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6.2 Interesting remarks on individual APEC economies by survey respondents

6.2 Interesting remarks on individual APEC economies by survey respondents

Economy	Positive remarks	Negative remarks
Australia	We decided to move back to Australia from Germany to work and live, because of the lifestyle. The high ratio of compensation to cost of living in Australia. Students are more informed in the campus. Students are well guided by supervisors, who share knowledge is needed by the students. Supervisors are supportive and approachable. Accommodation close to the university is always available. The medical care to be relatively cheap with ''free'' hospitalisation and doctors since fees are automatically deducted from salary. "Food is mixed". "Culture is mixed but OK". Buses going to different places with timetables available everyday makes commuting within the economy quite easy. It is very easy and cheap to have one's own means of transport in Australia, which allows for the family including kids to travel together more comfortably, as compared to some other countries like Singapore.	While one of the visiting researcher's interest level was more on natural products, the local's interest was on synthetic type of wool.   Early childhood education is also expensive. A deterioration of public schools in the Australian education system has been observed by some. For some of the English-speaking researchers of other countries it has been difficult to understand the local English accent. High cost of international phone calls.
Brunei	Able to undertake relevant scientific research Ability to research on subjects of personal interest	Brunei visa is very bureaucratic and unhelpful, as commented by one of the researchers.
Canada	Canadians are very hospitable to foreigners and have a multi-cultural society, relatively free of racism. Their public policies are advanced and excellent and quality of research and academic life is high. Multiculturalism is encouraged in Canada My Canadian postdoctoral experience was one of the most enjoyable periods of my career. An excellent post-doctoral research scheme (1960-62) was awarded each year for world wide competition with generous tax free recompense. Canada was a fine place to live and work - no problems for students on a scholarship Canada is advanced in women's and other social policy . Public transport system and extent of publicity information is excellent for guests.	Spouse is not allowed to work. Cost of rental accommodation meant that the standard of living decreased. Extreme of cold in winter, heat and humidity took time to acclimatise. Lot of paperwork for children's schooling (both primary and high school). Parking is prohibitive in the cities. In places like Quebec, where the language spoken is mainly French, it is interesting but difficult to communicate. Visa factors are awkward with restrictions
Chile	Collaborative research agreements with institutes in these countries To join the family TV for 65 cable satellite channels approx. available. No visa is required for research visits.	Educational and health programs revolution have not been made. Justice and sports are also two aspects where no revolution has been made.
China	China has a potential for development of mutually beneficial collaborative research programs. Collaborative research program jointly funded by two countries like Australia and China under Development Assistance (AUSAID and ACIAR) projects or other foreign aid research collaborations has been one of the good points. ACIAR projects are not intended to require long-term residence but to permit involvement of senior scientists from Australia with institutions in partner countries. Australians need not make judgements about countries such as China until they have been visiting for more than 5 years and have lived among the locals and understood their culture. Visa procedures were a little complicated but not unduly so.	The main difficulty working in China is the restrictions they place on their own country's people. This slows down the rate of progress of research activities. However, things are improving. Medical facilities would be a factor in any decision to work in China. Also, environmental pollution and air quality would be a major factor for long term residence. "I have worked on projects involving China for more than 10 years but for periodic and short-term (not more than 4 weeks at a time). I would not have participated in these projects had long-term residence in China been required."
Hong Kong, China	Hong Kong is generally a good place to work for young people. However, not a good place to live especially when you want to raise a family. Hong Kong is a highly organised and a hi-tech country. Most of the locals are also educated abroad. Facilities were equipped for a long time. Advanced information transfer facilities are available. Information is readily available if you know where to look. No need to bargain with upper management. Sufficient funding. Foreign scholar highly regarded. Situation of equality between natives and foreigners seems to exist. Cooperative employer. Wide and excellent choices on food. Most medical insurance provide coverage. Religious life is free to choose from.	It is hard to find middle level jobs. For Westerners, it is either a 'managerial' job or nothing. Employers are reluctant (if not unwilling) to sponsor foreigners for their work visa. Hard to find training classes in English. Universities are becoming very authoritarian. Lack of truly "free" press. Libraries could be better equipped. Did not receive assistance from parent US institute. Host researchers should be more proactive. Expertise at higher levels was not consistent. Very little guidance from host researchers. Few experienced people in certain fields and hence sharing information becomes difficult. Difficult to find information about Asia (HK) in Canada. Hong Kong has many fellow China researchers. Project deadlines always pushed back but funding is usually adequate. Career prospects are worse now since economy is bad. Have some choices in choosing projects. Project deadlines are sometimes rigid but often flexible Accommodation quarters are too small. Climate not easy to adapt to since it is unpredictable. Now Chinese restaurants are expensive. Language of communication and the culture is also largely Chinese or Cantonese. Culture is money, money, money and hard to accept. TV programs are bad, radio good. Hong Kong is too expensive a place for an independent scholar so maintenance allowance not sufficient. Children education is expensive.
Indonesia	Indonesia is a high priority country for ACIAR. It permits access to research funds. Indonesia has a great need for academic support. Its unique river/ocean interactions, which is a research opportunity. Oceanographic research is done on ships at sea. Indonesia and Australia have ships that could co-operate. Good cooperation with foreign researchers once visa obtained.	Sanitation is a problem. Recent riots and unrest, and pollution and subsequent effects on health are some of the negative factor for avoiding Indonesia as remarked by another Australian born researcher. Malaria is one of the examples.
Japan	Japan is an interesting place to work but the comment "you are never japanese" unless you are a native rings true. It was an opportunity to do research in a non-Western situation. Japan is a lovely place and an opportunity to work there again would be most welcome. Japan is well intended towards visiting researchers. Japanese people are kind, nice and hospitable. Japan as a destination for scientific collaboration Special treatment by the training co-ordinators and adviser. Myself and my family enjoyed life in Japan more than most foreigners. This is because we had experience in living in other Asian countries, which helped. Also we joined a Japanese speaking church where we made lots of friends and could share a common faith, though not a common language. Also we did not have unrealistically high expectations at the beginning of our visit. If visa is arranged by host, it helps a lot. Easy to get research visa for Japan. Japan requires no visa from New Zealand citizens. It is very happy to live in a low crime rate economy". Streets are very safe in Kyoto and clean (no grafitti as well). Safe and secure place to stay. High self and social discipline.	The social factors could cause resistance towards a long term stay (even for a year). Culture prevents real scientific research. The level of pollution is very disheartening as compared to some of the cleaner cities of America. Working with host researcher was simply impossible. Difficulties on individual encroachment, (group activities are preferred). Racial discrimination. Foreigners can be treated with doubt with mistrust. Lack of communication due to culture only. No technical discussion, debate or compromise. Some companies in Japan would be very appealing to work for. Other environments are not so appealing depending on individual cases. In Japan, the experience depends very much on the host. Sometimes the relationship with the boss is not good and the experience may become unpleasant. In some ways (at work and with availability of travel information in English) Japan is very good. Some things, however, are not so open to foreigners (compared to the USA e.g. financial institutions, some housing). I had difficulty in travelling within Japan using the train because of unfamiliarity with the directions of places in train stations. In Japan, there are too many regulations for visiting researchers regarding the ability to go overseas for a conference or short holiday. Visa cannot be extended even for a week to allow the trainee to visit other places. Government and NGO, private sectors did not receive equal opportunities for visa periods. Even when employed as a civil servant, vias has to be renewed yearly, and additional fees paid for re-entry permits.
Mexico		For Mexico, there are less government exchange agreements.
New Zealand	"Its unique scientific resources is software and the quality of life is good although the infrastructure is only fairly good". "Interesting place to work in especially on Maori issues". "Living in New Zealand is most enjoyable"
Papua New Guinea	Unique scientific resources I have been working on diseases of tropical horticulture chose Papua New Guinea because of its convenient geographic location and receptiveness to Australian researchers.	Bureaucratic corruption is a major impediment to scientific research. Research in PNG is done because of the unique river/ocean interactions, which is a research opportunity. Most factors are associated with remote areas. In large centres telecommunications are outrageously expensive Air travel to and from and within PNG is monopolised and expensive. Facilities at most airports are very basic, and Air Niugini schedules are unreliable. Visa requirements sometimes change suddenly. Personal safety is a matter of concern in this country. There are large differences between the high risk areas of Port Moresby and Lae and the rest of the country.
Philippines	"The greatest problem for researchers in Australia wishing to work in other APEC countries is lack of financial resources within our country for doing so. This very severe problem is compounded by the fact that we are judged by external funding agencies to be 'First World' and therefore not in need of the same kind of assistance as those researchers from much poorer places. Which is, of course true, but also not true at the same time. Other APEC countries might warn the Australian government/s that constantly to cut funds for research on that which seems 'irrelevant' to economic growth is dangerously to dim our understanding of our region and ourselves". "We had a contract with the lab in Manila". "I perceived unaccompanied guided travel within the country as dangerous".	The biggest problem in the Philippines is the lack of research facilities (including basic things such as easy access to photocopiers, even on university campuses) and the lack of systematically kept and organised resources in key places such as the national library. "I always travel very well and enjoyed my visits to Manila. The staff I visited always went out of their way to take me around". There is a lack of reasonably priced, non-luxury accommodation in Manila. Also the lack of such medical facilities as readily available screened blood products is a negative factor. Air, noise and visual pollution can be very debilitating, depressing and frustrating. The only appropriate housing is hotel type of accommodation in Manila centre. I feel I would only work for short periods of time here because of spouse's career and children's education. It would be useful to be able to get a visa as a visiting researcher (who is not being paid by any Philippine employer); so that one need not travel to the BID every few weeks to get the tourist visa renewed. Telephone services vastly improved lately though sometimes they were still frustrating and expensive. Traffic in Manila has been getting worse every year and is not conducive to travelling around the city to all necessary research points.
Singapore	It is positive working in Singapore but many aspects could be easily improved. I had the main opportunity to make a positive contribution in a new initiative.	There are some advanced facilities, but there seems to be a problem in recruiting trained personnel and retaining them. Low priority given to training on the job. Too much paperwork compared to other economies. People are often made to feel uncomfortable expressing their opinions or suggestions about how to improve the work place (e.g.efficiency). Difficulty in obtaining equipment and reagents in reasonable time. Safety at workplace can be a problem. Facility supplies are slow. No help provided in finding accommodation. Accommodation has hidden problems e.g. noisy renovations in complex, and is also expensive with subsidy. Medical insurance coverage is very poor e.g. no coverage for problems during pregnancy (normally included in other economies). Cultural life is a bit dull - mostly shopping and dining out. Could be a wider range of activities. Air pollution (haze) can be very bad during several months of the year. People are often too busy for social interaction. Restrictions on spouse being able to get employment pass. Ease or Getting accommodation is location dependent. Climate is hot and humid. I would have liked my employer to continue the subsidy for children education even after becoming a permanent resident of the country. This is important for children who would have to change to the local system of education, after having studied for a few years in an international school with a different system due to high costs. High risks for expats being fleeced over rent, lease terms etc. Outpatient clinics are everywhere, but services provided is often sub-standard. Hospitals are modern but costly. Visa should be issued at the time of handling application and visa for relatives should be made easier. Consumer protection laws are not strong or are not enforced carefully.
Chinese Taipei		I worked as a physical geographer and hence maps and air photos were basic to such work. These are classified documents in Chinese Taipei and inaccessible to foreigners. Other relevant data sources are of poor quality and restricted access (e.g. streamflow information). A whole raft of data and information which are taken for granted in Australia are almost unobtainable in Chinese Taipei (and most Asian countries). Accommodation in Chinese Taipei is very expensive. For accommodation other than hotel stay, local support is needed and this is not forthcoming. Maintenance of house is a problem. Medical facilities is OK provided one has adequate insurance. Famous hospitals are always crowded. Special medical fees for foreigners. Cost structure for travel acceptable, but frequency of flights and lack of direct flights frustrating. Language of communication is Mandarin. Internet connectivity is slow. No international driving license is allowed. Safety is an issue in travelling.
Thailand	Best work opportunities and best resources are in Bangkok but quality of life is poor there Treatment of foreigners is better than that of native workers of a similar position.	I have worked in Thailand for about 8 years but for periodic and short-term (not more than 2 weeks at a time). I would not have participated in these projects had long-term residence in Thailand been required. Obtaining currency from banks and ATMs has been difficult sometimes. It is difficult to feel confident of medical facilties. Generally low English language skills among the population Visa and entry regulations have some difficulties due to bureaucracy, but lessening. A lack of rule of law is a strong negative. Crime rate is OK but high level of corruption. Present economic downturn in region has some effect. The crime rate among foreigners is good, but there is a high rate of crime among natives. Government changes frequently and is more concerned about personal interests than the country. Police corruption is widespread.
USA	"My emigrating to the USA in 1969 was based principally on my treatment as a post-doctoral fellow in 1964-66. I was impressed by the fact that well-known senior scientists actually listened to what I had to say. My initial appointment at Georgia Tech (1965-66) was as an Associate Professor. I never was an Assistant Prof. I became a US citizen in 1976". "The USA has a large range of centres of excellence, which was worth spending longer time there, but it is expensive". "I worked there on a NATO Fellowship, so I could only go to a NATO country I had worked with the US researchers during my Ph.D". "Most things were positive in USA. That is why I spend 12 years. However, I did not like the glass ceiling that foreign researchers have when compared with native ones". "I worked in the USA prior to marriage and children. Issues of spouse's career and children's education would now effect my choices". The US is tremendous work environment for a post-doctoral scientist. "I designed and built my own advanced facilities (atmospheric radars)". Information is readily available. Degrees from Australia and US are recognised world-wide. US showcases state-of-art technologies on pollution prevention. Support and supervision from host researchers are adequate. Academic, Government agencies, NGO's generously share information or technical expertise. Host researchers/ supervisors are flexible to support researchers meet project deadlines.	Racism. Currency exchange rates. Guns in USA and safety for family could be a negative factor. Possibility to move to the USA to work and live had to be ruled out because of the difficulty in getting a work permit for wife. Differential treatment for some foreigners e.g. Chinese, at some government institutions. Research group was mostly Asian at the USA university, hence it was difficult to associate with Americans, and it felt like one was in Asia most of the time, not USA. Medical and rental expenses are high. Family/children life was not easy for wife and 3 daughters. Family/children's health was negative due to the high cost of treatment for minor family ailments. Private health insurance is expensive. "My son has a pre-existing condition, therefore impossible to get insurance cover". Landlord failed to return large deposit. Heavy restrictions due to lack of social security number. Couldn’t get the cricket commentary. Long hours to reach destination. On the west coast, you need a car to get anywhere. On the east coast you don’t want to drive since getting through the custom in LA is always very slow. Telephones were found to be very expensive in hotels and public STD phones were not easily accessible. Phone cost was relatively cheaper than the Philippines. Visa restrictions for wife (professional). Visa was very expensive for the whole family (2 adults and 5 children).