Studying abroad in Hong Kong at the University of Hong Kong was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  The experience of a new culture, educational system, and government has broadened my perspectives on how the world works as a whole.  If anyone is intimidated by visiting an East Asian country, I assure you that you can get by with knowing no more than Jackie Chan and dim sum.  It is literally a cultural kaleidoscope with a blend of the East and West.  Keep in mind that Cantonese is the primary language used, but English is a very close second. 

          To give you an idea of a typical day in Hong Kong for me, allow me to take you on a photographic tour.  The day started with a 30 minute walk or 7 minute bus ride to the university.


Unfortunately, there were quite a few stairs and uphill climbs, but there is a reason why the people of Hong Kong have a high life expectancy.  Then, after class I would usually meet up with some friends, both local and international, to have what they call “tea.” 
One thing you learn in Hong Kong is that there are five meals a day and as many “teas” as you would like between meals.  Needless to say, the 30 minute walk to school was needed to keep off the pounds.  After “tea” and the rest of my classes, I had the afternoon and evening free to explore what Hong Kong was all about.

The public transportation system was amazingly convenient. 
I would take the double-decker buses, MTR (subway), and minibuses frequently. 
All transportation is conveniently paid for by a single Octopus card that you can continually refill with money; you can also use it at grocery stores and convenient stores.

Some of the nearby sites to see were Victoria’s peak,

Victoria harbor,

and lots of shopping malls!  My favorite place to shop was Causeway Bay where you can usually find a good blend of European styles as well as Eastern fashions.  Several markets were also nearby, which were good for souvenirs and practicing bargaining skills. 

          One thing you have to remember about Hong Kong is that it is only 1,000 square kilometers total. It is very easy to get around.  After all, you are in the company of 6.8 million other people who also need to get places.  You will also quickly notice why Hong Kong is referred to as Asia’s world city.  It has businesses and ex-patriots from all over the world.  It ranks amongst the highest countries for the greatest number of regional headquarters from all over the world.  Hong Kong is an international financial center, which makes it a prime location for companies wanting to do business in Asia.

          Nevertheless, Hong Kong is also known for its night life. 

The prime area for clubbing is Lam Kwai Fong, where popular stars and even Michael Jordan can be seen. It is a perfectly safe environment patrolled by police, and getting a cab is convenient at all hours of the night.  The best part about the area is the variety of cuisines available.  Along one street, one may find Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, Indian, and other assortments of food.  Unfortunately, Tex-Mex is not a popular choice yet, but with so many choices, it will hardly feel like a loss. 

          Another thing about Hong Kong is that there are always festivities to attend.  If you are fortunate to go in the spring semester, Chinese New Year is always a grand celebration (and a good time for sales). 

Fireworks along Victoria Harbor should not be missed.   There are also winterfest, the lantern festival, bun festival, and several other festivities that you will not want to miss.

          Altogether, Hong Kong is a safe and vibrant special administrative region of China.  You will get a taste of both Eastern and Western cultures, without the hassles of traveling all over Asia and Europe.  But, of course, feel free to travel around Asia once you are in HK.  There are special rates for traveling in Asia.  I was fortunate enough to travel to Taiwan, Thailand, Macau, and Guangzhou during my stay.

My advice to anyone studying abroad in HK is to take advantage of every moment and expand your horizons by delving straight into the culture.  You won’t regret it!

Any other information can be found at:

www.info.gov.hk

www.discoverhongkong.com

 

or email jsheng@austincollege.edu