Higher paying jobs in Asia?

[lalalalala]

I'm a high school student attending UTSC Management BBA next year. I'm wondering what are people's opinion/knowledge on working in Asia? Is there better pay? Or am I, having a Canadian education has a better advantage and more opportunities for advancement compared to Canada? Given that I will work hard either way? IMO, there aren't as many opportunities in Canada... But that's just my living-in-a-bubble opinion.

As of this moment, I think my dream is to help direct marketing and product & research in either cosmetic, skincare, or fashion industry. So perhaps I should also have some sort of science background? I also don't really believe there is that much of those industries in Canada.

Well, please enlighten me :D

[Churo1]

Of course. Remember that rich chinese guy from the dark knight? Remember how rich and important he was? That could be you one day. "Shoot for the gold and if you miss you will land in a pile of silver".
-Confucious

[em]

No need to laugh at OP because as a matter of fact, there are some high paying jobs in this "marketing and product & research in either cosmetic, skincare, or fashion industry" field in Asia. But it's not easy and you need network....

[lalalalala]

Well, I believe network is essential everywhere. I'm only speaking of better opportunities, given that a Canadian education is more common in Canada then say Asia, which I assume would be a good advantage. I'm simply asking for the degree of advantage.

[206bw]

I have friends who have done coop workterms in Hong Kong before (we are also from UTSC BBA coop). The pay is actually lower on average compared to canada. But i heard its how things work there, low pay slaves for coops/interns/fresh grads.

Work is actually a lot more busy and fast paced, strict deadlines, overtime ect are common. But life there is a lot more vibrant. Shopping, eating, more common 24/7 shops and resturaunts, Lan Kwai Fong ect ect.

[d00n]

I actually got a buddy who works at L'Oreal in Japan doing marketing. He graduated from McMaster University from the Commerce program. So I think it's definitely possible. I assume you are fluent in a particular Asian language? Wouldn't that narrow down the possibilities for you?

I know he got the job based on a specific job fair in the US geared towards bilingual Japanese-English graduates in various fields, mainly business though. So perhaps you can find something like that? Since I'm monolingual for the most part, I've never really looked into those kinds of targeted job fairs.

And I think the pay is higher but the standard of living is also more expensive, right? So I guess it depends on what your plan is.

[yesstyle]

working in asia, particularly in Hong Kong is very competitive compared to NA. Other workers will 'step' on you or do whatever it takes to be better than you.

[Churo1]

Asia is the hidden shangri-la. Clean air, wide open fields, bountiful jobs, friendly, open-minded people, benevolent governments. Asia has it all.

[Churo1]

working in asia, particularly in Hong Kong is very competitive compared to NA. Other workers will 'step' on you or do whatever it takes to be better than you.

Sounds like a baseless anecdote to me. What do you have to support this claim?

[ricsad]

Lots of competition in Asia; not just for the poor people from the fields. But since you're fluent in English, you'll get a head start compared to people the same skill in almost any industry.

Are you good looking? They're more picky about how you look. For example, here in Canada you can work in a skin care store even if you have acne. In Asia, that's still possible but not as likely to happen. You know how they say that looks matter and they just don't say it? It happens more in Asia. If you're a representative, salesperson, or anything where you'll be dealing with customers, they prefer younger, taller, and better looking people.

[sardaukar]

Asia is the hidden shangri-la. Clean air, wide open fields, bountiful jobs, friendly, open-minded people, benevolent governments. Asia has it all.

Love your sarcasm bro. Keep it up! :cheesygri

[sardaukar]

In Asia as a fresh university grad, as compared to Canada you will likely receive lower pay but work a lot more hours. All that talk about vibrant Asian lifestyle and such... that's for the rich people. Someone who works six days a week (this is common), 13+ hours a day barely has time to sleep, let alone enjoying what "vibrant" lifestyle Asia has to offer.

If you're good and are able to move up the ranks, then higher paying jobs would be possible. That is, provided that you survive the first years of corporate slavery and extremely meager pay.

[lalalalala]

Oh really. Thanks for the replies.

I suppose the Asian corporate world is much more competitive. I think sometimes I just have to try it out myself and see.

I'm really hopeful that my coop job could be abroad.

[gilboman]

I have friends who have done coop workterms in Hong Kong before (we are also from UTSC BBA coop). The pay is actually lower on average compared to canada. But i heard its how things work there, low pay slaves for coops/interns/fresh grads.

Work is actually a lot more busy and fast paced, strict deadlines, overtime ect are common. But life there is a lot more vibrant. Shopping, eating, more common 24/7 shops and resturaunts, Lan Kwai Fong ect ect.

:lol:

working a typical 9-7 day and saturdays. where's the time to goto Lan Kwai Fong and enjoy the more vibrant night life? i know a lot of friends who went back and its really a lot less free time than here. Also, they get just as bored as when they're here once you get used to the "newness" of the place. Its really the samething, bars or clubs or eat out.

[Churo1]

Oh really. Thanks for the replies.

I suppose the Asian corporate world is much more competitive. I think sometimes I just have to try it out myself and see.

I'm really hopeful that my coop job could be abroad.

Sounds like you've bought right into Asia's tourism marketing plans. Good for you, keep the economy rolling.

[resu]

I suppose the Asian corporate world is much more competitive.

No, there is just much more emphasis on face time. But yes, do try to find a co-op position there so that you can see if you like the work environment. I'm doing co-op in Tokyo right now. Although I love the vibrance here, I will probably end up working in Canada or the states when I graduate.

At least I don't work for a Japanese company... that would really suck :lol:

[Churo1]

No, there is just much more emphasis on face time. But yes, do try to find a co-op position there so that you can see if you like the work environment. I'm doing co-op in Tokyo right now. Although I love the vibrance here, I will probably end up working in Canada or the states when I graduate.

At least I don't work for a Japanese company... that would really suck :lol:

What, you go to Japan to work for a North American company? You must be really impressed that the 7/11's down there are open later than here and the lights blink faster. Also, I guess you don't have to wait as long for pokemon episodes to be released which I'm sure is a top priority for you.

[resu]

What, you go to Japan to work for a North American company? You must be really impressed that the 7/11's down there are open later than here and the lights blink faster. Also, I guess you don't have to wait as long for pokemon episodes to be released which I'm sure is a top priority for you.

I'm impressed that I haven't found anyone that is as bitter as you, given the work conditions here :lol:

Have you ever set foot in Japan? Seen the hordes of salarymen punching in at 7, and wobble home at 11 after going to an izakaya with their boss? All for very mediocre pay. Who in their right mind would sign up for that if they have a choice?

[Churo1]

I'm impressed that I haven't found anyone that is as bitter as you, given the work conditions here :lol:

Have you ever set foot in Japan? Seen the hordes of salarymen punching in at 7, and wobble home at 11 after going to an izakaya with their boss? All for very mediocre pay. Who in their right mind would sign up for that if they have a choice?

What I'm saying is, why go all the way to Japan just to work at a typical company you could find down the street. I never really understood this "really cool nightlife" stuff, what their neon lights blink longer and faster? The video game store is open longer? Or the fact that the majority of the population works at sushi restaurants which are open at night? I just don't get it, I don't know about you guys but I'd rather get a sleep and not feel like complete **** the next day.

[UrbanPoet]

Sounds like a baseless anecdote to me. What do you have to support this claim?

I don't think they have studies on this sort of thing to base it on.
But if you've ever worked in any environment (even fast food or retail!) you'll notice people 'stepping' on each other.

[resu]

What I'm saying is, why go all the way to Japan just to work at a typical company you could find down the street. I never really understood this "really cool nightlife" stuff, what their neon lights blink longer and faster? The video game store is open longer? Or the fact that the majority of the population works at sushi restaurants which are open at night? I just don't get it, I don't know about you guys but I'd rather get a sleep and not feel like complete **** the next day.

Most of the employees are Japanese, so quite a bit of the company culture more Japanese than 'foreign'. Japan is just more interesting than Canada can ever hope to be. It's a great place to have fun, no matter what your interests are. But for work? Probably not, IMHO.

[Troodon]

I'm a high school student attending UTSC Management BBA next year. I'm wondering what are people's opinion/knowledge on working in Asia? Is there better pay? Or am I, having a Canadian education has a better advantage and more opportunities for advancement compared to Canada? Given that I will work hard either way? IMO, there aren't as many opportunities in Canada... But that's just my living-in-a-bubble opinion.

As of this moment, I think my dream is to help direct marketing and product & research in either cosmetic, skincare, or fashion industry. So perhaps I should also have some sort of science background? I also don't really believe there is that much of those industries in Canada.

Well, please enlighten me :D

It's easy if you have guanxi. For example, I can probably get an investment banking internship at a Chinese boutique bank without even writing a resume.

[Churo1]

Most of the employees are Japanese, so quite a bit of the company culture more Japanese than 'foreign'. Japan is just more interesting than Canada can ever hope to be. It's a great place to have fun, no matter what your interests are. But for work? Probably not, IMHO.

Well, I won't bother responding with logic as you obviously have an impenetrable barrier shielding you from it. Let the children be children I say.

[Churo1]

Most of the employees are Japanese, so quite a bit of the company culture more Japanese than 'foreign'. Japan is just more interesting than Canada can ever hope to be. It's a great place to have fun, no matter what your interests are. But for work? Probably not, IMHO.

Can I just ask before I go, are you by any chance heavily into manga, anime and role playing video games? I won't be bothering checking this topic for a reply by the way as I am already completely assured of the answer.

[manixc]

It's easy if you have guanxi. For example, I can probably get an investment banking internship at a Chinese boutique bank without even writing a resume.

dude hook me up haha

[resu]

Can I just ask before I go, are you by any chance heavily into manga, anime and role playing video games? I won't be bothering checking this topic for a reply by the way as I am already completely assured of the answer.

DAMN! Do you have a raincloud hanging over your head all the time? :lol:

[yiujun]

What, you go to Japan to work for a North American company? You must be really impressed that the 7/11's down there are open later than here and the lights blink faster. Also, I guess you don't have to wait as long for pokemon episodes to be released which I'm sure is a top priority for you.

Honestly, if I was doing a co-op job (which is a short term job) and I could be doing the same thing in Japan or Canada, I would choose Japan.

There's a reason why people go vacationing in Tokyo. I did that for 9 days just the past month. I took vacation off AND paid to go there. What's better, obviously, is to get paid to work there instead.

Have you actually been to Japan? Don't judge if you haven't. If you have and you didn't like it, doesn't mean everyone has to think your way either.

No, I don't read manga (only Doraemon, Captain Tsubasa, Slam Dunk, Dragonball... but those are old school), nor am I obsessed with Japanese culture.

It's different there, and Canada can get really boring... once you've been here for around 20 years like I have.
And obviously it's way easier to shop there as the styles are way nicer. Gap for example sells way nicer clothes in Japan compared to Canada. Crap clothes for high prices ftl.

[Churo1]

Honestly, if I was doing a co-op job (which is a short term job) and I could be doing the same thing in Japan or Canada, I would choose Japan.

There's a reason why people go vacationing in Tokyo. I did that for 9 days just the past month. I took vacation off AND paid to go there. What's better, obviously, is to get paid to work there instead.

Have you actually been to Japan? Don't judge if you haven't. If you have and you didn't like it, doesn't mean everyone has to think your way either.

No, I don't read manga (only Doraemon, Captain Tsubasa, Slam Dunk, Dragonball... but those are old school), nor am I obsessed with Japanese culture.

It's different there, and Canada can get really boring... once you've been here for around 20 years like I have.
And obviously it's way easier to shop there as the styles are way nicer. Gap for example sells way nicer clothes in Japan compared to Canada. Crap clothes for high prices ftl.

No, I don't read manga (only Doraemon, Captain Tsubasa, Slam Dunk, Dragonball...

Just in case people reading this thread aren't aware, the ellipsis points at the end of his post indicate the list goes on for a while. Also note he commented only on the manga, and omitted the fact that anime is falling over on bookshelves all over his house.

[Churo1]

Might as well add, most Canadians I know who went to the Japan are bald, fat aging white guys with basically nothing in their lives worth mentioning. They want to escape their reality, so they go somewhere where white people are basically seen as interesting cartoon characters just so people will finally notice them. They had no culture here except their Japanese-obsessed one they built for themselves. They are usually are heavily into trademark Japan nerd items such as anime, manga and cosplaying. Why would anyone leave a freer, fairer country with more open minded people, less pollution, and a generally better standard of living to go to a place with exactly the opposite, especially when you were born and raised in the former? Quit trying to escape reality by running to Japan.

[rdtx2002]

No, I don't read manga (only Doraemon, Captain Tsubasa, Slam Dunk, Dragonball...

Just in case people reading this thread aren't aware, the ellipsis points at the end of his post indicate the list goes on for a while. Also note he commented only on the manga, and omitted the fact that anime is falling over on bookshelves all over his house.

says the guy with a Pokemon avatar ;)

[Churo1]

Exemptions from my list are people from honk kong/china who came to Canada briefly to study or something. I'm sure in their case, going to Japan beats going back to their home country.

[Churo1]

Honestly, if I was doing a co-op job (which is a short term job) and I could be doing the same thing in Japan or Canada, I would choose Japan.

There's a reason why people go vacationing in Tokyo. I did that for 9 days just the past month. I took vacation off AND paid to go there. What's better, obviously, is to get paid to work there instead.

Have you actually been to Japan? Don't judge if you haven't. If you have and you didn't like it, doesn't mean everyone has to think your way either.

No, I don't read manga (only Doraemon, Captain Tsubasa, Slam Dunk, Dragonball... but those are old school), nor am I obsessed with Japanese culture.

It's different there, and Canada can get really boring... once you've been here for around 20 years like I have.
And obviously it's way easier to shop there as the styles are way nicer. Gap for example sells way nicer clothes in Japan compared to Canada. Crap clothes for high prices ftl.

Also I have lived in Canada my whole life, which is longer than 20 years. You sound like a little kid who needs to be constantly entertained, and Japan fills that big empty spot in your psyche which needs fleeting, meaningless joy in order to be complete.

Edit: No one cares what you're wearing by the way. Quit looking at yourself and smiling in the mirror all day.

[chris0101]

There are the opportunities if you look for them, but it will be a lot of work and you'll be up against a lot of competition. Bear in mind that if you do go to another nation, you need to be reasonably fluent in that language. Network, get top grades, etc. and it is possible, but be prepared to work for it.

Also, cities like Hong Kong or Tokyo have high living costs (ever see anyone in the middle class living in houses there?). Be sure that your purchasing power is actually rising. That after-tax paycheck may be higher, but it may end up buying a hell of a lot less.

[resu]

Might as well add, most Canadians I know who went to the Japan are bald, fat aging white guys with basically nothing in their lives worth mentioning. They want to escape their reality, so they go somewhere where white people are basically seen as interesting cartoon characters just so people will finally notice them. They had no culture here except their Japanese-obsessed one they built for themselves. They are usually are heavily into trademark Japan nerd items such as anime, manga and cosplaying. Why would anyone leave a freer, fairer country with more open minded people, less pollution, and a generally better standard of living to go to a place with exactly the opposite, especially when you were born and raised in the former? Quit trying to escape reality by running to Japan.

I'm not white, bald or fat. By the sound of your posts, you should be the one receiving life counselling, not the one handing it out.

Open minded huh... aren't you shooting yourself in the foot? Fleeting, meaningless joy beats your self-fulfilling hobby of trolling, no?

[Churo1]

I'm not white, bald or fat. By the sound of your posts, you should be the one receiving life counselling, not the one handing it out.

Open minded huh... aren't you shooting yourself in the foot? Fleeting, meaningless joy beats your self-fulfilling hobby of trolling, no?

How is this trolling? It's the truth, and it's not always pretty. Maybe one day you will realize there is more to life than anime and hysterical Japanese people/lifestyle.

[Churo1]

I'm not white, bald or fat. By the sound of your posts, you should be the one receiving life counselling, not the one handing it out.

Open minded huh... aren't you shooting yourself in the foot? Fleeting, meaningless joy beats your self-fulfilling hobby of trolling, no?

And like I said, people of Asian background are exempt from this. It's just like going back home for you people.

[yiujun]

Also I have lived in Canada my whole life, which is longer than 20 years. You sound like a little kid who needs to be constantly entertained, and Japan fills that big empty spot in your psyche which needs fleeting, meaningless joy in order to be complete.

Edit: No one cares what you're wearing by the way. Quit looking at yourself and smiling in the mirror all day.

Hmm.. you see the big gaping hole in all your posts yet? You are arrogant in that you think you're always right, and fail to see the world in someone else's point of view.

And yes, I am asian, don't know how that affects anything. The fact is, once you've lived somewhere for over 20 years, it becomes boring. So why not take a "short vacation" aka co-op job and work in Japan for a few months. It'll be a refreshing change for anyone. It doesn't even have to be Japan. It could be Australia, Sydney, Europe.. anywhere. Just anywhere except the place you've lived in for the last 20 years. Sure you'll get homesick after a while, but what's the harm of experiencing another culture for a few month? Ever wonder why students go on exchange programs for a term? At my firm tons of people go on exchange during busy season to Australia (double busy season, I don't know how they do it) just to experience life elsewhere.

Seriously, get your hat on straight and stop attacking everyone who doesn't agree with you. It's getting tiring and it really shows just how arrogant and immature you are. You sound like some really bitter person who hates his job. I hope you don't have a gun license...

But I'm not here to waste my time arguing with people, especially someone who posts excessively @ all the career threads... so I'm no longer replying to you in this thread.

[Churo1]

Hmm.. you see the big gaping hole in all your posts yet? You are arrogant in that you think you're always right, and fail to see the world in someone else's point of view.

And yes, I am asian, don't know how that affects anything. The fact is, once you've lived somewhere for over 20 years, it becomes boring. So why not take a "short vacation" aka co-op job and work in Japan for a few months. It'll be a refreshing change for anyone. It doesn't even have to be Japan. It could be Australia, Sydney, Europe.. anywhere. Just anywhere except the place you've lived in for the last 20 years. Sure you'll get homesick after a while, but what's the harm of experiencing another culture for a few month? Ever wonder why students go on exchange programs for a term? At my firm tons of people go on exchange during busy season to Australia (double busy season, I don't know how they do it) just to experience life elsewhere.

Seriously, get your hat on straight and stop attacking everyone who doesn't agree with you. It's getting tiring and it really shows just how arrogant and immature you are. You sound like some really bitter person who hates his job. I hope you don't have a gun license...

But I'm not here to waste my time arguing with people, especially someone who posts excessively @ all the career threads... so I'm no longer replying to you in this thread.

What, you don't like me because I post messages on a forum? For your information I do like my job, but I am also realistic about the conditions of the work world and of life in general which many of you seem to be ignoring. Easy to do when you're a student and going away on all expenses paid vacations all over the world, but trust me you will have to grow up one day, and when you do your fantasy world will come crashing down all around you.

[Churo1]

What, you don't like me because I post messages on a forum? For your information I do like my job, but I am also realistic about the conditions of the work world and of life in general which many of you seem to be ignoring. Easy to do when you're a student and going away on all expenses paid vacations all over the world, but trust me you will have to grow up one day, and when you do your fantasy world will come crashing down all around you.

Also I speak from experience which is more than can be said for almost all of you. Especially students.

Edit: Also your comment about other peoples point of view, there is only one real world pal and that's how I look at it, you're just trying to escape reality. And I am not bashing all traveling, just the North American obsessed with Asia (specifically Japan) stuff. You being Asian makes a difference, those are your people, you are not some white guy trying to pretend he is someone else by dressing up as goku and going on a Japan adventure.

[wuffer]

I'm not white, bald or fat. By the sound of your posts, you should be the one receiving life counselling, not the one handing it out.

Open minded huh... aren't you shooting yourself in the foot? Fleeting, meaningless joy beats your self-fulfilling hobby of trolling, no?

He is not trolling, the "charisma man" effect is a well documented.

http://karatethejapaneseway.com/photos/charisma_man_01s.jpg

[Churo1]

He is not trolling, the "charisma man" effect is a well documented.

http://karatethejapaneseway.com/photos/charisma_man_01s.jpg

****, that summed it up in one picture without even having to type anything. Thread over.

[ronny1980]

I was born and raised in Toronto but working in Hong Kong at the moment. Came here in November 2008 and was able to land a job within 2.5 weeks of job hunting. I'm in IT - network engineer in the banking/finance industry. Having worked for some pretty decent companies such as KPMG and General Electric really helped my chances with the job search process. They love international experience here especially if its at some multinational companies. Speaking fluent English helps alot obviously.

I'm loving it right now - having a blast.

My salary isn't too high but I'm happy as theres plenty of room for growth and advancement. I'm making about 85K CAD.

[Aznsilvrboy]

Might as well add, most Canadians I know who went to the Japan are bald, fat aging white guys with basically nothing in their lives worth mentioning. They want to escape their reality, so they go somewhere where white people are basically seen as interesting cartoon characters just so people will finally notice them. They had no culture here except their Japanese-obsessed one they built for themselves. They are usually are heavily into trademark Japan nerd items such as anime, manga and cosplaying. Why would anyone leave a freer, fairer country with more open minded people, less pollution, and a generally better standard of living to go to a place with exactly the opposite, especially when you were born and raised in the former? Quit trying to escape reality by running to Japan.

You must have been bullied when you were younger (or still are). Unable to fend for yourself, and unable to vent in real life, so you escape onto the internet to hide behind a screen name and put down other people. Quit trying to escape reality by running onto the internet.

[verteqz]

You must have been bullied when you were younger (or still are). Unable to fend for yourself, and unable to vent in real life, so you escape onto the internet to hide behind a screen name and put down other people. Quit trying to escape reality by running onto the internet.

Aznsilvboy, you must be a student who hasn't seen the REAL WORLD yet. Reality is tough, people like Churo need a way to escape the tough cruel world. You'll know how harsh it is once you grow up and stop living in your dream world. Everything in life is tough. Everything.

You're still a student, you don't know anything at all. I've been on this planet for longer than you have and I have seen people like you get dumped on once they enter the REAL WORLD. The truth hurts. Life is tough. You don't know anything because you've been fed BS all your life. The REAL WORLD is SO tough.

You can't even imagine how tough it is. Like, have you ever seen those commercials for Ford trucks? Built FORD TOUGH right? Well, life is even tougher than that. If you've never driven a Ford let me tell you, it's damn tough. If you don't think its tough, just take my word for it because I am more experienced than you and I know how tough things are out there. It's very, very tough.

You need to wake up kid. The real world is very tough - you have NO idea.

[Troodon]

And like I said, people of Asian background are exempt from this. It's just like going back home for you people.

Stop double-posting... I know you like to rant but just chill and use the EDIT button.

To OP: Does your parent know anyone who works in Asia? That would help a lot.

[NewBean]

Wow, if you are working CAD85K in Hk, you are doing very good already with the very low tax rate and narrow tax base. Are you renting at the moment? Rent is the biggest expense by far . . .

I was born and raised in Toronto but working in Hong Kong at the moment. Came here in November 2008 and was able to land a job within 2.5 weeks of job hunting. I'm in IT - network engineer in the banking/finance industry. Having worked for some pretty decent companies such as KPMG and General Electric really helped my chances with the job search process. They love international experience here especially if its at some multinational companies. Speaking fluent English helps alot obviously.

I'm loving it right now - having a blast.

My salary isn't too high but I'm happy as theres plenty of room for growth and advancement. I'm making about 85K CAD.

[sardaukar]

I was born and raised in Toronto but working in Hong Kong at the moment. Came here in November 2008 and was able to land a job within 2.5 weeks of job hunting. I'm in IT - network engineer in the banking/finance industry. Having worked for some pretty decent companies such as KPMG and General Electric really helped my chances with the job search process. They love international experience here especially if its at some multinational companies. Speaking fluent English helps alot obviously.

I'm loving it right now - having a blast.

My salary isn't too high but I'm happy as theres plenty of room for growth and advancement. I'm making about 85K CAD.

For how long did you work in Canada before you moved to HK?

Do you speak fluent Chinese?

[sardaukar]

No, I don't read manga (only Doraemon, Captain Tsubasa, Slam Dunk, Dragonball... but those are old school), nor am I obsessed with Japanese culture.

Slam dunk and Doraemon kick ass! :cheesygri

Just a little background about myself to put things in perspective: I came to Canada when I was 10 from Hong Kong, went to U of T, and spent one year as an international exchange student in Tokyo during undergrad. I speak fluent Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese so language isn't a problem when I'm in China / Japan. I'm now working in Canada.

In fairness, I have to agree with yiujun that life is better for younger people in major Asian cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo... on the condition that you have tons of cash to splurge! Which is quite unrealistic for the most of us, right? Churo had a good point when he said life is completely different when you're on your own, versus having all your expenses paid for as a student.

My time away on exchange was among the best years of my life... not because of "charisma" factor Churo referred to in his comic (nice post btw), but because everything is just so lively there in Asia.

But on the other hand, working in Asia does suck. My friend in Hong Kong Big 4 has to travel to China every week, and works until midnight (and it's not even busy season!) During busy season his hours were like 8am - 2am, Monday to Sunday.

Asian cities like HK and Tokyo can be a lot of fun if you are rich. Otherwise, work-life balance is almost non-existent there, and life is actually pretty miserable as a salaryman because you basically don't have the time / money to enjoy what vibrant lifestyle Asia has to offer.

[Churo1]

Slam dunk and Doraemon kick ass! :cheesygri

Just a little background about myself to put things in perspective: I came to Canada when I was 10 from Hong Kong, went to U of T, and spent one year as an international exchange student in Tokyo during undergrad. I speak fluent Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese so language isn't a problem when I'm in China / Japan. I'm now working in Canada.

In fairness, I have to agree with yiujun that life is better for younger people in major Asian cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo... on the condition that you have tons of cash to splurge! Which is quite unrealistic for the most of us, right? Churo had a good point when he said life is completely different when you're on your own, versus having all your expenses paid for as a student.

My time away on exchange was among the best years of my life... not because of "charisma" factor Churo referred to in his comic (nice post btw), but because everything is just so lively there in Asia.

But on the other hand, working in Asia does suck. My friend in Hong Kong Big 4 has to travel to China every week, and works until midnight (and it's not even busy season!) During busy season his hours were like 8am - 2am, Monday to Sunday.

Asian cities like HK and Tokyo can be a lot of fun if you are rich. Otherwise, work-life balance is almost non-existent there, and life is actually pretty miserable as a salaryman because you basically don't have the time / money to enjoy what vibrant lifestyle Asia has to offer.

Edit: I think my last post sounded a little racist. My point is that if you are FROM ASIA, you are FLUENT IN MARDARIN, CANTONESE AND JAPANESE, then going BACK TO ASIA is obviously not something out of the ordinary, in fact it probably makes more sense than living in Canada.

Also what's with this "more lively in Asia" crap? What, the subways are more packed? Does being so close next to people make you feel better as you are packed in like sardines? Or the fact that everyone is totally drugged up and a complete mess due to the fact that they never sleep?