be able to help, please do send me a DM or email with their details.

Thanks in anticipation!

Sarah

sarah.edson@praxislanguage.com

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beijingstrong
 March 10, 2009, 09:55 AM

Hi Suxiaoya

你好,苏小丫

    

You are the very person that the journalist is finding. Will you tell us your story about why to escape from Britain and why you make the decision of going to China instead of other countries? We all are eager to know it and to share your experience of how to learn Chinese.

 

Do you believe that Chinese language is very hard to learn for western people?

 

Strong Hugh

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Purrfecdizzo
 March 10, 2009, 12:01 PM

Some of that applies to me, although I don't know if I would say that I am trying to escape the economical situation here in the USA, but it is a little bit of a factor. I am using C-pod, learning Chinese, and moving to China.

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pretzellogic
 March 10, 2009, 06:40 PM

i'm not really escaping the recession in the US.  It's my wife who got the good job opportunity in China (despite the recession), and now i'm moving to China so that she can take advantage of it.

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suxiaoya
 March 11, 2009, 01:32 AM

Perhaps I used the word 'escaping' incorrectly because it has negative connotations - and such a move would be a positive step!

It seems China is stil being looked to by many as the potential saviour of the world economy, so it makes sense that it's an appealing place to come.

So, I suppose the question is, are there people who wouldn't have seriously considered moving their lives to China had it not been for the spiralling economic downturn?

@BeijingStrong - I decided to come to China while I was at university, a few years before recession was on most Britons' minds. I don't think I really fit the profile :-)

In answer to your question, I'm enjoying learning Mandarin but, the more I pick up, the more I realise how far I have to go! Thankfully, I'm in the right place to maintain my motivation levels.

 

@pretzellogic and  @amesburygeorge

Good luck with your moves to China! Please do let us know how you get on.

 

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matt_c
 May 31, 2009, 12:53 PM

@Beijingstrong I'm having trouble working out if you either have a very dry sense of humour or...something else.

Some of the things that you've said about certain people (Suxiaoya) has appeared to be a little on the impolite side.

I certainly hope it is the former, as I can't imagine someone being rude toward the very people that work hard to provide this excellent platform for Chinese language learning and cross cultural communication that you seem to be enjoying participating in. :)