Job Discussion Forums

Indiana Jones

Hi,

I'm seriously considering accepting a job based in Xian, but I have concerns about air pollution. Xian is rated as one of the dirtiest in China regarding air quality. I suffer sinus and allergy problems on smoggy days down here in Melbourne Australia -- what we call smog would be fresh air in China.

So please, be honest: will I have difficulties in Xian?

I want to make a realistic choice, not just go dashing off in an idealistic daze full of romantic hopes for my new life in China, only to find I'm near-dead from air pollution within my first week in the country. Blowing one's nose and finding black gunk in your hankerchief is a sure way to bring you back down to earth. Shocked

On a sidenote, I had no troubles with sinuses and allergies in Los Angeles, one of the worst cities in the world for air pollution. Granted, L.A. is by the sea, whereas Xian is a long way inland.

Thanks very much for your help,

Rick

go_ABs · Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 507

Yup. Pollution is a real downer. Avoid it if at all possible, all the more considering your problematic sinus.

There are plenty of jobs around in China. Finding one in a CLEAN town might be hard, but finding one where the pollution is not so bad shouldn't be too hard.

Keep looking.

Indiana Jones · Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 12:15 pm Post subject:

Cheers for that, All Blacks.

I worked in a coal brickette factory one summer. I was sneezing black gunk nearly every day. That was a fun experience I don't want to repeat.

I've still got a few months before I absolutely have to decide if I want the Xian job or not, so I'll keep looking around.

Qingdao looks good. Dalian looks ok, if a little far from mainland China. Maybe I should head south, along the coast. I'll keep looking, it's just a matter of the right kind of job becoming available.

I should probably avoid China altogether, but I get sinus problems here anyway. It might be worse in China, it might be the same -- there's only one way to find out. Wink

Thanks again mate,

Rick

Go the Wallabies!

go_ABs · Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 507

Hate to say it, but if you're not sure about coming to China, you probably shouldn't. This isn't something I think you should jump into lightly.

Consider this move carefully.

(I've been to Melbourne a few times. I remember vividly my time on a house boat there, because the flies there took a liking to flying down my throat.)

Indiana Jones · Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 12:40 pm Post subject:

I'm definitely sure about coming to China, no worries about that. It's just that a few friends have insisted I take the pollution issue seriously. Maybe they're worrying about nothing. Like I said, I had no problems when I was in the US. I don't get asthma. If I do get sinus problems, well ... I'll get myself a mask.

Speaking of flies, how are they in China? If I can put up with fly plagues here in Australia (one of the worst places in the world for flies), then I can deal with 'em anywhere!

Cheers,

Rick

woza17 · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 602 Location: china

Dalian a little away from mainland China, sorry what do you mean?
Anyway, this is one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities in China some parts of it remind me of Melbourne. You are right to be concerned about the pollution, come to Dalian the Unis are recruiting now.
Cheers Woza

MO39 · Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 7:43 pm Post subject:

I am hoping to find a university job for this fall in China; Dalian would be at the top of my list of places I'd like to live. Could you give us the names of a few schools that are hiring now for the fall?

Many thanks,

Marsha

woza17 · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 602 Location: china

There is a serious lack of flies here. On the rare occaison I see them, I get a bit homesick.

The Chairman in the 60s ordered the proletariat to round them up and kill them, same with the sparrows. I see more sparrows.

hilary · Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 246 Location: Kunming

I come from Australia, too - north of Brisbane, by the sea where the air is as clear as anywhere on the planet.

I live in Shunde, Guangdong - and I certainly didn't expect it to be polluted, given its reputation for flowers and mulberry trees (still haven't seen where they actually grow those).

Some days are awful and it only lifts when there's been plenty of rain. Much of it stems from the fumes produced by motorbikes which run on 2-stroke engines, as well as industrial emissions. I'm getting used to it after just over 2 months, but I am seriously considering trying to find a job in a less polluted part of the country. Could be difficult!

deezy · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 12:51 pm Post subject:

Come to Yantai, Weihai or Qingdao! I live in Weihai....I also come from Melbourne, am an asthmatic, and I get more asthma problems in Melbourne! I can honestly say that in Weihai I have never experienced polluted air. And it reminds me of St. Kilda.... a sort of Chinese, and bigger version, without the junkies. Rolling Eyes

Indiana Jones · Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 5:07 am Post subject: Pollution, all around

I live in Weihai.... and I get more asthma problems in Melbourne!

Deezy,

It's weird eh? When I was in Los Angeles, I had no problems. A mate of mine was in London for a year -- again, no problems. Another friend was in Berlin and didn't experience any allergies, despite the city's pollution. But as soon as we're all back in Melbourne, Victoria -- the allergies and hayfever is back with a vengeance. Australia, even though it's one of the least polluted countries in the world, has one of the highest rates of asthma and allergy sufferers in the world. It must be the winds coming from inland, the climate, the kangaroos, I dunno what it is.

A bit of acupuncture, some Chinese herbs ... she'll be right, mate! Wink

Rick

Pollution
All around
Sometimes up
And sometimes down
But always around.
Pollution, are you coming to my town?
Or am I coming to yours?
We're on different buses, pollution
But we're both using petrol
Bombs. from the Young Ones.

Mark Beckman · Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 5:16 am Post subject:

Grew up in Melbourne and live in Brissy.

China aint great for pollution, much worse than Oz most places (hell with this many people I wonder why the place doesnt blow up when someone lights a ciggy with all the methane from the spicy food Very Happy

) but isnt it food that has more of an effect on asthma ?

My Wife hasnt had asthma problems since we been here, its the other end you suffer Embarassed

Medication may be your next issue, make sure you bring the time period supply with you.

rickinbeijing · Joined: 22 Jan 2005 Posts: 252 Location: Beijing, China

Uh, do not go there, do not pass go, do not collect 2000 RMB.

Xi'an is one of the Four Furnaces of China in the summer and has terrific sandstorms in spring from time to time besides air pollution from factories.

If you want to avoid air pollution, that eliminates about 90% of cities of any size in China. Really.

Try Kunming, but good luck finding a decent paying job. Otherwise, Harbin might be good since at least the cold air will blow most of it out. Or Weihai in Shandong, or Qingdao are passable.

Good luck and don't sneeze your brains out.

Mugato · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 120 Location: Here and There

if you have ANY sinus problems, don't come to china. even the less polluted cities will be worse than anything you are likely to ever have experienced.

ilunga · Joined: 17 Oct 2003 Posts: 842 Location: China

I think Xi'an is a really nice city, at least in spring anyway. Summer is hot but more bearable than Guangdong. It's probably a bit grim in winter but then so are a lot of places in China.

As others have said, I don't think Xi'an is a lot worse than other cities pollution-wise. Kunming, Dalian, Eastern Shandong are a lot cleaner though.