If I by some miracle find myself adjusted to the food here, don't expect me to ever return back to America. Unfortunately, HK still doesn't have Chipotle and I haven't found tacos here yet, so I would not worry too much.
I love it here. I haven't even been here a full week and I am already in love with the city, the people (locals & other exchange) and the fact that I have so much time left. I have already made great friends and great memories and this is only week 1. I came into HK a little bit blind and not with many expectations, good or bad. I knew it was going to be incredible and I would meet new people and try new things and see beautiful sights but nothing prepared me for what I am actually experiencing now. There was a bit of a culture shock. The food is definitely the biggest adjustment for me. Octopus, pigs' feet and uncooked beef are all common foods here. I have already tried and veto'd two of the three but there is still time to experiment so we will see. Another thing that is much different is the transportation system. I am pretty sure half of this city is underground but we can get anywhere by walking through the subway station or by taking the subway. Even though I find myself lost the majority of the time, transportion is extremely convenient and very easy to explore the city with (when I go with people who know how to find their way around.)
We have started planning some trips outside of HK and plenty in the city so the adventures have only begun. Here are a few of my favorite moments from the past week:
I love it here. I haven't even been here a full week and I am already in love with the city, the people (locals & other exchange) and the fact that I have so much time left. I have already made great friends and great memories and this is only week 1. I came into HK a little bit blind and not with many expectations, good or bad. I knew it was going to be incredible and I would meet new people and try new things and see beautiful sights but nothing prepared me for what I am actually experiencing now. There was a bit of a culture shock. The food is definitely the biggest adjustment for me. Octopus, pigs' feet and uncooked beef are all common foods here. I have already tried and veto'd two of the three but there is still time to experiment so we will see. Another thing that is much different is the transportation system. I am pretty sure half of this city is underground but we can get anywhere by walking through the subway station or by taking the subway. Even though I find myself lost the majority of the time, transportion is extremely convenient and very easy to explore the city with (when I go with people who know how to find their way around.)
We have started planning some trips outside of HK and plenty in the city so the adventures have only begun. Here are a few of my favorite moments from the past week:
- Touring Hotel Icon, the hotel attached to the SHTM, the hospitality school I study in. The hotel is the second best hotel in Hong Kong and just from the tour you can tell that the service quality is incredible. I automatically realized just how much I will learn about hospitality while abroad.
- Seeing the city from Victoria's Peak. I would say hiking it but the hiking part was terrible. But the view from the top was absolutely breathtaking. Seeing the city that I live in for the next five months lit up at night was absolutely amazing.
- Mong Kok. Imagine China Town...in China. We found the ladies' market and expect to become very good at bartering. We have decided to go to the market weekly.
- Many of the exchange students went to watch horse racing in Happy Valley last Wednesday night. You can bet on the horses, which is the only thing that makes the racing exciting but it was an experience nonetheless. A few of us were dancing on the stage and apparently made it on to television. I didn't expect that to happen so it wasn't on my bucket list, but now I can put it on and check it off.
- Call me cheesy but my favorite thing I have done all week is meeting the exchange students. Everyone is so nice and genuine and knows how to have a good time. I have already made many wonderful friends and memories and we are going to have an incredible semester together.