5 lessons (volume 3)
1. I used to judge international students for segregating themselves into nationality groups rather than integrate with everyone else, which I now recognise as totally unfair. On first arrival in Hong Kong, I shared a taxi to CUHK with two other exchange students: one Australian, and one European. I became friends with the former, and don’t even remember the name of the latter anymore. There are two generalisations to be made here. The first is that the activities exchange students are involved in, such as going out and travelling are biased against meeting local students. The second, I can’t really explain, but a disproportionate amount of friends I’ve made in Hong Kong are from Australia like me. From talking to a friend from China, I’ve realised that despite having professional fluency in English, they still feel a barrier to communication. Similarly, from my interactions with Hong Kongers, it’s clear that a small fraction of them are reluctant to use English. The point is, I was wrong.
2. I’ve always considered myself an Australian, although I am ethnic Chinese. But being in China has made me further downplay my ethnicity, because I don’t fit in there. I don’t understand the culture, the customs and often even the language (though not for lack of trying). A lot of exchange students who come to Hong Kong are ethnic Chinese, most of whom speak Cantonese (which I don’t). I think it’s been interesting learning to see through that, to see them as not Chinese, just as I want to be seen.
3. A couple of months ago, I remember a friend lamenting that everyone he knew was travelling overseas, while he wasn’t. For a short time before that, I felt similarly. But don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t feel pressured to travel. Do what you want.
4. Lee Woo Sing has become more of a home to me than I could have ever expected. I regret not bringing my notebook stand (to raise the height of the screen to a more ergonomic height). Put in the effort to make your room your home, because you’re living in it for four months. Besides, when you return from a hectic long weekend overseas, you want a home to return to, not temporary accommodation.
5. Do not rely on the green mini-buses during peak hour. I watched a dozen that were full go by over an hour before giving up.
Bonus: the sprinkler pipes in every room are great for hanging clothes. Use two clothes hangers to hang a towel. 😉
