Harbin: A City Off the Beaten Path

Harbin: A City Off the Beaten Path

In this episode of the AK Compass Podcast, Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi talk about Harbin, a city off the beaten path. Karolina looks back on her visit from almost 20 years ago and shares why this lesser-known Chinese city, with its Russian and Chinese influences and famous ice and snow festival, left such a lasting impression on her. They discuss what made Harbin feel so different from other cities in China at the time, from the intense attention Karolina received as a white European woman to the culture shock of highly specialized jobs, six-day workweeks, and everyday life there. The conversation also touches on the locals’ surprise when meeting European visitors in Harbin, the importance of having great local tour guides, and the challenges of traveling in a place that could feel unfamiliar in many ways. Karolina also shares experiences about the good and the bad. These include hotel overpricing, restaurants limiting foreigners to the most expensive dishes, and food that was sometimes almost too fresh, including live fish shown before it was prepared. Among the highlights of the trip were Sun Island and the Temple of Bliss. She also shares her visit to a big cat nature reserve where the animals roam freely, along with a funny story from there. The episode also reflects on safety in a broader sense, including unwanted attention, inappropriate comments, and scams on the streets and also how guides help to protect visitors from these situations. Karolina closes with practical tips for travelers, while the episode also notes how much Harbin has changed since then, becoming more modern and developing into a technological hub.

Race to Net Zero – Business, Leadership and the Future of the World

In the new AK Compass Podcast episode, Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi talk with Irén Márta, Managing Director of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary, about her journey into sustainability leadership, the Race to Zero campaign, and how companies can stay committed to net zero and circular economy goals beyond compliance. We also touch on global examples from Costa Rica to China, and why Irén remains cautiously optimistic that even if we do not reach all our goals, we have already avoided the worst outcomes and must keep aiming higher. Net zero targets are everywhere, but what does it really take for businesses to move from ambition to action?

Trieste & Slovenia: Beautiful Destinations, Patchy Infrastructure

In this episode, Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi talk about Karolina’s experience visiting Trieste as a multi-day destination, not just a one‑day stopover. She highlights the city’s seaside atmosphere, historic center, Roman ruins, Roman Theatre, and Miramare Castle by the sea perfect for a relaxed day trip or half‑day outing. She also explains how easy it is to add Slovenia into the mix: Ljubljana, Predjama Castle, Postojna Cave, and Lake Bled can all work as day trips or short stays from a Trieste base. At the same time, she points out infrastructure issues in the region: limited and often overpriced nighttime transport from the airport, plus cross‑border connections into Slovenia that can feel fragmented or infrequent. For a smoother trip, she suggests treating Trieste as a base, planning transport in advance, allowing extra time for connections, and avoiding the temptation to rush everything into a single day. This city and the region are  truly multicultural and special, best explored over several days.

Indonesia at a Crossroads: Faith, Sustainability, and Visitor Impact

In this episode of the AK Compass Podcast, hosts Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi welcome Ifan Mahdiyat Sofiana, Minister Counsellor at the Indonesian Embassy in Budapest, to explore sustainable and culturally respectful tourism in Indonesia. With over 20 years of diplomatic experience, he shares insights into Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity, religious etiquette, and responsible travel practices. Learn how to engage respectfully with local communities, understand traditions like the use of beautiful batik, and discover lesser-known facts about the country. We discuss overtourism in destinations like Bali, highlight under-visited islands worth exploring, and share practical tips on eco-friendly travel, conservation, volunteering possibilities and protecting Indonesia’s natural environment. The episode also covers travel safety, including advice for solo female travelers and how to avoid common scams.

London Living: From Commutes to Culture

In this episode of the podcast, we dive deep into living in London as a global multicultural hub – not just visiting as a tourist, but truly experiencing pre-Brexit London as a student expat. Karolina Czako shares her authentic story of immersing in the city's fast-paced, crowded megacity life, from student life in London and UK university education to navigating its vibrant mix of arts, business, and international influences. Discover how London shaped her mindset through hands-on, practical education, where the city itself served as a living classroom, blending liberal arts benefits with specialized studies alongside top professionals. She covers daily life in London, like coping with long commutes via reading, building habits like switching to tea, and London safety tips for women amid common city scams. With humorous takes on British culture, plus serious reflections on urban living challenges, social issues, environmental sustainability, and what it takes to belong in a global city like London. Perfect for fans of study abroad experiences, expat stories, city living tips, and sustainable travel insights – tune in to rethink how you connect with London and beyond!