![]() ![]() During my year of studies in Shanghai, when I would walk with fellow students on the Bund, another skyscraper went up next to the legendary ‘bottle opener’ tower. But it’s just that local developers look beyond the horizon of events, which, as we now understand, does great harm to the country’s economy. ![]() In China, they build things in advance, and so social networks often show pictures of empty cities and districts and accompany those with various conspiracy theories about China. You see how an entire city block goes up in one month. After you get over the first impression, you begin to notice the amazing pace of the country’s development. But to see it with your own eyes - the situation is incredible, unbelievable. Everyone knows that the population density is growing there and about the incredible urbanisation that is taking place. The first thing that strikes you in China is the enormous number of people. What do you think makes this country so interesting? I had really liked Shanghai University during my first year of studies, so I was happy to study and work there for my one-year internship. I worked in Beijing during my second year and got a one-year internship as part of one of the many agreements that the HSE School of Oriental Studies had with Chinese universities. After finishing our first year, we could go to Beijing or Shanghai universities as exchange students. I had several internships during my studies. Photo by Mikhail Dmitriev/ HSE University So, these factors determined my choice, and HSE - as the most advanced university at that time with a super-progressive programme, new methods and unique paradigm for teaching Oriental Studies - was very attractive and beat out other universities. What’s more, the Oriental Studies programme did not have any advanced math classes, which I would never have passed. I knew English and Spanish, and I wanted to learn Chinese. ![]() I had a clear aptitude for languages, but none for the exact sciences. It was obvious to me that I should try to work in the Chinese economy, what with its booming development and enormous population and IT sector. Back then, BRICS was gathering momentum and the global outlook was bright and sunny. It was the first time the public saw media reports saying that Russia and China were not only great powers but also brothers. And 10 years ago, the media were reporting even more impressive figures on the growth of the economy and the strengthening of various international ties. I considered the HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, political science and Moscow State University, but then it hit me that an education connected with China would offer a great deal of opportunity.Įverything we hear about China right now is remarkable. I scored well on the state exams in high school and this opened the doors to many universities. That remains my first and only formal higher education, despite my current activities. I joined the newly opened Department of Oriental Studies at HSE in 2009. How did you tie your education to the East and discover your interest in China? In this interview with Success Builder, he explains how an ex-pat can earn a living in China, why HSE teaches students about the ‘living’ East and how to ‘retool’ from Sinologist to journalist. Vladimir Todorov, graduate of the HSE Oriental Studies bachelor’s programme, once studied and worked in China, but has leveraged that international experience to build a successful career as a journalist and now works as chief editor of the portal. Choosing a specific subject to major in at a university does not mean you will never become a ‘specialist with a broad profile’. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |