Software engineer in Beijing dreams of new life in Montreal, Canada
Software engineer choking in Beijing's smog dreams of a new life in Montreal's clean air
Living in a standalone house, jogging in the morning, going to work in his own car, weekends camping, travelling around North America during holidays - that's how Alden Pang imagines life in Montreal.
"There will be a similar daily routine, but the quality of life should be much better," said the 32-year-old who lives in Beijing with his wife. After working for a foreign online game developer, he is starting his own company with friends in Beijing.
Despite his promising career prospects, he applied for a Canadian visa last month, a decision he carefully weighed up.
"I could exercise outdoors in the morning, but here, with this dirty air, I dare not do so," he said. "The environment, medical care, education resources … they're all absolutely better than here."
I could exercise outdoors in the morning, but here, with this dirty air, I dare not do so. The environment, medical care, education resources … they're all absolutely better than here
To prepare for his application, Pang took French classes at a language-training centre between September 2011 and last November. About 90 per cent of his classmates were studying for the same purpose. He said classes were so popular that even hallways were crowded with people.