Hong Kong or Japan?

"Anon" (tjsielsistneb)
02/03/2015 at 22:07 • Filed to: None

I'm going to be graduating college in three more semesters and I'm having a hard decision. I can't decide if I want to teach in hong kong or japan. I've never been to either place however I know a bit about each of their cultures, though less about hong kong.

Now I have no rose color ideas of Japan, I dislike the extreme work culture there. They are not the most receptive to outsiders. However it's a beautiful country that's really weird. Also ironically enough torrenting anime in japan is actually really dangerous due to heavy enforcement there. However I like Japanese culture's other things like the festivals and the strangeness of it. However I think what really keeps me hesitant about it is that I know I would always be an outsider and never part of the in group, which is kinda depressing.

Then there's hong kong which I know less about but it seems like a really cool place that's a bit more open to outsiders (twin charged you're more than welcome to tell me if I'm wrong about anything.) The pay in hong kong is also better ($2000 a month allowance for rent and $3000 a month for your actual pay.)

The main reason I'm kind of stressing over it now is because I want to learn to roughly speak it before I go over there. I mean it would be kind of hypocritical for me to try and teach them my language if I didn't atleast know some of theirs.

DISCUSSION (22)

Crest > Anon
02/03/2015 at 22:09

For me that would be one of the easiest decisions i'll ever have to make. Japan or go home

I_AmDeath > Anon
02/03/2015 at 22:10

Since your going to make money..I'd go with where you being paid the most. That too me makes more sense. I'm going to bet you'd enjoy either country though.

scoob > Anon
02/03/2015 at 22:15

I only know for sure Kat Callahan is in Japan (I think Flavien Vidal too?) and TwinCharged is in Hong Kong, so hopefully they see this lol. Or you can "reply" to one of their posts for help.

The real question is which place has better car culture? :P (JK)

Anon > I_AmDeath
02/03/2015 at 22:15

I would probobly enjoy either, but it's like picking between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini. They're both excellent cars but if you get one you'll always wonder "what if".

Anon > scoob
02/03/2015 at 22:17

Hong kong has a buch of old european cars and japan has a bunch of old JDM cars. So japan has a buch of cars that run and hong kong has a buch of rusted death traps! Lol

NaturallyAspirated > Anon
02/03/2015 at 22:22

I think I'm with you as far as the work culture in Japan. I work with a number of business contacts in Japan and I'm always appalled that they can e-mail me at 7AM PST (midnight Japan time), and then again at 4PM (9AM Japan time), which kind of tells you how much time they spend at the office. I think it's be a fascinating place to visit, and I'd consider working there if I could work for a Western company, but between that and Hong Kong I'd probably have to go with Hong Kong.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > scoob
02/03/2015 at 22:25

Flavian is in Japan, I will confirm that without a doubt, I received my secret senna from him.

scoob > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man
02/03/2015 at 22:27

Every mention of Secret Senna makes me regret not participating in it even more. :'(

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Anon
02/03/2015 at 22:29

Keep in mind the cost of living in HK is stupidly expensive wherever you go. Japan can be, but it sort of depends on location. What part of Japan are you looking at, and do you already have a job lined up over there?

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Anon
02/03/2015 at 22:31

Japan because JDM Brah!!!

R34 all the things!!!

Have you thought about teaching at an international school? Then you would be able to be immersed in the culture of the country while still being around a group of like-minded people.

ToyDeathbot > Anon
02/03/2015 at 22:31

You see a whole lot more luxury cars in Hong Kong since it's quite a small place and owning a private car in itself is considered of wealth. Oh and Saturday morning's are brilliant.

Something else to consider is whether you've got bad lungs or not, I go there once every 2 years or so and it takes a bit of time for me to adjust as the pollution can get pretty bad (not as awful as Beijing of course!).

Anon > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
02/03/2015 at 22:34

Oh no, not yet, most organizations you have to be graduating within 6 months to apply. I don't have any idea where in japan I would be teaching!

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Anon
02/03/2015 at 22:39

Hellooo~

If I'm honest, Hong Kong is best for foreigners coming to teach due to it's colonial past. When I went to Japan in the summer, although I loved my stay, I'd have to say that Hong Kong was definitely more friendly for people coming from abroad. Although not many people have an excellent grasp of English, they'll have enough to get by. Transport is easy and there are plenty of places where foreigners can hang out so you don't have to feel isolated. However, rent is not cheap - if you're coming over to teach, you'll likely be staying in a small apartment over on Kowloon side. What are you planning to teach?

Anon > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
02/03/2015 at 22:44

English. But $2000 USD should be enough for me to get a small appartment huh? I don't need more than 400 square feet. Also where is the Kawloon side and is it bad? Haha How far away is it from mong kok? (I think I spelled that right?) Also if I do decide to go to Hong Kong I would do my best to atleast be able to speak Cantonese (not read).

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Anon
02/03/2015 at 22:55

Mong Kok is in Kowloon side - in fact, you'd be likely to have an apartment in Mong Kok, it's one of the cheaper places. Hong Kong is very safe - it's just that Kowloon isn't as well-kept and the markets aren't perfectly reputable. But if you look hard enough, you'll find lots of great cheap stuff. Cantonese is useful, but not easy. Mandarin Chinese has four tones, Canto has nine, so good luck!

And on the subject of teaching English, you're in luck again! Have you heard of Chatteris Educational Foundation . They're a non-profit organisation that aims to provide uni/college graduates around the world with the opportunity of teaching English in Hong Kong. I worked for them for two summers before and basically, they bring foreign teachers over to Hong Kong to teach in local schools, ranging from primary schools to vocational colleges. For the first two weeks after you arrive, they run you through an orientation course with everybody else, getting you to know Hong Kong as well as searching for flats. The important part of this is that you'll be sharing a flat with somebody else, which eases the financial load. The office staff are really friendly and it's a fantastic opportunity for you to meet people from around the world.

Anon > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
02/03/2015 at 23:04

Wow thanks twin! I really appreciate this! I would love to be in mong kok actually as it would provide an excellent place for street photography! Do most people in hong kong speak mandarin as well as Cantonese? Also I'll definitely checkout the chatteris educational foundation, especially since you have such nice things to say about them! Also in hong kong is saturday considered a school day or is it normally a free day?

DavidHH > Anon
02/03/2015 at 23:04

Take Hong Kong, the Japanese are polite, but many are also quite racist.

Goodeveningofficer > Anon
02/04/2015 at 01:52

You'll see plenty of new exotic cars in HK even though they cost double/triple what they cost here in 'Murcia. I don't know what you're into but you should check your pulse if you don't have a great time in HK. Stick to the Island and you won't even have to speak Cantonese.

Goodeveningofficer > Anon
02/04/2015 at 02:11

That's a tough one Alex. Everyone will have some familiarity as Mandarin is to Cantonese as Latin is to Italian. However Mandarin and anything associated with the oppressive North might not go over so smoothly. Plus we aren't all that impressed with a Gwai Lo that speaks Mandarin. It's taught in schools. A Gwai Lo that speaks Cantonese? You'll have people tripping all over each other to talk with you. Especially the ones with tits. Show some initiative goddamit!

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Anon
02/04/2015 at 05:37

A fair few people in Hong Kong do speak Mandarin Chinese, but only really for business. The only people that do speak Mandarin consistently are immigrants from mainland China. And yes, Saturday is a free day as far as I know.

Anon > Goodeveningofficer
02/04/2015 at 11:44

Well then! It's settled! Cantonese for me!

Anon > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
02/04/2015 at 23:31

Thanks so much twin charged! If I end up going with hong kong I'm buying you a drink!