Ask HN: Where to live internationally while learning to program? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Where to live internationally while learning to program?

#11

Post by hackandtravel » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 2:49 AM UTC

faz wrote: post #9

pso wrote: post #6

If you've not travelled much, then perhaps South America might be an easier introduction than asia, and some basic Spanish is probably easier to pick up than the majority of non-European languages. Im currently in medellin, colombia, 2Mb/s broadband with cable tv,phone, costs around $50/month, and my reasonable sized apartment is $370/month (6 month contract). In buenos aires, rentals were almost double for something…

I don't think language is a problem in India in cities like Bangalore [I'm currently staying here]. Anyone knowing English can survive here. In terms of expenses also the broadband along with phone would be under $50/month. Also in terms of accommodation you could get a good sized apartment for $300/month. And there are other places to look around in India other than Goa :) Can't speak much about places outside of In…

Thanks for the helpful response.

How has your time in Bangalore been?

While traveling, I would like to eat tasty food. Having a good night life in the city I am is ideal. Being able to visit beautiful nature and sites to see in and around where I am staying is great. Still not 100% sure what I want out of my travels 100% but I hope that gives a bit of a better picture.

As far as a program, it could be anything from university classes (unlikely to work on my timeframe, to the ability of getting quality local tutors to help me, to something like the Hacker Dojo http://wiki.hackerdojo.com/w/page/25437/FrontPage). Anything that could accelerate my learning.

Re: Ask HN: Where to live internationally while learning to program?

#12

Post by sudont » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 3:09 AM UTC

You might want to look into an internship or classes abroad: really, any sort of structured program. Unless you’re a hardcore autodidact, the combination of interesting everywhere and an unfamiliar, difficult subject might be too much, and you’ll end up not learning at all. This is almost a cliché with writers and artists, where they go abroad to be inspired and make art, and only come back inspired. As Dorothy Gambrell put it:

"Someone who shouldn’t be in charge of these things gave me a grant to make a short film about tourism in Western Europe. So between the manufacture of the last cartoon and this one I left North America for the first time, spending about three weeks in the UK-France-Germany-Italy. What did I get out of the trip? 'Elgin waffles.’” http://catandgirl.com/?p=1606

Re: Ask HN: Where to live internationally while learning to program?

#13

Post by pdelgallego » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 10:03 AM UTC

If you are not very traveled in Asia I recommend Singapore, everybody speaks English, the food is terrific, the weather is warm, and have a nice tech scene. I really like Philippines, a easy going and down to earth people. Good food, not as good as the Thai or Indian cuisine.

I know much better South and Central America. I recommend you Colombia (Cartagena de Indias is quite popular among Americans, but I prefer other places) and Costa Rica.

(Disclosure I am from Spain, but I haven't been there for ages).

Spain is also a great place to live. Very easy going people, lots of expats in South Spain, Barcelona Madrid or Bilbao. An world class food experience, extremely 'Fiesta' oriented and vibrant culture. In cities like Granada or Malaga a share flat with two people can cost around $250. From Malaga using Ryan Air and other low cost companies you can fly almost to anywhere in Europe for around $50-$70. You can also try to emulate Hemingway and be a bull runner in Pamplona.

Dont forget about Mexico!

Re: Ask HN: Where to live internationally while learning to program?

#14

Post by toumhi » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 11:22 AM UTC

Asia or Latin America: a bit broad my friend :-) Do you prefer big cities or relaxed countryside? What kind of things would you like to do? If you don't like mountains, Nepal is not the right country etc.

If I had to pick one place in each:

South America: Buenos Aires, Argentina. A european touch, affordable prices, great culture & nightlife, a beautiful country. There are also a few tech companies there so there might be user groups etc

Asia: I haven't been there, but I heard good things about Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is quite a diverse country, and there is a thriving developer & entrepreneur community there.

Coincidentally, I'm about to live internationally and start my business. I'm going to travel 5 months in South-East Asia, staying for a few weeks/months in each location. My first stop will be... Kuala Lumpur :-)