China, South Korea & Vietnam: What living and working in Asia taught me
Attending Saint John’s University (Minnesota) in the late 1990s, I was inspired by my history and Asian studies professor to explore beyond America’s borders and discover the exciting region Asia offered.
What I didn’t realize is that my Asia sojourn would span three countries and eight years at different stages of my life and career.
My pathway into Asia started by teaching English in Guangdong province, China.
China’s 21 century rise
During the 2000s, China mesmerized the world by its economic world ascendancy.
From our classroom discussions, my students didn’t hold back their excitement for China’s gradual rise measured by its economic potential. They spoke confidently and took great pride in China’s Pacific century aspirations.
Back roll, left: Chinese English students are happy and optimistic
By all indications, it seemed like Chinese business opportunities were a floodgate to the wild west. Western companies such as Starbucks, Ford, Volkswagan, Caterpillar, and Nike were rushing into the Middle Kingdom to cash in on China’s rise.
During this period in America there was overwhelming desire for parents to push their kids to learn Mandarin Chinese, the new global business language we were told, while new and innovative joint- college and university programs were sprouting everywhere between the two countries.
Front left with hat: Enjoying the day at the park with my students. Circa, 2000
At the turn of the last century, China was an aspiring country where optimism for its future attracted westerner’s from around the world---including myself---to learn its culture, history and language in order to take advantage of the economic opportunities that would be bestowed upon us.
Into the future: South Korea’s high-tech society
Shortly after finishing my Asian studies master’s degree and East-West Center fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2006 I found myself yearning for another stint in Asia, this time to Seoul, South Korea.
As a Pagoda Language Institute English teacher in the heart of the city, I was astonished by Korea's remarkable balance of tradition and modernity.
Downtown Seoul, Korea
Everywhere I would go, I witnessed Korean architecture, customs, and history displayed in buildings, nightlife, and society-at-large.
I found Koreans to be culturally aware and proud, while embracing western popular trends, such as hip-hop music, fast-food, mountain biking, and Western attire.
One unfortunate societal economic developmental by-product I would soon witness was the extreme academic pressure students were under.
In order to get ahead in society, every student was enrolled in evening extra-curricular courses six-days-a-week. Parents put extra pressure on their kids in order to enroll into elite and prestigious colleges or even at universities abroad in Australia, Canada and the United States.
Young Koreans seemed almost robbed of their freedom to be kids, their playtime, and adolescent development, all in an effort to attain the highest test scores and admission into elite schools.
Despite this reality, I was very impressed with Korea and its people and never experienced any other country that could retain its history and culture while embracing modern technology and globalism as South Korea did.
Southeast Asia’s rising star: Vietnam’s emergence
By 2017, once again I yearned to spend considerable time in Asia and decided to join the digital nomad wave by living and working remotely in Thailand and Vietnam.
Running an Amazon FBA store and attempting to build upon my ecommerce businesses, traveling throughout Southeast Asia made for cheap living accommodations and an adventurous lifestyle.
Overlooking one of Vietnam’s coastal beach cities.
Fully furnished apartments were only $500 US dollars a month, meals for a few bucks, and cafes and co-working spaces were affordable.
Moreover, most of my domestic responsibilities such as laundry, house cleaning, and transportation could be outsourced cheaply, making enjoying life a premium.
Just before Covid set in, I was offered a sourcing manager role in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and, for the next four years, was able to gain a front row seat at Vietnam’s hot manufacturing industry.
On my way to a manufacturing site visit.
Since former President Trump’s 2018 US-China trade war, Vietnam became the new darling as companies were searching for a China-plus-one strategy.
When Westerners hear Vietnam, the majority default to thinking about the unfortunate and tragic 1960s conflict and the psychological scars and emotions that are associated with the war.
In Vietnam, on the other hand, half of the 100 million population are under 35 and have no recollection of the war and its aftermath; most are excited about Vietnam’s high-tech, manufacturing, and exporting opportunities and have embraced its newfound role in Southeast Asia.
Conclusion
If Parag Khanna’s The Future is Asian: Commerce, Conflict, and Culture in the 21st Century (2019) is any indication of the new world order, I am grateful to having experienced Asia’s rise first-hand.
Getting a better understanding of its people, culture, and history through travel, work, and everyday social interaction has given me a diverse global perspective from one of the most influential and thriving regions in the world.
