Wondering...
I'm doing a MSc in science at a decent UK university. Before my course I lived in China for a while, and now, as the final days of my course is upon me, I'm considering to do a PhD there. I've found an enticing opportunity at a well reputable Chinese university. I'm excited for the experience and, of course, the science.

There's always a lot of ads for China PhDs etc, but I never really heard of anyone from the west going there to study anything but Chinese. It's always Chinese going to the West.

I know there are differences in terms of focus of education, guanxi, funding, language, culture, etc
But are the difference between the top institutions in China and elsewhere still that large? Chinese students are really not dumb.

As far as funding is concerned, there is a lot of investment in science by the Chinese government. "Invented in China" is one of the new goals. I suspect that there could be some interesting things happening there as well over the next few years.

  I'd like to ask two questions for whoever reads this: In what way do you think doing a PhD in China could benefit a westerner? I've been searching a bit to find some sort of authoritative view on it, alas with no luck.

Any insights?
  Thanks

  p.s. check the poll, I'm curious...

Firstly, what a great idea !

I agree it's quite an unusual prospect going to a Chinese university, or even many Asian universities generally, but as the world gets more and more globalised it's probably going to become more and more common. There are some great universities in China, very research intensive, which consistently score highly in World University Rankings - Beida springs to mind as comparable to Oxbridge or Ivy League.

In terms of benefit, well, employers always like to see if you'd done something "different" - I don't know what your long term plans are but going out to a different culture, with a different language and living and studying would be seen as very positive by many employers. Plus if you're publishing in well rated journals then the quality of your work will hopefully speak for itself.

Hopefully some more people can give a more detailed view on what it's actually like, but I would say go for it, I'm really struggling to think of anything but benefits. Especially if you've already been there so it won't be a total culture shock either.

sorry this is out-of-topic but someone just forwarded me an email of "Wal-Mart in China" with photos of dead crocodiles sold next to seafood. Also "dried snakes", the photos look so convincing.

Is this true, reptiles are a part of the normal diet in china. Sorry for this stupid question.
just curious.
thanks
love satchi

That's random...

...but being of the same size order as Europe, China is extremely diverse in culture, climate, and culinary arts. There is a huge difference between urban and rural lifestyles. Most supermarkets are obviously in the developed areas, and they seem mostly to be Korean or American. Chinese seem to prefer to buy food from market places, I think. And you'll find all sorts there. I can't remember seeing any snakes, or other amphibians, but it wouldn't surprise me if they were common diet elsewhere. You should try it. I'm sure it's not that bad.
I tried frogs, but they have that in France as well...

"tastes like chicken"

wow so there is a possibility those were real photos :-)
I just remembered years back someone also forwarded me photos of a human (female) being chopped up and put in a pot (sorry for telling you) but I didnt know if those were fake photos, but they seemed real and so scary I deleted that mail immediately.

I would like to visit China one day, and I know I will go.
love satchi

I would say go for it! An amazing opportunity and experience. And you would have both a PhD and by the end a high competence in a language that few Westener's ever have.

I did part of my PhD overseas in Europe and there were a number of staff at the institute who were Germans who had studied for their humanities PhD's partly in China or using Chinese material. They are in huge demand and on-pulse right now as research bodies are increasingly interested in funding projects in this direction involving exchange...