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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Want to teach in China, but very concerned about air pollution.
Hoping to get thoughts on where the less polluted areas are.
I don't have any respiratory problems, but certainly don't want to develop any. Took Mandarin in college and was hoping to teach somewhere where I would be exposed to a norther/Beijing dialect, with the aim of improving my language skills. The recent stories about Beijing's air quality has pretty much ruled that out as an option (if this sounds like an uninformed view, please correct me). I was looking at Qingdao, but I understand it has it's own issues. Near to Qingdao I was eyeing Rizhao (only because it's on the coast and looked like it might have a decent quality of life)
That said, now I am opening myself to any and all ideas. Would a smaller city be any better? I'm open to suggestions. Appreciate any responses. Thanks.
10 years 50 weeks ago in Health & Safety - China
less pollution probably the country sides....if you go to the big city you will be sure to find a lot of pollution and you may be at risk for side effects
Traveler:
I think there is a lot of soil degradation and water pollution in the countryside, but more air pollution in the city.
It's good that you take an interest in this topic. Thumbs up from me, buddy.
Check the greenpeace asia website for example and take your inside in rural areas> They may be worse than big cities in some aspects, because no one actualy care a lot about small places, are not that visible, so you may "store and hide" a lot of trash there ...
Nearer the sea the better, though towns such as Xiamen, Suzhou and Nanning are known for having less intense pollution. Issue is there of course is that you won't hear Beijing-style Mandarin (if you hear Mandarin at all!) So yes I would say Qingdao is a good bet
You may want to factor in all the other dangers in China, food, water, traffic before you decide if you dare to go here.
If the Beijing dialect is important then you may have no choice than to go to that part of the country.
Mark007:
Ha, yes, I have read as many comments as possible on the board, so am aware of the food/traffic problems, just trying to manage the risks as best I can. ;)
It is all going to feel the same wherever you go to be honest. Unless of course like someone has already pointed out, go to the countryside. I have been here less than a week so I am no expert. But it was the best decision I have ever made. I to was worried about air pollution etc. But then it dawned on me... If we spend our lives worrying about things, then we shall never do anything at all.
We fly with the risk of the engines failing, we drive with risk of another vehichle crashing into us. My advice to you is simple. Buy a face mask and just do it.
(This message was not endorsed by Nike)
DaveP84:
Thanks Hulk. My tongue is numb, and my lips are always burning. What is there to not like?
Mark007:
No problems wearing a face mask if I need to, but I am an outdoors type, so just trying to find a spot that doesn't require it (the pictures of Beijing/Shanghai in the US papers always seem to show people wearing masks, esp. with the many articles about the terrible air pollution problems)
DaveP84:
A lot of people also just wear their masks because of bird flu as well. It has just become the norm for them to keep wearing.
Try some of the lesser-known cities surrounding bigger cities. Here's a good gauge (the lower the number, the better):
Check the cities currently listed as yellow or green, and then go on Google Earth and look for all the cities surrounding that. Those smaller cities will generally have far less pollution than the bigger ones. It's the only reason I came to the current city I'm in (rated green, sometimes yellow).
Mark007:
Wow, that is amazing resource. I have spent hours on the web trying to find something just like this. Your ideas are very helpful too. Makes sense. Thanks much!
I suggest you just come and try China for awhile. Noone can really judge suitability but yourself. You may find there are issues that disturb you even more than pollution. Take a holiday and come and travel for awhile, if your schedule permits. Make a decision later.
Mark007:
I have traveled a bit in China, but only to the major cities, many of which seem to have air pollution problems. For example, Tianjin was one of my favorite cities, but now I realize the heavily industrialized cities are not the type of place I want to live.
aqicn is a great website, as Hulk suggests. You might like to look into Weihai, it's where I decided to go after being in a very similar situation as you. There have been maybe half a dozen 300+ PM2.5 days over the past 6 months, the vast majority of days are clear blue skies.
Mark007:
Yes, thanks much. Weihai looks exactly what I had in mind. Lots of coastline in Shandong, which is appealing. Is transportation to Qingdao or other major cities difficult? I'm pretty adventurous, but hoping to avoid cities with really poor connections to major cities.
Amonk:
Ferries to Korea, Dalian, etc., buses and trains to Yantai and Qingdao. The university I'm at will have 2 spots come August and I can see about figuring out who you can contact at Shanda or HIT (the two big unis in Weihai) if you want. By the way, you aren't from CT are you?
Mark007:
Thanks. Yes, I'm interested. I should have my TESOL/TEFL certification completed in July. What's a good way to communicate. email or through the board? I actually live in NJ, but I have a lot of family from CT and am actually posting this from Southbury, CT where my dad lives. Mark.
Amonk:
Ah, I ask because I knew a Mark interested in China back at UConn.
yantai university needs teachers next year and shandong university has a branch in weihai also has 4 teacher vacancies if your looking for the coast. rizhao has a program with jinan number 7 high school for a teacher to work there and teach toefl classes, programs is administered by shandong normal university.
Mark007:
Thanks, very helpful! Sorry if this is a stupid question, but to explore the opportunities you mentioned, should I look at the university website directly or would these be listed on the new echinacities jobs website (again, I am just starting on this journey, so asking a lot of rookie questions)
Hulk:
Stay away from recruiters, Mark007. Seriously, don't go near them. Most will try to get you to work illegally, and 99.9~% of them will screw you.
Mark007:
@Hulk. thanks much for the tip. If I see a posting, how can I tell if the contact is a recruiter or a direct contact to the employer? By the contact address? Do some recruiters claim to represent the employer (i.e. a university), but don't actually have any relationship ? (Sorry for the rookie questions, just getting my feet wet)