Expat academics: it's a wonderful life

Matthew Bonnett arrived in Hong Kong in 2008, liked what he saw, and he worked there ever since. He tells

Helena Pozniak

on culture, rewards and academic life of the region

Expat life was good for Matthew Bonnett, Assistant Professor in the accounts of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Not only has he met his American girlfriend, although Cantonese lessons, is able to indulge his passion for football weekends.

"I built with some of its inhabitants, mainly through the local soccer league. 'S Nice to go to different sports, watch the games and make friends. "Hong Kong can be international or local, depending on your preferences, and a west face not resist." If you've never Asian summer before you can still have the comfort but slowly dip a toe in the life of Asia, "said Bonnett.

Like many academics who have uprooted Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, Bonnett has been here long enough - since 2008 - and an incentive to remain in place for at least three years. Anyone living in Hong Kong for seven consecutive years can apply for permanent residence - and then enjoy most of the rights of Hong Kong citizens, including the right to vote

growth area

"This is an exciting time for proper training the next generation of business leaders, with the balance of power is gradually shifting from the United States to China," said Bonnett. Wages are generous investment in higher education is high this month CUHK faculty moved his business to a new 15-storey building

In addition, Hong Kong universities are ranked among the best in Asia. Three universities in Hong Kong are among the top 50 in the world by Quacquarelli Symonds this year (QS) ranking - and institutions by recruiting foreign teachers to improve its international profile. "You can make a lot of money here in academia from the United Kingdom," said Bonnett.

A strong work ethic

• And education is not free, international officials say they have taken the plunge. Students are encouraged - students face stiff competition for places at universities in Hong Kong and it is not uncommon to see students on campus strawberry costume
• Academic
• say the work ethic is strong in all institutions, faculty undergraduate. "It is common to see lights in the offices of people late at night or on weekends," says Dr Wouter Stam, who left Amsterdam to teach the management of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) in 2009. "During the summer, universities [Amsterdam] would be like ghost towns. Here, the powers continue to work. "Stam is more reserved than his colleagues back home." People in Hong Kong are very family oriented - when they have free time, it is likely that it will not happen with expatriates could not go back. "

For students, Bonnett said his cohort tend to be driven and ambitious, but shy to speak. While Hong Kong local university to easily switch between Mandarin Cantonese and English, you can work here with only English - although universities can offer subsidized language courses

Bonnett come alone, but find families to go international competition for primary places is high, so it is important to apply early. CUHK Bonnett helped with paperwork on arrival and provided a housing allowance - the cost of property in Hong Kong is famous for steep and many international researchers choose to live on campus. Cheap but life more than makes up for it - wages are taxed at 15%, the restaurants are good quality and a taxi fare is available in less than two pounds

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